Page 6 of All Your Tomorrows

“No? Why not?”

He looked over at me and assessed my face. The way his eyes roamed over my features caused something inside me to ignite; something I hadn’t known could still exist. “You’re better than that.”

I laughed. “You have to say that.”

“Why?”

“Because you need my help.”

He suddenly looked angry. “I don’t say anything I don’t mean.”

I swallowed hard. “Sorry. I just meant…I mean…”

“Nora. I’m not mad,” he said, his voice softer. “I just want you to know I’ll always give it to you straight.”

I nodded once, then walked through the opening in the fence and made my way up the walkway to the front steps. I turned to face Kyler, knowing he’d followed. “Well, this is me,” I said, like this was the awkward end of some first date where you don’t know if the guy’s gonna move in for the kiss so you stall but only long enough to feel him out.

He nodded, though there was indecision in his eyes—uncertainty.

I chewed on my bottom lip, knowing I couldn’t just send him away to walk aimlessly all night long. “You wanna come in?”

He blinked, my offer clearly catching him off guard.

“I mean. No pressure. I just didn’t want you walking around all night with nowhere to go.”

“I appreciate that. But won’t your roommate have a problem with a spirit in your house?”

“Oh, she’s not home. And, she’s used to me talking to spirits.”

He exhaled and I could tell he appreciated my offer. “Thank you.” He followed me up the front steps and waited while I unlocked the door. He followed me into the living room, his eyes moving from the small Christmas tree set up in front of the picture window with the colorful lights to the red Christmas pillows adding a splash of color to our cream sofa and loveseat. “This is nice.”

“Yeah. We got lucky with this one. Last year we were in one of those other houses.”

“So, youwerea party girl.”

“Not by choice,” I laughed. “You can stay there tonight.” I gestured to the sofa.

He looked at it. “Thank you.”

“Stop thanking me. It’s what I do.”

A smirk crawled into his cheek. “Your superpower.”

“My superpower,” I agreed. “Good night.”

“Good night, Nora,” he said.

That smooth way my name left his lips made my insides warm, and I so wished a real guy had the same effect. As I turned and headed to my room upstairs, I couldn’t shake the butterflies whirling in my belly. A spirit had never made me feel so off-balance, and I realized why. It was a futile endeavor to fall for someone who would disappear without warning. Someone who—as much as they seemed to be—wasn’t really there.

CHAPTER 3

“Morning,” I said from the doorway between the kitchen and living room.

Kyler lay on the sofa with his hands locked behind his head. “Hey.” He kicked his legs down and sat up. “Your roommate never came home.”

I smiled. “Did you wait up?”

“I don’t exactly sleep,” he explained.

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