Ghosts paired off. Some got together easily—others required hesitant invitations and shy acceptances.
For a moment, Slate thought Gary had done it, but then he saw Thomas and Oliver still rooted in place. They watched others pair up, but didn’t move. Slate debated whether he andDash needed to stage an intervention, but then Gary and Cain appeared beside his friends.
Gary said something, and Cain nodded. Thomas and Oliver startled and then shook their heads. Thomas spoke, but this time Gary and Cain shook their heads. Cain put a hand behind Thomas, and Gary did the same with Oliver. They moved the pair of wallflowers away from their place and guided them gently—mostly—to the dance floor.
Faced with causing a scene or doing what they were told, Thomas and Oliver allowed themselves to be moved toward an open space among other couples dancing.
Their escorts left them, and the pair looked mortified. They stared at each other, and Slate felt a little sorry for them. Finally, Thomas took a tentative step forward, closing the already limited space between them.
Oliver raised his right hand at the same time Thomas did the same. They switched in unison, still flailing at the simple action. Visibly frustrated, Thomas motioned for Oliver to stop, held out his hand, and Oliver smiled as he accepted.
The music continued around them as they figured out what to do next. Other couples swayed and turned, but generally avoided Thomas and Oliver. When Oliver moved in what loosely passed for a dance move, Thomas followed. Soon, the pair were twisting in time with the music.
Once they were past the awkward first seconds, they visibly relaxed. Smiles emerged, and as if a dam had burst, they laughed together.
After a minute, their movements caused Oliver to fall toward Thomas. They stared at each other for a second, and time stood still for Slate.
“Do it,” he whispered.
“They will,” Dash answered.
As if he’d heard Slate, Thomas leaned in a little. Oliver did the same, and they kissed.
Finally.
The other couples kept dancing while the band played, and Cass kept singing. There was no drama. No spotlight to embarrass them with attention. It was their perfect moment.
“Well, Gary came through,” Dash said, pressing his shoulder against Slate’s. “Guess this will be another Halloween tradition at Blackwood Manor.”
Slate leaned into Dash, watching Thomas and Oliver kiss as they swayed to the music. They were oblivious to everyone around them, which was right. It was their moment. “They look happy.”
“It’s about time,” Dash said. “But let’s not turn this into yet another Halloween tradition.”
He knew Dash was joking, but the humor hid a hint of fear. “Tell me seeing them happy doesn’t make you feel good.”
“I’m really glad for them,” Dash said. “But tellmeyou’reready for another nine months of two forlorn ghosts moping around like puppies who can’t find their mom. Because that’s what’ll happen if word gets out and we become a supernatural dating agency.”
Dash tended to go big on the drama, but this time he wasn’t wrong. It had been hard to watch Thomas and Oliver circle each other, waiting for the other to make their interest crystal clear. He definitely didn’t want to live through that every year. “Do you really think that will happen?”
“Pretty sure it will if we don’t control the narrative.”
The realization gave him chills. Gary would telleveryoneabout what a groovy and righteous party it had been. In those tellings, he’d almost surely talk about how he helped Thomas and Oliver find love, and it was all because of the party. Next year’s party would be bigger than this year’s. Some spirits wouldcome looking for the same magic Thomas and Oliver found, but even more would come to watch. It was going to be a nightmare.
“Is it too late to sell the house and move to Poughkeepsie?”
Epilogue
“They washed even did the dishes?” Dash asked. “Andput them away?”
Slate stifled a yawn. They’d gotten up early to clean up, but the ballroom was spotless. He didn’t expect they’d clean the entire manor. “So it seems.”
The kitchen smelled of coffee and baking. On the counter, the coffeepot was full, and two plates of muffins waited to be eaten. All that was missing was a handwritten?—
“It’s from Gary.” Dash waved a piece of paper in the air. “‘Most Awesome Dudes Dash and Slate.’ That has a nice ring to it. ‘Thank you again for an amazing night. Same time next year, but you’ll see me again before October. We cleaned up before we left, and Mama Cass made the muffins for Dash. Gary.’”
Blushing, Dash handed Slate the note. “That was nice of them.”
A twinge of jealousy surprised Slate. There was nothing—there would be nothing between them. Why was he jealous Cass did something for Dash? “Very.”
