Spooky Business (The Spectral Files #3) - S.E. Harmon Page 0,114

other hand.

“Ask me,” I insisted. The sooner he asked, the sooner I could say yes. He was already mine, and I was already his, but I wanted the words. And I wanted that ring back on my finger.

“You know, they say that life is a series of highs and lows. That you can't enjoy day without night, or happiness without experiencing sadness. I used to think that was bunk until you left for DC.” He smiled, almost self-deprecatingly. “I've experienced life with you and life without you, and I can honestly say that only one of those is even worth contemplating. That’s what this ring is about. I love you, Rain. And I want everyone to know it.”

He slipped the ring back on my finger, and we both stared at it for a second. “So... will you?”

I was so choked up for a minute I couldn't get anything out. My mouth moved without words. Figures. Here I was, experiencing the most beautiful moment of my life, and I looked like a dog eating a spoonful of peanut butter.

His brow furrowed as my lengthy silence extended. “You don't have to say yes. I know it's just a piece of paper, but—”

His rambling finally knocked the sense back into me. “Yeah.” My hand tightened on his. A million times yes.

“I didn't say everything I wanted to say.”

“You said enough.”

He hugged me tightly, and I couldn’t breathe for a few seconds. I didn't ask him to let up, though. And then I heard the clapping. Slow clapping. I sighed, glancing at Brian and Ellen over Danny’s shoulder.

Ellen wiped at her eyes. “Beautiful,” she said. “Just beautiful.”

“They make such a cute couple,” Brian agreed.

Maybe they weren’t half bad. In fact, they were kind of sweet. Before I could say so, things took a turn for the awkward. “Do you think they swing?” Ellen asked thoughtfully. “I’d bang the tall one.”

“Get out,” I said, waving a hand. “You know when office hours are.” I paused. “And I’m bangable, too.”

“I concur,” Brian said with a leer.

Ellen lifted a shoulder. “You’re invited, of course.”

That’s hell no on the ghost orgy. “Out,” I said firmly.

For the first time in a long while, Danny didn’t flinch at the mention of ghosts. He just squeezed me tighter. “I don’t even want to know.”

The sound of another car pulling up in the drive brought us back to reality. I pulled back and rose, feeling strangely emotional. All those damned things he’d said. God, when he wanted to, Danny was a fucking technician when it came to breaking down my walls.

It was my turn to say something romantic and wonderful.

I cleared my throat. “Should we hit that Arby’s now? I’ve got a coupon.”

He sent me an amused look. “Really?”

“We’ve got to eat, don’t we?”

“I guess that’s a good idea.”

“I know.” I winked. “I’m full of them. And now you get to hear my spectacular ideas for the rest of our lives.”

He didn’t laugh as I expected. He looked up at me with eyes so beautifully blue, a wealth of emotion in his gaze. It was everything true and pure and real between us. “I can’t fucking wait.”

The feeling was definitely mutual.

Chapter 30

It took me a week before I was ready to start up office hours again. Brian and Ellen were the first to arrive, clutching several treasure maps in their hands. I turned them right back around and told them to think of real unfinished business. Something that didn’t involve gold bullion at the bottom of the ocean.

By the time noon rolled around, I had a list of things to do that spanned five pages, front and back. Dakota called me during a lull, and we chatted for a while—actually, he did most of the chatting. I did a lot of listening while I put him on speakerphone so I could check emails. We had another session in a few days, but he had some thoughts about energy transference that he wanted to share immediately.

Danny was in the bedroom, pretending to rest. It was taking his body a little bit to catch up with his will, and I was trying my best to be patient as he pushed his recovery. He was off for two weeks at Tate’s insistence, and on desk duty for a few weeks after that. Needless to say, he was slowly going out of his mind.

The biggest change in our situation was the new addition to the family. Danny was still on the fence about it. He’d shuffled