Page 50 of Haunted Ever After

“I buy that,” she said. “Libby and Sophie…they said you don’t do relationships. Ever since the thing with Madison. Is that…? Do you…?” She hated to bring it up, but if he was going to bring her Publix subs and say nice things about her and watching sunsets together, they should probably figure out where they wanted to take this once and for all.

Nick got where she was going with her question. He straightened up, and while he didn’t exactly pull away from her, she dropped her arm and sat up straight too. “They’re right,” he said. “It’s hard, dating in a town where you’ve grown up with damn near everyone and they know your entire life story.” He studied his hands, picking at his cuticles. “Apparently I’m more of a situationship kind of guy.”

“Situationship,” Cassie repeated. She could feel her eyebrows crawling up her forehead.

“That’s what I’ve been told. You know. A little more than a one-night stand, a little less than going home to meet the parents. If someone’s in town for a week or two, I show her a good time, and…”

“And then she goes home. No mess, no commitment.”

“It’s just easier to not get involved,” Nick said. Then his eyes went wide as he turned to her. “I mean, it’s nothing personal. Nothing against you. You’re great. You’re more than great. I just…”

“I get it,” she said even as her heart fell. But she couldn’t expect any promises of a real future with this guy when she couldn’t promise the same. She didn’t know if she was sticking around herself.

“Here’s the thing,” she continued, steeling her courage. “I like you, Nick.”

His eyes softened, and his quick intake of breath at her words lifted her soul. “I like you too.” He dropped a hand to hers, tangling their fingers together. “More than I’ve liked anyone in a long time.”

“Then how about this: we take it day by day. No strings. No pressure.” She wanted to cringe at how pragmatic she sounded. She could be running a meeting instead of proposing a relationship. “What do you think?”

“Yeah?” Nick studied her face, and Cassie met his eyes with her own.

“Yeah. Let’s see where this goes.” Maybe this was the right move for both of them. Neither of them was in the position, physically or emotionally, to promise anything.

Darkness had fallen around them while they talked, and now the sole light blinked on behind them, breaking whatever spell had fallen over them both. Cassie threw away the trash of their picnic while Nick packed away the leftovers.

“Wait.” She held out a hand as he started to zip his insulated bag closed. “Did you say you had some waters in there?”

“Oh. Yeah.” He reached in, handing her a bottle. “Here you go. This one’s still cold.”

“It’s not for me.” She opened it, tossing the cap into the trash. Then she set it on the edge of the table, next to the beer Nick had left out for the Beach Bum when they’d first arrived.

“What…” Nick’s brow furrowed. “What the hell is that?” he asked, as though he hadn’t just handed the bottle to her.

“Water,” she said primly.

“For the Beach Bum?” Nick shook his head. “He likes beer. You’re doing it wrong.”

But Cassie waved him off as they started up the beach. “Nah. He likes it. Trust me.”

Twenty-Two

Nick was sure he was dreaming and would wake up soon in his bed. There was no other way to explain it.

He walked down the beach, an arm around Cassie’s shoulders. The darkness around them had done nothing to relieve the heat of the day, but she was snuggled against his side as though she needed him to keep warm. Their walk home was illuminated by the moon, bright and nearly full. It shone off the water and on the wet sand they walked on. The world was dark yet bright at the same time, and the glow felt like something warm and alive.

Nick had tried not to hope for much from this evening. Clearing the air between them at best, hearing that she never wanted to speak to him again at the worst. His brain was especially good at the worst-case scenarios. But reality had blown his pessimism out of the water.

She got him. She really did. She understood his reluctance for relationships, and she was okay with it. Relief had loosened something in his chest, and he felt like he was able to take a good deep breath for the first time in a long time.

In fact, it wasn’t until they were halfway to Cassie’s house, the soft steps of the Beach Bum behind them (apparently he was okay with bottled water, like Cassie had said), that he remembered the other reason for seeing her tonight.

“So. Ah…Elmer let me know that he knew Sarah Hawkins.”

“Oh! He did?” Cassie stopped walking, pulling him to a halt. Her eyes were wide with surprise. “I…I forgot all about that. What is wrong with me?” She gave a rueful laugh. “God, dangle a chicken tender sub in front of my face and my priorities go right to hell.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” He dodged her good-natured swat, his smile widening. “He said you could ask him anything.”

“That would be great. There’s so much I don’t know.” He could see the wheels turning in her head. Checklists and plans being made in real time while he watched. “There’s Sarah herself, her house. The way it used to look. I really want to do right by her, but she’s not the most forthcoming.” She shook her head. “It doesn’t help that I think she’s getting hooked on reality TV. It’s distracting her a little bit.”

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