Page 14 of Séance

She peers at me over the top of her glasses and flashes me a cheeky wink. “Thank you, dear. Now give me a hug.”

She wraps her arms around me and squeezes. I remain stiff for a second, then I melt into her embrace, wrapping my arms around her just as hard. She smells of flowers and homemade tinctures.

She smells of home.

A click of a camera goes off, and my head pops up. I meet Ellis’ guilty gaze, and I smile at him. “I want a copy of that, please.”

I don’t have any pictures of my nan, and I’m desperate to build memories.

“Of course,” he replies with a nod, his brown eyes warm. “I’ll just need your number.”

“Let me grab it. I have a new phone…” I wiggle the device from my back pocket and unlock it, then I pass it over without hesitation. It’s my first phone, and I’m excited to finally start living like everyone else.

Nan gives me one last squeeze, then she yanks me down and kisses my forehead again. With one last wave, she strides out the door in a whirlwind, and I follow blindly. I’m barely aware of the guys gathering close as Nan strides down the driveway toward the taxi, chatting animatedly with Hicks the whole time.

Much to my shock, Hicks nods and smiles down at her indulgently. While Nan chats with the cabbie, Hicks puts the luggage into the trunk. Before he can escape, Nan captures him in a hug. Hicks allows it, remaining unnaturally still, and I’m shocked when he kisses her cheek before she disappears into the back of the vehicle. It’s not until the taxi drives down the road that I realize I’m leaning against Gunner.

“You know what they call a cruise for old folks, right?” Jameson grins, and I narrow my eyes on him, something telling me that I don’t want to know what’s about to come out of his mouth.

“They are floating sex cruises.” He giggles manically while the rest of the guys groan or cringe at that mental image. I wince as well, but there is something calculating in his gaze as he watches me from the corner of his eyes.

“What? She’s old, not dead,” he chides with an evil grin, and Gunner gives a full-on shudder.

That’s when it clicks—he told the joke to alleviate my melancholy. I find myself softening toward the flirt. Suddenly overwhelmed and needing time to recharge after being around people all day, I walk toward the front door. “Listen, thank you for helping me today, but I’m exhausted. I’m going to rest for a while.”

The guys exchange a pointed look I have no hope of deciphering. Before I can call them on it, Jameson flashes me his most charming smile, refusing to be brushed off. “Don’t we deserve a reward for all our hard work?”

I narrow my eyes, wanting to deny them, but then I recall my promise to Nan.

Fuck.

That doesn’t mean I’m gullible. I cross my arms, suspicious now that I’m alone with them. “What do you want?”

“Come over tonight for supper.” Hicks takes over the conversation, not one to stand in the background. “Consider it a welcome to the neighborhood dinner.”

“I don’t get it.” I glance at each of them in confusion, wondering if I’m missing something obvious. “If you’re making me supper, what is your reward?”

His smile is slow and devastating, a hint of lust swirling in his green eyes. It’s so different from how I’m normally treated thatI’m left a bit flustered and barely catch his next words. “Why, your company of course.”

Chapter Four

GUNNER

As we head back toward Hicks’ place, I can’t keep my mind off the girl.

Tallie-Rue.

Even her name sounds exotic.

There is something different about her from the other females we normally meet. She’s…special.

Reserved.

Regal.

Untouchable.

Gorgeous, my mind whispers, and I grunt as I recall her beauty. It’s almost ethereal, something to look at but never touch. My chest clenches at the thought of never seeing her again, and no matter how much I try to banish her from my thoughts, she haunts me.

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