Page 81 of Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places
Maverick treated Lucky to lunch and they headed to a nearby park to wait for Gengar. They sat under a vacant tree with a blanket he had in his emergency car kit. She hadn’t spent much time outside the house, but she knew a little something about the area. He lived about an hour north in the city while Hennessee House was in a small incorporated town, both in Sacramento County.
It seemed like a nice place to live full-time. Swans in the pond. Ducks waddling the paths. Kids riding bikes and parents with jogging strollers. Plenty of supernatural activity to investigate. Everything a girl could want.
“Do you have plans after this?” She lay on her stomach, propped up on her elbows.
He was on his back, looking up at her. “Not until Rebel is ready to come home for dinner. You’re welcome to join us.”
“I don’t think I can. Can I?”
“It’s technically not my show, but probably not.”
Lucky wasn’t under house arrest, but they were paying her to be there. Especially at night. “You two can come to Hennessee,” she said hopefully.
“Not after dark. No.”
“I understand. But for the record”—she paused to grin at him—“literally nothing bad happens. You’ll both be safe.”
“You don’t know that.” He still wasn’t willing to risk it under any circumstances barring extreme emergencies.
Lucky frowned, unable to hide her frustration. She wanted to spend time with him any way she could, but how were they supposed to make this work? She couldn’t go to his apartment. He wouldn’t stay in Hennessee House. “I’m starting to think the other caretakers were exaggerating.”
“They weren’t. You’re an exception for some reason. The house just likes you.” He rolled over onto his side, gently tugging her closer to him. “I can see how that could happen. I almost feel sorry for it.”
“I accept that compliment.” She smiled and kissed him…and then didn’t stop.
“There are children in this park. Behave,” he teased.
“I can’t. It’s like I’m possessed.”
“Bad choice of words. Please don’t say that.”
“Sorry.” She kissed his jaw then bit it gently.
“Are you abiter?”
“I might be,” she admitted. “Is that bad?”
“No.” He snorted. “It’s just a little surprising.”
“Why?” she asked, trying not to sound nervous.
“Just is.” He answered a little too fast, gaze darting away. “You asked for slow. I’m honestly okay with that.”
Maybe she’d been unconsciously trying to match the energy she sensed in him. She didn’t feel like she was performing or doing what she assumed was expected of her. She honestly wanted to kiss him. And touch him. And be close to him. For hours at a time, if possible. Maybe it felt so intense because it was new, and they spent so much time apart. She needed to cram as much affection in as possible to hold her over until she saw him again.
He continued, “Although, if you’re up for it, I’d like you to meet my family.”
“Oh,” she squeaked in surprise. “Family. Oh.”
“We’re having a little get-together this weekend at my parents’ house. I thought it’d be nice if you came. Or is that too fast?”
“It isn’t,” she said, eager to soothe the worried look in his eyes. They hadn’t talked about what he said at Penny Place. She didn’t want him thinking that she didn’t want them, not even for a single second. “It’s just…it’sparents. I wouldn’t want to impose or whatever.”
He laughed. “Lucky, they know who you are. My mom would love to meet you.”
She softened. “You told them about me?”
“Yeah. And if I didn’t, Rebel would have. Or Georgia.”
