"Watch it, brother."
Rowan's eyes snap to Luka. "I'm sorry."
His eyes soften as they land back on Lily. "I didn't mean it like that. I'm just asking, if you had to guess, what do you think it is?"
Lily's silent for so long I begin to think she isn't going to answer, but when she finally does, I feel completely unprepared.
"I think Millie's donor is haunting her."
As outlandish as her statement sounds, it starts to take root. Growing more and more possible the longer I let the thought fester.
"Babe," Luka whispers, fiercely, like he's worried she's overstepped.
"What? He asked what I thought it was and I answered honestly. Ever since Emily I've been researching everything I can find on apparitions. Where they're most commonly found, how they manifest, and why they are here. While I haven't found a direct link to post-transplant recipients, I don't think it's too far of a leap. The dreams, the sensations, the voice, all of that does indicate a ghost of some sort."
I gulp, still trying to process her theory.
"Why are they here then? Why would Millie's donor be haunting her?" Rowan asks.
"My best guess is unfinished business," Lily answers.
I close my eyes and shake my head. "This is just crazy sounding."
Rowan releases my hand and I feel an immediate sense of loss. That is until he puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me into his side. I sigh, curling my body into his.
"It's not the craziest thing I've ever heard, daredevil. I'm not saying she's right, but I think it's at least worth looking into."
Maybe he's right.Maybe Lily's right.I still can't wrap my head around it though. Could it be possible that my donor is trying to send me a message from beyond the grave?
Luka seems to answer my unspoken question. "If I've learned anything over the past year, it's that anything is possible." He looks over to his girlfriend, nothing but adoration and love shining through his eyes. "That and my Lily is one smart cookie." He looks over to me and Rowan and says, "I would listen to her."
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Millie
As soon as he closes his car door, I turn and ask him, "Do you really think it's possible? I mean, you hear about ghosts and all, but I've never thought they're real, Rowan! It's just some stupid stories that people make up. There's no way it actually exists!" I'm rambling, I know it, but I can't help it. My mind is pretty blown right now.
He cranks the truck and turns up the heat, but he doesn't put it into drive. Instead, he turns towards me, his hand reaches out and cradles my cheek. "Take a deep breath for me, baby. It's okay. We're going to figure this out."
I tilt my head into his touch, craving every little bit he's willing to give me. "We don't know that. And if Lily isn't right, then what?"
"Then we keep digging," he says it so simply.We.Like we're going to figure it out together.
"You don't have to do this. This isn't your problem, Rowan." I want to make sure he knows that I don't expect him to stick around to figure this out.
He sighs, it isn't a sigh of frustration but one more of determination. "But see, that's where you're wrong, Daredevil."
My eyebrows pull together. "How so?"
He smiles, ever so patiently. "Because if it pertains to you, I'll make it my problem."
I shake my head. "Rowan, but this doesn't. We are friends."
He growls, "Would you stop saying that."
My head goes back in shock and confusion. "Are we not?"
"I don't want to be your friend, Millie."
