Page 58 of August
“No ghost,” she said, sounding adorably disappointed.
As Myra kissed Elisa’s temple and let her rest against her side again, she wondered if this woman had ever gotten to do anything fun. They were surrounded by all these college students who were partying, drinking, and having a good time, but Elisa hadn’t been able to do that when she’d been incollege. She hadn’t been comfortable being herself and out back in the day, and then, she’d met her asshole of an ex-husband, and her whole had life changed.
“Are you having fun?” Rory asked as everyone continued to take photos.
“This is great,” Elisa replied. “How much truth is there to what you’re saying, though?”
“Oh, it’s all true. Every stop on the tour is a part of New Orleans history. That’s why I like this tour so much: it’s a fun way to talk about history. Her ghost has been haunting the place. It was a home when she was alive. Then, it was a hotel, like I said, and people reported her ghost moving up and down the hallways on the second floor because that’s where she died. Now, it’s a business on the bottom floor and two apartments, so we can’t go in, but it’s all true.”
“That’s really cool,” Elisa replied.
“I think so. We’re about to go to a vampire’s house next, so get ready.”
Rory smiled wide and walked back to gather the group.
“Thank you,” Elisa said then.
Myra looked at her and asked, “For what?”
“For this. This is fun, and I needed a little fun with everything going on.”
“You don’t have to thank me. It’s fun for me, too. Plus, I’ve been able to have my hands all over you.” Myra pulled Elisa into her and wrapped her arms around her waist.
“I like your hands all over me,” Elisa replied, wrapping her arms around Myra’s neck.
“Yeah?”
Elisa nodded before she leaned in and pressed her lips to Myra’s softly. Myra breathed her in, and they stood there kissing for a few seconds until Myra heard a throat clear. She pulled back and saw Rory standing in front of them.
“We’re moving on,” Rory said with a smirk. “But you two can catch up if you need a minute.”
“We’re good.” Myra laughed.
“Speak for yourself. I could use a minute,” Elisa said.
Myra cupped her cheek and pecked her lips quickly.
“Later,” she replied.
They joined the rest of the group, and Rory continued to explain each stop along the tour. Elisa held Myra’s hand for most of the walk, but when she dropped it a few times, she always made sure to remain connected to Myra in some way, like by leaning into Myra’s body or running her hand up and down Myra’s back. During one of the stops, she moved in front of Myra, who was taller than her, and took her hand, placing it on her own hip. Myra took it one step further and wrapped her arms around Elisa from behind, resting her chin on Elisa’s shoulder while she listened as Rory talked about another ghost. Elisa rested fully back against her, and Myra felt her sigh as if she felt the same relief Myra felt while she held her like this. She didn’t want to let her go, but when Rory started moving the group to the next stop, she had to.
“Do that again,” Elisa said, taking her hand.
“Do what?” Myra asked.
“Hold me like that again later.”
“All the time, if you want,” Myra replied.
CHAPTER 20
“Can I talk to you about something?” Elisa asked after she pushed the wrapper from the most delicious sandwich she had ever had away.
“Sure,” Myra replied.
“I was talking to Gwen earlier, filling her in on what Archie had suggested about the guest house, and at first, before she knew all that he had told me, she suggested I consider it.”
Myra took the final bite of her sandwich and chewed as she seemed to consider what Elisa had just said.
