Page 73 of The Haunting of Lockton

“Yes.”

A smile bloomed on Skyler’s face. It was a bit smug, though I didn’t know why. “Good to know.”

The reason hit me, and I couldn’t resist the urge to poke at him a little. “Well, hewasmy first kiss.”

“What?” Skyler snapped to attention, his smugness squashed.

I snorted a laugh.

“Are you fucking with me right now?”

“Yes and no.” I released another small laugh. His jealousy was pretty damn adorable. “Alanwasmy first kiss, but I was the one who initiated it. He turned me down. Kindly but firm, making his stance clear. So I guess you could say he was also my first heartbreak.”

“Ah, heartbreak,” Skyler said. “Can’t say I’ve ever experienced it. I’ve never let anyone get close enough to my heart to break it.”

The tension from our argument had lifted. An argument that was one thousand percent my fault.

“I’m sorry for what I said earlier.” I dropped my gaze to his hand and placed mine over his, noting the warmth of his skin. Everything about him was warm. “You’re not just a fun timeto me, Skyler. I really do like you. A lot.”

“Yeah.” He swallowed hard and stared at our joined hands. He turned his palm up and slid our fingers together. “I feel the same.”

“I’m not used to this,” I said, my voice dropping in volume.

“Used to what?”

“Liking someone this much.” The admission amped up my anxiety and made me feel so vulnerable. “I don’t leave my comfort zone often. It’s safer that way. So, I keep to myself. Opening up to people gives them a chance to hurt me. It’s easier to fade into the background.”

“I’d still see you,” he said. “Fade all you want. Be a wallflower. But even in a crowded room, my eyes would still find yours.”

Dear fucking god. Heat bristled in my cheeks. “You can’t say things like that. I wasn’t ready.”

“You have to prepare yourself for romance?” Skyler cracked that heart-stopping smile. “Swoon and spice and everything nice?”

“Stop teasing me.” That heat traveled to the tips of my ears. “You’re such a playboy.”

“Maybe I am.” His eyes softened. “But you’re making me break my own rules.”

Hope budded in my chest, but I forced it back down. “I’m breaking mine too. In case you haven’t realized it, I’m not exactly a social butterfly.”

“Yeah, I’d say you’re more like a feisty moth that flutters around smacking people with its little wings.” Skyler’s lopsided grin stole my breath. He was too damn handsome.

I tried for a laugh, but it got stuck at the base of my throat. “A feisty moth, huh? What does that make you, then?”

“Probably that derpy chicken fromMoana. Or a horny toad.”

“The toad,” I said. “Definitely.”

Alan returned to the living room, still trying to seem as human as possible, using his legs instead of his ghostly abilities. “Coffee’s ready.”

“Thank you,” I told him, not only referring to the coffee. I knew he had stepped away to give us privacy to talk.

When I stood from the couch, Skyler kept hold of my hand and walked with me to the kitchen. The prolonged physical contact tempted that hope again in my chest, the bud so close to blossoming. I gently squeezed his hand before letting go.

Best not to add fuel to the fire. The burn was already going to hurt enough.

“Hungry?” I asked and poured a mug of coffee for him, then one for myself.

“Always.” Skyler accepted the mug. “Thanks.”