“If you’re up for it, I’d love to give you that reading later,” Simone suggests.
“You’re going to do her tarot?” Casey questions.
She eyes me pointedly. “If you still want to.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “I’m really interested in what the cards have to say about my future. It’s kind of in the air at the moment.”
Specifically, I need to know why my spirit was brought to Shadow Hills. And if this is whereI’mmeant to stay, will it be with my sister orTheo.If the cards cananswer formeIwon’thave to decide for myself.That would be a relief.
I really enjoyed getting to see other parts of town this morning, buttheentire car ride Ireplayedthe moments Theo and Ihave shared recently.There was definitely a moment the other night when he first confessed to not wanting to leave the house.It looked like he wanted to kiss me. Then last night, after he finallyopened upabout the family that used to live inVanderbilt House, I thought for sure there was something there. Ihadn’tmeant to be so forward when I asked him to sleep with me downstairs in front of the fire. I honestlydidn’texpect anything to happen. I just wanted himnear. But I must have spooked him.
I keep forgettinghe’sfrom a different era. He was a ghost for most of the twentieth century, and before that, it was all about courting a woman first, not sharing a bed together. Even if it was just sleeping.
“I’m so excited!” Simone cheers, bringing me back to the present. “I’ve been practicing with the girls, but this will be my first time reading someone new.”
Casey leans forward and taps her thigh under the table. “You’re a natural.”
“You just say that because the first reading Itested onyou said you were going to be rich,” she says with pursed lips.
He winks suggestively. “I’m still counting on it.”
Layton brings us ourdrinksand places them down in front of each of us. “Enjoy.”
Simone has already taken a sip andwhite foam clingsto her top lip. Casey wipes it away with his thumb and licks it clean. They sharea heated stare that I feel Ishouldn’tbe present for, but then the moment passes.
“So,” Simone lets out with a heavy breath, “why don’t we head over to the Coven house after this? You can meet the other girls.”
Casey takes a long drag from his cup. “I thinkI’mgonnahang here until my shift starts later. Youdon’tneed me.”
“I don’t mean to take away from your day together,” I beseech.
Simone waves her hand. “Youdidn’t. We invited you, remember?”
I sit back in the wooden chair and nod.
Just then, Kendra comes barreling over to our table with a gleeful expression. “It’s our ghost girl!”sheproclaims loudly. The other groups of patrons all turn to look at us. “Kiki told me you were at the cafe yesterday, but I must have missed you. Are you doing well? No moreWhac-A-Mole?”
I smirk, amused by her use of my words. “I’mgood, Kendra. Thank you for asking.”
“Well of course you are! Just look at you! Pink cheeks and in your own body.” Kendra leans down conspiratorially and says, “MayorMusthavenhardly ever spends timeinhis anymore. It wears himout,blesshis heart.Saysit’s bad for his knees."
Simone looks extremely uncomfortable with Kendra hovering soclose, so she shifts her chair back and stands. “I’m going to use the restroom before we go, okay?”
Casey takes the hint and gets to his feet as well. “How’s the family, Kendra?”heasks, steering her away from the table. “I haven’t heard from Woody in a while.”
“He spends all his time fishing. Ever since Rhett took over as sheriff,he’sbecome the ultimateoutdoorsmen. Keeps him out of my hair.”
I mouth ‘thank you’as he walks away and return to my iced coffee. But I’m only allowed a moment of peace before someone else approaches. This time it’s someone I don’t know.
“Are you Kennedy Chesterfield?” the woman asks eagerly.
I consider lying, but I doubt it would make a difference.I’manewface in a well-known crowd. And to add insult to injury, my hair gives me away in a second.
“That’s me,” I say with a forced grin.
She takes a seat in Simone’s empty chair. “My name is Paloma. My husband isthesheriff. Idon’tknow ifyou’vemet him yet—well, not in his human form—but I just wanted to make sure I introduced myself if you needed anything.”
The soft lines around her eyes and mouth crease as she smiles. She seems nice, and her intent feels genuine.
