The doubtful part of my brain wondered if it was just because Edgar was curious about humans. But he already had a human friend, Bert. So humans weren't a completely novel experience to him.
And I couldn't shake the sweet way Edgar spoke to me. He had such a way with words. It made my heart flutter every time he said something kind—which was often. I was pretty sure Edgar complimented me more in an hour than anyone else did in my whole life.
As we stepped out of the house and into the cold evening air, I shivered. Edgar frowned.
“You should wear a heavier coat,” he said, worried.
“I know…” I sighed. “I've been meaning to buy one, but my channel's been under performing, so I don't really have the money. Everything I have goes to rent, then food. There's not much left over. Even my ghost hunting equipment could use an upgrade, but…”
I shrugged and let my statement trail off. I didn't want to throw a pity-party.
Edgar's frown deepened. Concern etched into his translucent features. He looked like he wanted to say something, but I cut him off.
“It's okay, really,” I promised, putting on a smile. “I'll be fine. I always am, in the end. Hey, can I get some help with this gate?”
That distracted Edgar from his well-meaning concern.
“Ah, yes. The gate.” He swooped towards the iron fencing. The brick he'd sneakily moved earlier still laid on the other side of it. Edgar put his wispy hand on top of the gate. “Allow me, dear Mel.”
I swallowed a tiny noise of surprise. It always pleasantly took me off guard when he called me that. Itwasa term of endearment he used with all of his friends, right?
But Edgar himself admitted he didn't have too many friends. The only one I knew about was Bert. I felt a sting of jealousy imagining a scenario in which Edgar called Bert “dear”...
The gate swung open.
“Ta da!” Edgar announced. “You are now free to leave. With me, of course.”
“Of course,” I repeated, smiling. “I wouldn't dream of leaving you behind, Edgar.”
He mirrored my smile, which sent a velvety tingle down my spine.
Ugh, I was ridiculous. I couldnothave a crush on Edgar. We'd only just met! Besides, there was no way he'd be interested in a boring, poor omega like me. I had nothing to offer him.
I pulled myself together before I got sucked into the moping whirlpool. It was Halloween night and I was hanging out with a handsome alpha phantasm, for god's sake. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I wasn't going to waste.
“Thank you, kind phantasm,” I said playfully as I walked past the gate Edgar held open.
Then I remembered how strange that was. Edgarcouldinteract with physical objects, but he hadn't once tried to touch me. But why would he? People didn't just go around touching each other, and I shouldn't assume phantasms did either. It made no sense for Edgar to touch a random human he just met. Still, that didn't stop me from feeling disappointed that he hadn't tried.
Okay, now you're being silly,I scolded myself.
Edgar let the gate swing shut on its own, then floated beside me with the phantasm version of a pep in his step. His disposition was bright and cheery, and it rubbed off on me. It was easy to forget all my nagging doubts and anxiety when I was with him.
“Beautiful night, isn't it?” Edgar remarked, gazing up at the black sky.
“It really is,” I murmured. “Did you know Halloween is my favorite day of the whole year?”
Edgar grinned. “Is it? How adorable.”
My ears turned hot. “Why is that adorable?”
“It's so veryyou. You're interested in the paranormal, so it makes perfect sense.”
Damn, he was perceptive.
“O-oh. Right.” I rubbed the back of my head. “What about you, Edgar? How do you feel about Halloween?”
He stroked his chin. “Well, I had no strong feelings about it until tonight. My Halloweens are spent the same as every other night, except they tend to be lonelier since my friend, Bert, is forced to work.”
