Page 63 of Haunted Hearts
He slips a pair of over-the-ear headphones on his head, gives his hair one last sweep of the fingers, and hits record. He moves away from me, now completely immersed in his own world, the excited notes of his voice falling into a steady rhythm as he launches into his episode.
“Starting a podcast, huh?” Lydia says, coming to join me on the sidewalk. A small smile plays on her lips as she looks up at me.
“Apparently.”
“Well, maybe it’ll be good. Youhavebeen wanting him to get a job, you know.”
“Yeah—ajob. This isn’t a job.”
Lydia smirks, her gaze following Zeke. “I’m not sure about that. You need charisma to be a successful podcast host, and if there’s one thing Zeke’s got, it’s charisma.”
“Ha. That’s one word for it,” I snort.
“Well, what else would you say? Charm? Magnetism?” Lydia casts me a wicked grin. “Allure?”
“Watch it, woman,” I growl, moving my mouth to her ear.
Lydia laughs, and I draw her into my arms. Despite the chilly autumn air, her body’s still warm, her cheeks still rosy as I pull her head against my chest and stroke her hair. I love this woman. I love the confidence she has in me, the faith she shows in my family—even my ridiculous, self-absorbed, head-in-the-clouds little brother.
“Can we go home?” Lydia asks. She looks up at me, her dark eyes soft and sparkling in the sunshine.
I give her one last squeeze before releasing her, threading my fingers through hers. “You’ve got it. Home sounds perfect.”
epilogue
WILL
Eight months later…
The front lawn of the library is already bustling when we get there. People are milling around with drinks, and the local folk band, whose lead singer Lydia says she went to high school with, is already strumming up a storm from inside the building. I hope to god someone tells them to take it down a notch before we get inside, or we won’t be able to hear a goddamn thing.
Lydia tugs me along up the sidewalk. She looks back at me with a small smile, and I can tell she knows what I’m thinking. “The inside acoustics are much better now, remember? You’ll live.”
“Iknow. That’s what I’m afraid of—it’s going to be torture. Look at all thesepeople.”
Lydia shushes me, squeezing my hand. “Well, that’s what you have me for.”
“And also for this,” I say, breathing the words into her ear as I give her ass a quick pinch.
She yelps, swatting my hand away with a grin. “William Holloway!”
Her head whips around to make sure no one saw the ass grab, and I pull her closer to my side, laughing. I can feel how warm she is, and I could bask all day in the sweet vanilla scent of her hair as it envelops me. I am so far gone for this woman it’s not even funny.
People are already waving as we approach the front steps of the building, and someone—I don’t even know who—claps me on the back. “Well done, Will! The place is magnificent.”
And it is.
I can’t help but steal a quick glance at the impressive exterior as we head inside, marveling at how my vision has come to life. I’m not the type to brag anyway, so I tend to keep my emotions under wraps when it comes to this kind of thing. But the fact that this building was the cause of so much hurt between Lydia and me still tugs at my heart—and I suspect it always will.
As though she can read my mind, Lydia squeezes my hand. It’s her way of telling me everything’s okay. Thatsheis okay.
“Hey, you two love birds.”
Lydia’s friend, Autumn, struts over to us on her high heels, bag slung over her shoulder. She gives Lydia a peck on the cheek and then pulls back to look me up and down. “Your man’s looking good, Lyds.”
She winks at me, and I snort. I’ve gotten to know Autumn pretty well over these past eight months, and although she’s always kind of been like this, her recent split from her douchebag husband has made her even more brazen.
Lydia just laughs. “Trust me—I know. Speaking of men, though…” She looks around dubiously, taking in the crowd around us.
