“Yeah, I don’t think many fathers are happy about a kid backing into the garage. So, what other trouble did you get into when you were a kid?”
Avery grinned. “God, I became obsessed with finding sunken treasure. I read stories about shipwrecks along the coast ofMaryland and Virgina, and I used to ask my dad to take me to the beach so I could search for treasure.
“We used to make a family trip to Chesapeake Beach for a weekend, or we’d go to Virginia Beach later in the summer. I’d dig in the sand and find nothing, but every time we went, there was the chance Imightfind something. It was fun, and I loved the idea that there might be a treasure out there that waited for me to find it.”
“And did you?”
The cute grin and the flushed cheeks of Avery Langhorn mesmerized me. “Naw, but it was fun to try.”
I squeezed his hand. “It sounds like a great time.”
The server brought our food, and we dug in. She put Ossie’s order on the floor, and he went nuts as he began wolfing down the eggs, sausage, and cheese.
Avery wasn’t wrong. The food was delicious, though there was something going on that I couldn’t figure out. Why did it feel as though Avery had become very important to me?
I was parked in front of Avery’s house after our nice lunch. He’d had a few beers, so I brought him home, having switched to club soda after my first lager. It seemed Avery needed to blow off some stream, though I had no idea why. If I could help, I’d be more than happy.
“You’re already too kind to me. I’m fine, Holden.”
I hopped out of the truck and walked around to the passenger side, opening his door. After we arrived at his building, I lifted Oscar from his lap and put him in the back floorboard before walking him to his door.
“I’m sorry. I had too much to drink. I don’t usually do it, but I’ve got a lot on my mind. It was nice to meet you, Holden, but I won’t bother you again.”
My chest pounded. “Why? I thought we could—”
“We could what?” Avery asked as he tuned to stare at me.
“Uh, maybe we could go out for breakfast tomorrow morning?” I wanted to see him again.
Avery pushed in a code and opened the lobby door. “Tomorrow won’t work for me, but I’ll call you sometime.”
When he closed the door, I knew he didn’t mean it.
Chapter Ten
Avery
“You’re an idiot! Why the hell did you just blow off my brother?”Happy was back, which was a weird relief.
Of course, she was already going at me full throttle for running like a coward from Holden. My fear was that he thought I was a damsel in distress, which I wasn’t.
And now she’d confessed that Holden was actually her brother. My head was spinning so fast I couldn’t form coherent sentences.
“Your brother?You’re brother?Happy, you’ve got to tell me the truth. What is going on? What dragged you out of the restaurant, and where did it take you?”
I’d just stepped out of the shower after I’d stupidly brushed off Holden Rose because I had no idea what to do with the hot, hunky guy who worked on large machinery—which was sexy as hell—and now I knew he was Happy’s brother. I was tied up in knots about everything going on. Her chastising me didn’t help one bit.
“Okay, slow down. I picked up a stalker who fell in love with me when he saw me in the waiting room after I died. He’d already been judged and went,” she pointed to the floor, “but he broke out, and now he’s obsessed with me. It’s close to time for me to make some decisions, and my stalker, Hal the serial killer, wants me to spend eternity in Hell with him.
“I mean, he’s cute and all, but I don’t know that we’re a good fit, you know? When I was alive, Holden used to tell me I wasn’t looking for a boyfriend, I was looking for a project, which I guess was true. Hal definitely fits that description.”
Wtf? “Do you want to spend an eternity in hell?” I felt crazy even asking the question.
“It might not be so bad if I had the right partner. I’m not really a violent person, and Hal has a quick temper, which he uses as an excuse for killing eight women, though he can’t hurt me in his current state. The other guy with the dogs who came throughthe restaurant is one of the demon guards from the underworld who keep the baddies inside. He and his hell hounds are hunting for Hal to take him back. Those hounds are really adorable when they’re not on the trail of an escapee. EZ is one of the nicer demons.”
“Thatissomething to consider. Eight women? You can’t be serious that you’d consider spending eternity with someone who killed eight women, would you? Oh, turn around, please.” I quickly wrapped the towel around myself and walked out of the bathroom and into my bedroom to dress.
“I can see through the towel, you know. You’ve got a cute little tushy. I’m sure my brother would love to take a bite out of those sweet cheeks. You’ve gotta call him tomorrow.” She giggled.
