“Hot tub.”
At Malcolm’s words, she popped her eyes open and in the reflection of the mirror below her saw steam rising.
Malcolm’s face interrupted her view. “Ready?” His lip quirked up in amusement.
She’d love to wipe the smug look off his face, but she was far too content to do anythingabout it. “Whenever you are.”
He chuckled before disappearing from view.
The next moment she was phased, floated into the tub and solidified in his arms. She sighed. There was no place she’d rather be.
~~*~~
Holly felt Cameron’s arms around her and her heart sighed. His distinctive clove scent filled her nostrils and his hard body kept her safe like it used to.
“You’re far too enticingwhile phased like myself.” He pushed her back, shaking his head. “Let me take you home.”
Her heart ached at his rejection, though she knew in her mind he feared becoming a ghost because they had such a strong connection. Still, it hurt.
He didn’t look at her, but grabbed her hand and brought them into the gray ether she didn’t like. Luckily, it was a short trip.
As soon as they landed in theiroverly-decorated living room, he solidified her, making it impossible for them to touch again. That just hurt more. Tired of being taken through an emotional rollercoaster, she needed answers. “Cam, did you know Ethan was in love with me?”
“Not at first.”
She raised her brows. “When?”
He didn’t look at her when he answered. “After Coco and Ian visited you.”
She crossed her arms as that betrayalwas added to her heart. “She knew and didn’t tell me?”
“Yes. I think she wanted to tell you, but Ian didn’t think you were ready.”
“How could I ever be ready with that news?” She threw her hands up. “At least if they had told me, I wouldn’t have been such a bad friend this last year.”
He snapped his gaze to hers at that. “What would you have done?”
Knowing he loved me? What could she do?It wasn’t like she could love him back. The image of Ethan sprawled on his couch flitted through her mind, causing her heart to squeeze.
She pushed the picture away. She was Cameron’s wife. “I don’t know what I would have done, but at least I wouldn’t have avoided him and caused what I did. Do you know Sophia Dunlap is going to trick him into believing he’s the father of a baby by her?”
Henodded. “I knew it was a possibility. Only spirits from the actual future can give probabilities. The rest just see many alternative scenarios and use the ones that will help the most.”
“Did you also know that if I can’t move on and have a…a…” She was still in shock over seeing herself with a son. How could she tell her husband there was a possibility that she would fall in love with someoneelse and have a baby?This future has a forty percent chance of happening.Malcolm’s words kept her from continuing.
There was also a forty percent chance she’d be isolated. She had to find an alternate path.
Cam had floated closer. “What is it, love? What did they show you that you’re so afraid of?”
She waved him off. “What they showed me were only forty percent possible scenarios. But Malcolmsaid that if I didn’t move on with my life, as in living for me instead of waiting for your visits, that we wouldn’t be allowed to be together after I die. Is that true?”
He floated toward the fireplace. Even in life, that was his thinking spot. But what did he have to think about? He brushed his hair off his forehead. “The truth is, I don’t know. Malcolm could be right. Because you’re my wife,I’m not privy to the parameters. I’m just trying to help you live a fulfilling life without me. I want us to be together again, but I don’t want it to be rushed. You deserve to be happy.”
“Cam, Iamhappy. I have the shop and my friends and I get to see you once a year. That’s enough.”
He shook his head. “No, I don’t think it is. I think I may have messed up again. In trying to help you andassuage my own guilt, I may have put our happiness in jeopardy again.”
His frustration had him fisting his hands. That had always been a sure sign that a rash decision was next. Frantic to avoid that, she latched on to something else Malcolm said. “Oh, I was going to let Malcolm tell you, but I can. I think it will help.”
