light. “It’s on my to-visit list. Not sure I want to consider the cost of doing international business, or of property there, but I’d definitely take a vacation or three.”
“Take lots of pictures.” I pushed out the casual words instead of the make sure you take me that wanted to force its way out. “How’s New Orleans?” Best to change the subject now, before I said something I couldn’t take back.
“I have a confession to make.”
I didn’t call to give you a tour. The flirting is just to loosen you up for business.
It was easier to ignore my doubts than I expected. “I’m listening.”
“I don’t ever do touristy things when I travel for business,” Owen said. “But I wanted to give you more than just a description of the view from my hotel, especially since I’m facing a brick wall, so last night I agreed to go on a ghost tour with the couple who manages the shop here.”
“You did that just for me?” I was flattered, and only a little skeptical.
“Absolutely.”
“You didn’t enjoy it at all.”
“It was ludicrous. Superstition, hokey myths... Fuck. You don’t believe, do you?”
I was amused by his sudden concern. “I’m not sure. Maybe, maybe not. But that doesn’t answer my question. Did you enjoy it?”
“Technically you didn’t ask a question. But yes, it was entertaining as hell.”
I settled onto my bed, back against the headboard and pillow in my lap. “Tell me about it.”
I listened as he described the buildings, the legends, and some of the ghosts who were said to haunt the various stops they made. He gave vivid details of the architecture and folklore, but seemed to have an instinct for not lingering too long on any one thing.
I was captivated. Though honestly, I probably would have been captivated if he’d read me a croissant recipe.
“And there was a tarot reader at the end of the tour. I had to pick a card, of course,” he said.
I grinned. “Of course.” I’d always been fascinated by tarot cards and fortune telling. Luna could read them, and she’d had me pick a card a few times, but I was firmly in the it may or may not be real camp. “What card did you get? What does your future hold?”
“Three of swords,” Owen said. “Apparently it has something to do with romantic betrayal.”
As in, I’d betray him? A shiver ran through me, and I hugged the pillow. “That’s haunting.”
“Good thing I don’t believe.” Owen sounded unfazed. “Fuck. Don’t tell Kingston I’m talking shit about this stuff.”
Curious. Not enough to wipe the tarot reading from my mind, but a good distraction. “Okay, one, why not, and two what makes you think I’m talking to Kingston?”
“Because he told me. And because he does believe.”
Somehow I wasn’t surprised that they held such a deep-seated belief in opposition, but were friends in spite of it. “The two of you are close.” Duh. But were Owen and I close enough he’d give me more of an answer than before about his relationship with Kingston?
“I love him.” Owen said the words with all the assurance of a man who wasn’t terrified of being called less-than-masculine. So, so sexy.
But did he mean the same thing I heard? “When you say love, is this a romantic thing or more familial? Have you told Kingston? Because what the two of you have is a little more than occasional benefits.”
Owen sighed. “That’s a lot to answer at once.”
“And best done with emotion, not logic,” I teased.
“Ouch.”
“Another emotion. Good job.” I made sure my tone conveyed playfulness rather than trying to shut him down.
Owen chuckled dryly. “Yeah, the two of you bring that out in me. But... I don’t have the kinds of answers I think you want. I love him. I’d do most anything for him. I’ve never specifically used those words with him.”
“Maybe tell him, instead of making excuses to be with him through a third party?” Given I had been—was still?—that third party, was I talking myself out of... something more? Of all the things I was worried about when it came to them, that wasn’t on the list.
“I don’t make excuses,” Owen said. “If I want sex, I ask for sex.”
So I’d seen. The heat of memory flushed my skin. “Sex, yes. You’re very skilled at sex and asking for it. I meant the rest.”
Another sigh. “This is going to sound melodramatic, but Kingston and I saved each other.”
Interesting detour, but I didn’t mind. Each glimpse into their pasts made them more