Page 36 of Ghostlighted
“Do you mind…” He swallowed. “That is, I’d like to stay out here for a while longer, if that’s okay.”
I stepped back onto the grass. “Avi. We started out as involuntary housemates, but I like to think we’re finding our way to mutually agreeable cohabitation. That doesn’t mean we don’t need our own space now and then. Take all the time you want.” I smiled and tried not to let my gaze drift to Sofia’s garden. “I won’t even give you a curfew.”
He laughed softly. “I appreciate it.”
I turned and mounted the steps, but when my hand was on the doorknob, I heard him murmur, “Thank you. For everything.”
I pretended I didn’t hear and stepped inside, closing the door softly behind me. “I’m pretty sure I’m the one who should be thanking you for everything.”
If it wasn’t for Avi and Uncle Oren—okay, third cousin Oren, and Istillhad somefeelingsabout him not contacting me during his lifetime, considering he’d put me in his freakingwill—I wouldn’t have this house. I wouldn’t have ahome. I wouldn’t have enough disposable income to send my neighbor on the trip of her dreams. I wouldn’t have a fascinating job or raft of new friends or a potential boyfriend. A potential boyfriend whostillhadn’t?—
My cell phone vibrated, and I inhaled slowly when I checked the screen because it was a text from Ricky at last. Although it hadn’t been much more than an hour since the ambulance pulled away. Maybe I should cut potential boyfriend a little slack.
R: Tia in with doctor now. Waiting with family so can’t call.
M: Will she be okay?
R: They’re keeping her overnight at least, but they think so. I’ll call tomorrow.
M: Okay. If they let you see her, give her my love.
R: Will do.
I sighed, briefly considering making myself a cup of tea, but couldn’t rustle up the effort. I wandered through the kitchen and family room. When I got to the vestibule, Avi suddenly popped into view next to me.
I staggered back a step, grabbing the newel post to regain my balance. “I thought you wanted to stay outside.”
He looked down at himself and then over his shoulder at the front door. “I did. I was. And then I was here.”
“Maybe you ran out of ghost juice or something? The longest I’ve ever seen you manifest is about an hour, but that’s only within my sightlines. Can you hang around for longer than that?”
He scowled at me. “I don’t exactly set a timer on myself.”
I sighed. “Look, Avi. I get that it hasn’t been a great day for either of us, but I’m trying to help, all right?”
He clenched his eyes shut and rubbed one hand across his forehead. “Sorry. I know. But it’s sofrustrating. I don’t know anything about my… mycondition, and I don’t even know what I don’t know.”
I heard a muffled meow from behind me and turned to find Gil prancing down the stairs with one of my tube socks in his mouth. He dropped it at my feet and looked up, expecting his due of praise. I complied.
“Yes.” I knelt down and skritched his ears and under his chin. “You are the mightiest hunter in all the land.”
Avi hunkered down next to me and because he never missed a chance with one of the only things he could touch, he stroked along Gil’s back, lifting the fur there as usual. “Has he ever actually caught something?”
“Oh, trust me. He’s got moves. The only reason Greg didn’t have a mouse problem at his condo is because Gil caught them and I disposed of them before Greg got home from work.” In fact, I suspected he’d discovered a “problem” since then—I’d spotted the fancy electronic mousetraps in the corners of the great room and bedroom when Ricky and I had been there to pick up my stuff. “When Taryn first contacted me and told me I’d inherited a house, I was afraid we’d arrive at some rat-infested hovel. So if you’re responsible for rodent control as well as dust control, thank you for that.”
“You’re welcome.” Avi might have used the absent dust to dry out his tone. “I’d be more impressed with myself if I knew how I did it.”
“I think Gil was disappointed in their absence, but if we don’t let on you’re the culprit, I suspect he’ll forgive you.” I picked up the sock. “Although it hurts his pride that he’s reduced to capturing my laundry. Oh, and this.” I dug Oren’s ring out of my pocket. “I think he probably knocked that bowl where you keep it off its shelf. He was batting this around when Ricky and I got in. Sorry. I’ll put it?—”
“No!” Avi clutched at my wrist, his hand passing through my arm and leaving the ache of remembered cold behind it. “Wait.”
I fought the urge to shove my hand in my pocket to warm it up. “Okay. What’s up?”
“This is it, Maz. This is what we’ve been looking for.” He lifted his gaze to my face, his eyes shining. “This is the answer.”
Chapter Thirteen
“The answer?” I tucked my hand against my chest to warm it up. “Okay, I’ll bite. What was the question?”
