Page 48 of The Romantic Agenda

Summer pouts. “Don’t use logic for hauntings. That’s no fun.”

Breakfast arrives shortly after—a giant spread of fresh ingredients and baked goods. The delivery driver wheels a palette into the kitchen and three more into the garage under Malcolm’s strict supervision. He bought enough to last the rest of the trip, making this the only morning delivery.

Once the dining room table is set up, Summer begins piling food onto a plate. She reminds Joy of a guest at a hotel because an air of expectation wafts around her. Of course, breakfast is there. Of course, coffee is ready.Of course.

To be fair, the way she’s acting isn’t all her fault. Malcolm always sets the bar impossibly high. It’s easy to fall into being accustomed to being catered to—Joy would know. But whereas Summer’s excitement yesterday was peppered with thank-yous, they’re non-existent this morning. She’s settled in for the ride.

But Joy promised to try harder.

At the moment, though, she doesn’t think she has it in her to watch them get married someday. Suddenly, Jules’s actions inMy Best Friend’s Weddingdon’t seem so far-fetched anymore. Her tactics were still horrible, but Joy intimately understood the drive behind them now. Incredulity and desperation taking turns repeatedly sucker-punching you. The dawning horror of realization. A frantic voice screeching,You’re going to lose him forever, you stupid woman.

It’s enough to make a person lose all rational control, that’s for sure.

Fox joins them in the dining room not too long after. Joy is sitting at the head of the table this time, and as he passes her he sets something down next to her plate. She picks up the woven circlet threaded with white daises and long-stemmed tiny purple flowers.

Joy is speechless for a full five seconds. “You made me a flower crown?” He went for a walk to go pick flowers and find pliable branches to make her a crown,dear god. This little gesture from Fox completely breaks through her drowning anxiety spiral. She gets up from the table, heading for the giant decorative mirror on the wall. After placing it on her head, she fixes her hair around it. It fits perfectly and looks good enough to be sold in a store. Feeling giddy, she adds, “And it matches my outfit?”

“That’s why I made it,” he grumps.

“Where’s mine?” Summer asks, grinning at him. She punches him gently in the arm when he sits next to her.

“Uh, sorry.”

“Well, thank you,” Joy says, trying to keep her preening under control. “I love it.”

“Hmm.”

“Always so grumpy,” she whispers, watching him. His lipstwitch.

“So,” Summer says, “what are we doing today?”

Malcolm finishes chewing before answering. “We have a couple of reservations for a couple of places I think you’ll like.”

“Can I know what they are?”

“I thought you wanted to be surprised?”

“I do. Sometimes.” Summer picks aggressively at her muffin. “Can I at least know what time we’re leaving?”

“Not too long from now.”

Summer’s smile stays put but her eyes have gone flat, losing some of their shine.

Interesting. Or as Fox would say,Hmm.

“Do I have time to go for a walk?” Summer pushes her plate away. “I want to make sure there’s no residual ghost energy on me by spending some time in nature.”

Fox asks, “Residual ghost energy?”

Joy taps his arm and whispers, “Oh, there was a ghost in Summer’s bathroom this morning. Huge ordeal.” She speaks quickly, not wanting to interrupt what’s happening between Malcolm and Summer.

Malcolm asks, “And how is walking in nature going to help?”

“It clears my mind, gets the blood flowing, burns some energy. That kind of thing,” Summer says. “And I was thinking maybe Joy could come with me.”

Joy chokes on her orange juice. “Me?” she manages through a slight coughing fit.

“I know, I know, you’re not an outdoorsy person, but this trail is really easy. I promise. So do we have time?”