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Ted seemed stunned. “What the fuck just happened?”

Ryan clapped him on the shoulder. “You made a microwave very happy.”

Ted smacked his hand away. “What?”

“I don’t know how else to say it, mate.”

Ted scowled harder. “Why are there so many ghosts here and why are you so unbothered by this fact?”

“They’re guests here,” I said. “And my friends.”

“It’s a long story,” Ryan said and Ted stared at him for a moment, mind clearly working over something.

“Is this about the thing you called to ask me about? The psycho-thing?”

Ryan groaned. “I knew you wouldn’t let that go.”

“You told him!” I gasped, feeling a little betrayed.

“No, no, love. I was just trying to get information to help you not die, y’know? He doesn’t even know the full name!”

Which was true. Still, I pouted, and Ryan rounded Ted to kiss it away. Which was very nice. I hummed and wrapped my arms around his neck without really thinking about it. I was so used to having an audience that I forgot Ted wasn’t dead.

“Now I see what was taking you so long. I should have guessed,” Ted said. “I don’t know why ghosts make you guys so fucking horny.”

I pushed against Ryan’s chest to get him to pull back, blushing slightly.

“Excuse me. Ghosts don’t make me horny,” Ryan drawled, still holding on to my waist and bum. “Only nerds in tiny shorts do.”

“I think we should get back to the matter at hand and why Ted is here before we get too far off track,” I said.

I gestured to the table and Ted glanced over at all the ghosts still in the room.

Oh. Yeah. I chuckled awkwardly before gesturing for them to leave. We didn’t need any more hysteria today, especially with Andrew still so sensitive.

I glanced up worriedly, wondering if he’d heard Ted’s arrival. The thought that Ted’s presence could actually be detrimental passed my mind, making me regret my earlier eagerness to welcome him in.

I walked over to Bronwyn before she left, whispering, “Make sure Andrew is all right. Ted is with Exor.”

She gave Ted an old-fashioned look before floating away.

When I turned back the room was empty of ghostly bodies and Ted was sitting at the table, staring blankly at the snowdrop in his hand like he’d forgotten he was even holding it.

I shared a concerned look with Ryan before we took the seats opposite him side by side. Ted continued to stare straight through us.

Ryan cleared his throat. “I have to assume things at work aren’t exactly going…stellar.”

Ted’s gaze refocused and that bitchy spark returned. “What gave you that impression?”

“The hoody.”

Ted curled his lip and stood up. “You’re a moron. I don’t know why I thought this was a good fucking idea.”

I stood up too. “Okay, let’s just calm down, everyone.”

“Everyone?” Ryan asked, linking his arms behind his head. “I’m chill as ice cream, love.”

“And just as tooth rotting,” Ted sniped.