The Curse of Redwood (Ivy Grove #2) - Jaclyn Osborn Page 0,104

inside like he’d done it a million times. I got into the driver’s seat and started the engine before turning to him.

“It’s so weird seeing you in my car.”

He laughed. “It’s not the first time, or have you forgotten? Last Halloween, you picked me up from that bar and drove me to your house. However…” He curled his nose as he looked at my backseat. Clothes were strewn everywhere, as well as empty soda cans, bags of chips, and smashed packages of Little Debbie cakes. “I don’t recall it being this much of a mess last time.”

“Don’t judge me, Legolas,” I said, putting the car in reverse and backing up. “To keep from having to leave you so much this week, I crammed a shit load in here. It’s bound to get messy.”

“I was wrong.” He picked up a dirty sock that had been in his floorboard and threw it behind him. “You’d be Sloth instead of Gluttony. Too lazy to pick up your own filth.”

“Yeah, keep talking and I’ll make you walk to the café.”

He responded with a light chuckle and moved his gaze to the window.

Main Street was busy as usual that Saturday morning, but it was even more so because of the holiday. Little kids ran around in costumes, going from store to store in a trick-or-treat event the local shopkeepers were having where the kids had to gather clues. If all clues were found, the kids would win a big bag of candy.

I parked a block from the café, then Zeke and I walked along the sidewalk. He stared in awe at everything we passed. Instead of wearing his vest and waistcoat, he’d worn a black button-up and dark-gray pants. The buttons on his shirt were opened at the top, showing his collarbone.

“Why are you staring?” he asked, sliding his palm against mine as he grabbed my hand.

“A gentleman shouldn’t show his collarbone in public,” I teased. “How inappropriate. You whore.”

He barked out a laugh. “In my day, two men couldn’t hold hands in public either, yet here we are.”

I gently squeezed his fingers as my heart grew wings and threatened to leap from my chest. “You know. I’ve never had a boyfriend. I never really held hands or anything with a guy in public before. It’s mainly been flirty stares from across the bar, followed by hot sex, and then I didn’t see them again. So this,” I glanced at our joined hands, “is new for me too.”

“Are you calling me your boyfriend?”

My face heated. “Um. I don’t know.” I peeked over at him, becoming even more embarrassed when seeing his amused smile. “Do you wanna be?”

“There are many things I wish to be, Carter.” Zeke brought our hands up and kissed my knuckle. “I care not what word we use to say it. I just want to be yours.”

“You are. And I’m yours,” I answered, then swallowed the lump in my throat. “No matter what happens later tonight, that will never change.”

“What if your friends hate me?” he asked, stopping on the sidewalk. “Or look at me like I’m a freak at the circus? What if they find our relationship off putting?”

“They won’t,” I said, slipping my arms around his neck and standing on my tiptoes to give him a kiss. “Ben’s bringing Theo… the ghost I told you about before. They of all people will understand.”

“And the handsome one will be there as well?” Zeke asked with a slight snarl in his voice.

I grinned up at him. “Be nice. Taylor’s a great guy. You’ll see.”

Hand in hand, we continued toward the café, stopping when Zeke wanted to look in the store windows or ask about someone’s costume. He was better adjusted to modern times than I had thought he’d be. Reaching the café, he opened the door for me.

“After you, my sweet,” he said.

I giggled. “You’re such a dork.”

The café was filled with the sounds of silverware clanking against plates, scattered conversations, and sizzling coming from the kitchen where the cooks were frying eggs and bacon. My stomach growled at the smell.

“They’re already here,” I said, nodding to the left where my friends sat at a table positioned away from everyone else. Ben must have worked his magic so we’d have more privacy.

Catching Ben’s eye, I waved. His gaze instantly flickered to Zeke, and his brows shot up. In fact, many people we passed nearly snapped their necks to look at him.

“Why are they staring?” he whispered.

“Because you’re striking,” I answered, bumping his

readonlinefreenovel.com Copyright 2016 - 2024