Page 79 of The Curse of Redwood

Ben knew the truth. I told him everything. Taylor had become a trusted friend over the months. Maybe it was time to tell him as well.

“We need to talk,” I said, and my rumbling stomach made up my mind of where we should do it. “Meet me at the café in an hour.”

After disconnecting the call, I stood from the bed and had to brace myself on the wall when a dizzy spell hit. A light, cool pressure touched my back, and I smiled as I leaned against Zeke. My life had been thrown into chaos, but knowing he was beside me helped me feel less afraid.

“Will you return to me after speaking with Taylor?” he asked in a whisper, turning his face into my hair. “And before a sarcastic quip leaves your lips, I’m fully aware of my change of heart. I want you here with me. I will no longer push you away.”

“Good. Because you’re stuck with me.” My smile fell when I remembered what he had confessed earlier. “Will you tell me more about Philip later?”

“Yes,” he answered, pulling away and stepping toward the closed door. He opened it and turned back to me. “There will be no more secrets. Now hurry along. I fear your stomach will devour everything in this house if you do not eat soon.”

He walked me to the back door before grabbing my hand and spinning me to his chest. I released a surprised yelp before being silenced by a kiss. I was really glad ghosts had no sense of smell, because I knew my morning breath was killer.

“Be safe,” he said, caressing my jaw.

“I will.” I pulled from his embrace and opened the back door.

“Farewell, sir!” a small voice exclaimed. I turned to see William standing beside Zeke. He waved. “I’m glad you’re not dead.”

I snorted. “Thanks, William. I appreciate that.”

Zeke watched me with sad eyes, though I saw he tried to smile. He was far more troubled by my situation than he’d led me to believe. Hell, I was troubled by it too. I could’ve very well been possessed by the ghost of his former lover.

Things really didn’t get any more fucked up than that.

After leaving Redwood, I stopped by my house to shower and change into clean clothes. My headache was returning, and I popped some Tylenol and downed a glass of water, hoping it would help. As I drove to the café, I called in to work and asked if I could have some time off. I had all my vacation days saved up and requested to use them. Until I sorted out what was happening to me, I wouldn’t be able to focus on anything else.

“Whatever you need,” my manager said. “I’ve noticed you’ve been off lately. Do what you need to do to get better.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry it’s such short notice.”

“We’ll manage,” she responded. “Just focus on you.”

I had one hell of an awesome boss. With that settled, I then called Ben.

“Hey, lazy bones,” I said, when he answered with a croakyhello. “Get up and get dressed. We’re having breakfast at the café with Taylor.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. I’m gonna tell him about Redwood. But there’s something I need to talk to you about too. It’d be easier if you were both there together.”

“Give me twenty minutes, and I’ll be there.”

Just as I knew he would. Good ole reliable Ben.

“See you soon.”

I disconnected the call and turned down Main Street. My confidence waned the closer I got to the café. What if Taylor thought I was crazy? He’d seen ghosts at Redwood, but he didn’t know I was sexually involved with one of them. Would he think I was a freak?

I parked a block away from the café because of all the foot traffic and unavailable parking spots. Saturdays in Ivy Grove, especially around this time of year, were always super busy with tourists and locals. Halloween was a week away, and people were definitely getting into the spirit.

A man dressed as Dracula walked down the sidewalk, handing out flyers for a costume shop. He handed one to me and smiled, showing off his fake fangs.

“Come visit the Halloween Emporium,” he said in a phony accent only used in cheesy vampire movies. “We vill be honored to ‘ave you.”

“For dinner?” I asked, taking the flyer and looking it over.

He broke character as he laughed. “That’s a good one. I might have to use that.”