is so sweet of you. I know he’ll appreciate it.” I tightened my embrace on Callahan.
I tried to hide my disappointment from him. After all, it wasn’t fair for me to ask him not to do something like that. All my time would be taken up with the show for a few days, then I’d be back at the store and who knew what haunted house next. But when would we see each other? My show business career was only going to last my allotted fifteen minutes. How would I fill in my free time after that? I knew that meant a whole lot of pole fitness classes for me. Heaven help me.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he said, “Don’t worry, I’m not leaving Magnolia and I’m not quitting the shop either.”
Whew. That was a relief.
“Like I said, I have extra time after the shop closes, but since you’ve got your new gig, well, we don’t have a lot of time together. I just thought I’d find a hobby, I guess.” He touched my chin with his index finger.
This was all very sudden. I’d only just found out about the show. Something didn’t add up for me.
“I’m sorry, Callahan, I didn’t mean to ignore you. It’s just that an opportunity such as this doesn’t come along often.” I looked down at my sneakers.
“No. I know it doesn’t, that’s why I’m glad you’re doing it. I’m so proud of you.” He flashed his bright smile.
I blushed. “Thank you.”
“I don’t want you to feel badly. I want you to do this. I’ll help Mike until you’re finished, by then he’ll have a good handle on things.”
Well, I guessed that wasn’t such a bad thing. I could handle that. Just a few days and things would be back to normal.
Callahan leaned down and kissed me. Elvis was sitting at the table with his arms folded across his chest and feet propped up in the chair across from him.
“Please stop the kissing. You’re going to make me gag,” Candy Cherry said.
“Yeah, get a room,” Mr. Fine added.
I wished I had a dial to tune them out. Callahan lifted my chin with his finger to meet his gaze. “Things will slow down for us soon. And I can’t wait.”
“Me too.” I smiled.
“So, when do you start the show?” he asked.
I sighed. “First thing in the morning and I’m really nervous.”
“I know you’ll do great. Break a leg.”
I never liked that saying. I was always afraid it would lead to the person really breaking their leg.
“I’ll see you tonight?” Callahan asked.
I nodded. “Yeah, I’ll see you later.” He kissed me again lightly on the lips.
Another groan from the ghosts came from over my shoulder.
Chapter Seventeen
After leaving Full Cup, I shuffled over to Book Nook. Elvis and Mr. Fine were following me, but once again, I’d lost Candy Cherry. She had a habit of slipping off, not that I was complaining. I was convinced her sole mission was to make me miserable.
Still feeling strange, I went through my normal duties on autopilot. Books needed to be shelved, orders needed to be placed, and I had a deadline to submit a coupon for the local paper, which I’d yet to work up. A few customers wandered in, but luckily they didn’t need any help, because I wasn’t sure I’d be any help. My mind was full of fog.
I’d just settled down behind the counter to do some computer work when Mr. Fine and Candy Cherry popped up in front of me. Where had they been? I looked at them with a suspicious eye. Mr. Fine floated off without uttering a snarky comment, but Candy Cherry sidled up next to me.
“Why so glum, chum? It couldn’t be that you’re a lousy girlfriend?” she asked.
“That comment is completely unnecessary, Candy Cherry. And when are you going to tell me your real name?”
“That is my real name!” Her eyes narrowed and she clenched her fists.
I shrugged. “If you say so.”
Why was she asking about my feelings anyway? It wasn’t as if she cared. She was only rubbing my misery into my face like a big cream pie.
“I heard your conversation with Callahan. He’s done with you. He told you as much, only you put on your rose-colored glasses and didn’t listen to the man.”
I wouldn’t let her get inside my head—that was exactly what she wanted.
“Since you’re dead, I’m sure you’re an expert on dating, so thanks for the advice,” I said sarcastically. I could be nasty too.