Page 94 of The Ghost of Ellwood

And in love with the person who inspired it.

Theo didn’t say much over dinner, but he was present—and visible—which meant a lot to me. At times, I caught him studying Carter with a pained expression. Carter would laugh, and Theo’s eyes would flash to him. Then, his shock would transition to sadness. He’d mentioned that Carter looked a lot like Harvey, but it didn’t hit me until then how hard it must be for him to be around my friend.

After dinner, we went into the living room. I popped the cork on a bottle of wine and poured us each a glass. Theo raised his brows when I handed one to him.

“I can’t,” he said dejectedly.

“Have you tried?” Carter asked. “You might not be able to taste it as well as you do on Halloween or whatever, but you might still like it.”

Theo glanced between the two of us before accepting the glass. Doubt clouded his features as he lifted the wine to his lips. After he took a drink, the lines marring his forehead smoothed out and he smiled. “The flavor is dulled, but I can still taste it a bit.”

“See? Carter was right.” I placed a hand on Theo’s leg.

“I’m never wrong.”

“I beg to differ,” I countered.

“No one asked you, Benny boy,” Carter shot back.

Theo chuckled and sipped more wine. Just the fact he was able to sit with us and drink was a huge success. I wanted him to feel like he fit in. He had been on the outside looking in for way too long.

Carter clicked a playlist on his phone for background music and cuddled into the armchair beside the couch, taking a gulp of wine. He’d chosen movie score soundtracks, and the first song was fromHarry Potter.

“Have you heard from the mysterious Z?”

“Nope,” Carter answered, huffing. “That bastard. I mean, we didn’t exactly talk much, but the sex was mind-blowing.”

“Z?” Theo asked.

“That’s what he told me to call him.” Carter rolled his eyes. “I was dumb for thinking he actually liked me. Probably what I get for meeting him at the mad house.”

“You met him at Redwood Manor?” Theo was intrigued.

“Why did your face just do that thing?” Carter asked, pointing at him. “You had one of thoseahamoments. Do share.”

“Well.” Theo’s gaze fell to his glass. “If you met him at Redwood…are you sure he’s not one of the spirits who haunt the halls of the mansion?”

The shock on Carter’s face was comical. It was as if he hadn’t even considered the notion. “No fucking way. It’s impossible. I would’ve known if he was a ghost. Right? I, like, touched him.”

“Ben touches me,” Theo casually said. “Was his skin cold?”

“Kind of. When I met him in the ballroom and he brushed his fingers on my cheek, I noticed a bit of a chill, but he could just have poor circulation. My granny had that, you know, and it makes your hands and feet like ice.”

I coughed into my glass as I laughed mid-sip.

“Don’t laugh at me, Ben.” Carter looked mortified. “Holy shit. Do you think Z is a ghost? Really?”

“You saw him on Halloween night, yeah?” I asked, and he nodded. “Maybe that’s why you haven’t heard from him since. He isn’t allowed to leave the property.”

His green eyes looked as though they were moments from popping out of his head. “Guess I won’t be seeing him again then. I’m not going anywhere near that fucking place a second time.”

“Why?” I asked. I knew Redwood Manor was thought to be cursed and everything, but Carter hadn’t had any strange occurrences while there. Not like I had.

“I don’t want to risk seeingher,” he responded, shaking his head. “And if I would’ve known the legend about her at the time, I wouldn’t have gone to your signing, either, dude. No offense.”

“What legend? Who’sher?”

“Lady Death,” Carter said, eyes still wide. “They say she only shows herself to people on death’s list. Like an omen of your impending doom or some shit. I ain’t chancing it.”