I take a moment to honor my masterpiece, butjust asI’mready to take a bite, the door swingsopen,and Claudia’s assistant comes in carrying a load of empty trays.
She eyes the cookie I was two seconds from shoving into my mouth and fights a grin. “We usually have extras at the end of the day,” she says as she dumps the trays into the sink. “I’m sure Claudia would let you have some.”
Cringing with embarrassment, I place the cookie back on the table and brush away the sparkly glitter that stuck to my sleeve. “I was just messing around.”
The woman just smileswarmlyand goes back to the front. A few seconds later, Claudia returns.
“You’re decorating?”sheasks. She takes a look at the cookie I claimed and lets out asatisfiedhum. “You know,” she starts,crossing her armsoverher chest, “I could use some extra help around here. Any chanceyou’relooking for a job?”
There’s flour caked under herfingernailsas she taps them against her elbow, and I noticethere’sa clump of icing stuck to her apron.
Ihadn’tthought about needing a job, but Ido. Sure, I can survive without eating(as ifI’dwant to!)and live out the rest of my afterlife in Theo’s haunted house, but what sort of second chance would that be? If I want to eventually get a place of my own,I’llneed money, and a job would be the best place to start.
Plus, I can’t keep mooching off others for free food.
“What would I do?” I ask, flicking the icing from her apron.
She chuckles and reaches for my cookie. “You could do more of this. Idon’tenjoy the decorating part as much asbaking. AndI’mnotvery goodat it. I wanted to hire someone for that, but I never got around to it.”
“I’mnot a professional dessert decorator. I was just messing around. And I wanted the cookie.”
Claudia chuckles. “Youdon’thave to be. Idon’tsell fancy cakes and confectionaries.It’sjust your basic bakery staples, and most of that involvesjusta single layer of icing.” She shrugs. “Maybe a sprinkle or two.”
I shake my head as I sway on the spot. “I don’t know,” I draw out slowly.
“Come on,” she insists, nudging me playfully. “What else have you got to do all day?”
I narrow my eyes with feigned hurt. “Ouch.”
“You know what I mean. I don’t want you stuck in that old, drafty house all day. As a matter of fact, why don’t you just come stay with me. I have a spare bedroom. It’ll be just like it used to.”
It’sa pretty picture my sister is painting, but no matter how much time or proximity we spend with one another, things will never be the same as it was. Not as long asI’ma ghost.
“I’ll think about it,” I say.“I promise.”
“Great! You can think about it when you come over for dinnerthisweekend!”
Claudia’s smile lights up the room, her excitementnearly tangible. I cling to it as I try to imagine the second chance with my sister I always wanted. At the same time, didn’t I just agree to give Theo a chance? What will happen if I leave? Will he continue to come out of his shell, or will he crawl in even deeper than ever before?
I thought Iwouldn’thave any options in the afterlife, but now,I’vesomehow gotten myself into a situation whereI’llhave to choose.
Chapter Twenty-Three
THEO
Cleaning the house wasmuchharder than Ihad expected. I seem to have underestimated just how thick the layers of dust had accumulated. Even after scrubbing and spraying and a little zap of magic,there’sa good amount of residue that justwon’tcome up. But I have to say, just getting rid of most of the dust and cobwebs has madea huge difference.It’sonly the start ofa long processof tidying and repairs, butit’ssomething.
I expected Kennedy to arrive back later this evening, but I hear her coming through thedoormid-afternoon. She enters the front room with a glowing expression, clearly happy about whatever she got up to today. Orperhaps shemet someone, andthat’swhat brought about the look on her face.
I hastily shove all of Aidan’scleaning supplies into the pantry in the kitchenwhile also stuffingaway the tinge of jealousy I feel.The further up my body it travels, the more likely I amto say something ridiculous.Kennedy appearsatthe island just asI’mclosing the door. I turn and press my back toit, hopingeverything’sbeen putout ofsight. She peers at me curiously, her nose scrunched.
“What have you been doing in here?” she asks.
I clear my throat. “What? Why?”
Great response, Theo. Not suspicious at all.
She tucks her chin, scrutinizing me beneath narrowed brows. “You were in the kitchen looking for something when I left, and now I find you in here again?” She tilts her head. “Is this where you sleep?”
