“Hey!” A loud voice calls from across the store. “You two get off of there! Can’t you read?” I jump off the bed and pull Bailey up with me. We meet the store clerk halfway.
“I’d like to buy that one over there.” I point at the bed we were just violating. The clerk narrows his eyes on us, but turns back to key it into his computer. It’s a lot more than I was going to spend on something as simple as a bed, now I’ll have to save up for the rest of the furniture. Hopefully I still have enough for a sofa.
We roam around the rest of the store searching for the cheapest sofa we can possibly find. There’s still a long way to go before I’m back to where I was, but it’s a start. I head back to the counter to pay. Hopefully I’m not broke after this.
“Thank you, Mr. Reed, your purchases will be delivered this afternoon.” The cranky clerk hands me back my card and we leave the store.
Bailey giggles beside me as we walk down the street. “Mr. Reed.” she says my name like she’s making fun of me. I just roll my eyes and ignore her.
“We should go out and celebrate,” she announces as we stop to cross the street. I shove my hands in my pockets and shrug. The cool air makes me shiver. She shakes her head at me in exasperation and tugs me back the way we came. “I know just the place.”
Bailey leads me to the entrance to a small club. Flashing lights leak out the front door and onto the street. Once inside we push our way through the crowd to the bar. I turn and look out at the dancing people. I don’t really like clubs, and being here with Bailey feels weird. The only other time I’ve been to a club was to pick up.
I glance at Bailey out of the corner of my eye; she’s bopping her head along to the overly loud music as she speaks to the bartender. She passes me a shot and tips hers down her throat; I do the same and place the glass back on the bar.
She smiles and leans in close so I can hear her over the noise. “Let’s dance.” Her breath tickles my neck, and a shiver runs down my spine. I shake my head no. She scrunches up her face and grabs a hold of my arm, dragging me out into the crowd of dancing people.
Just as we stop in the middle of the floor, the song changes. I nearly groan out loud at the sappy music pounding through the speakers. Everyone around us starts pairing up and swaying. Bailey pulls me in close, reminding me of the dance we had in the parking lot. I’m taller than her, so she leans in and rests her cheek on my shoulder. I hesitate, unsure, and then wrap my arms around her back. Straight away it feels too intimate. By the time the song’s over, I’m itching to let go and take a step back.
Bailey skips down the street ahead of me. It’s so dark outside, I can’t even see the stars. “So are you coming back to my place again, or are you going home?”
Well, that’s a no brainer, especially after that dance. “I’ll go back to mine.”
Bailey smiles at me as we walk. The wind picks up and I feel a light drop on my face. It’s going to rain. I look up at the dark sky just as it starts coming down heavier. Bailey squeals and runs for the nearest shop alcove.
I’m soaking wet by the time I join her. We stand there for a moment, watching and listening to the rain. My limbs start shivering involuntarily from my cold wet clothes. I tilt my head down to look at Bailey’s shadowed face. “Shall we make a run for it?”
Her eyes sparkle as if I’ve said the right thing. “Definitely.”
We count to three and then dash away from the alcove, getting soaked all over again as we run to the shelter of another one five doors down. Bailey leans over, laughing as she squeezes the water out of her hair. “That was fantastic!” I shake out my own dripping wet hair, laughing with her.
Once we work up the courage, we make another run for it, and another, until we’re close enough to split up and head to our own apartments.
I reach out and stop Bailey just as she’s about to make another dash.
“Wait, I wanted to thank you for today.”
She looks up at me a little confused. “It’s fine, Krissy.”
I narrow my eyes. “Stop calling me that.”
“Never.” She laughs, doing her best to sound evil. The wet strands of her hair flop in front of her face. Without thinking, I reach out and brush them off her cheek. She goes completely still, her eyes wide as she gazes up at me.
I only just stop myself from backing away like a coward.
Before I can over-think it, I lean in and kiss her. She’s stunned at first, and then her lips come to life under mine. She’s so soft and warm. Her arms wrap around my neck, bringing her closer.
I pull away slowly, holding her bright blue gaze. I feel as if I can’t breathe, my hands are shaking. I don’t know what I was expecting, but that definitely wasn’t it. The kiss was short and quick, but it was different. I swallow and take a step back, turning my face away from her.
“I…”
She presses her finger to my lips, silencing me.
“Don’t, Kristian. You’ll ruin it.” She watches me for a moment longer and then takes a slow step back before spinning around and dashing away into the dark rain.
The stack of boxes containing my bed and a mattress is leaning up against my door when I walk up to my apartment, still dazed. There’s a note from my landlord saying that I have to contact the furniture store about my couch. Hauling the boxes inside, I glance around the empty space before heading into my room. I feel like I’m on autopilot as I unpack my bed and start putting it together.
***
I tap my phone impatiently. Surely she’d be awake by now. I’ve been up since the sun came up two hours ago. I don’t know if I can wait any longer. Okay, when did I turn into a jittery fool? Growling at myself, I throw the phone on my bed and go into the bathroom. She should be awake by the time I finish in the shower.
Bailey answers on the third ring. “Yes?” She sounds funny, I pull my phone away from my ear and frown at it.
“What’s wrong?”
She laughs softly. “I think I have a cold.” She pulls the phone away and sneezes. “Yep, definitely a cold.” I hang up on her and snatch my keys off the kitchen counter as I leave.
I knock on the door and wait. Bailey gives me an odd look and opens the door wider for me to come in. “What are you doing here?”
Stupid question. “You’re sick.”
“It’s just a cold,” she says, closing the door and wrapping her blanket tighter around her shoulders. I ignore her and sit down on her plush sofa.
She sits down beside me and snuggles into a pillow. “You didn’t have to come over. I’m just going to watch girly movies and eat chicken soup.”
I glance at her quickly and turn my attention back to the TV with a smile. “What are friends for?”
She gasps loudly beside me. “Kristian Reed, did you just smile at me? Oh no, the world’s going to end.” She’s being overly dramatic, holding one arm over her head like she’s going to faint; I roll my eyes at her silliness and chuck a pillow at her. She giggles and settles back into the couch.
***
“Hey Kristian.”
I look up from the coffee machine to face Ryan, another research analyst from the floor above us.
“How have you been?” he asks, glancing past me. I nod and open my mouth, but he cuts me off before I can answer. “Are you and Bailey together?” I nearly choke.
“No. No, definitely not,” I sputter.
“Good.” He smiles. “So you won’t mind if I ask her out then.” I shake my head, too stunned to answer. He claps me on the back and heads off across the office. I stay where I am and watch him approach Bailey just as she stands to leave our cubicle. He says something to her and she laughs, ducking her head in a shy gesture. I don’t need to hear them to know what he just said to her. He leans closer and touches her arm, saying something close to her ear.
Someone stops in front of me, blocking my view. I step back and curse under my breath, immediately chastising myself when I realize who it is.
“Busy, are we, Mr. Reed?” Fiona ask
s, raising her eyebrow and tilting her head at the coffee cup clutched in my hand. Crap.
“Sorry, I was just about to head back to my computer and email those statistics for the storm season to you before we leave for the parade.”
“I’m sure you were.” She doesn’t believe me. Leaning around me, she places her own cup under the coffee maker, not once breaking eye contact with me. It’s a little intimidating. I nod and walk back to my desk before I can get into more trouble.
I slow my pace as I get close, Ryan is still talking to Bailey. He glances over her shoulder at me and tilts his head, saying a quick goodbye and leaving.
Bailey turns to me, face slightly flushed. She looks at me as I sit down, her eyes wide, as if I’ve caught her doing something she shouldn’t. “Hey Krissy.”
I nod in the direction Ryan left. “What was that about?” I already know the answer, why am I even asking?
Her face goes bright red and she sits back down in her chair. “Ryan asked me out on a date.” I try to look surprised, but it doesn’t work.
She doesn’t continue. I don’t know why, but I have to ask. I have to know her answer. “And?”
“And I said no.”
Okay, now I am surprised. She doesn’t seem upset. “Why? He seems like a nice guy.” Sort of.
She rolls her eyes and picks up the heavy textbook she’s been taking notes out of. “It would be really unfair of me to lead him on.” She pauses and looks up at me from under her thick lashes. “I’m already in love with someone else.”
I suck in a sharp breath and she looks away.
“Oh.” I exhale.
She huffs out a small, frustrated laugh, unhappy with my response and drops her textbook loudly on the desk before standing and heading for the main doors to the elevator where Gary is waiting for us.
Main Street is so busy; there’s nowhere to park the news van. Gary honks the horn several times to get pedestrians to move. The parade has everyone in a good mood. Who knew there were so many people in this city?
Bailey and I jump out, ready to unload the camera cases. I have to push my way through the throng of people to get to the side of the van.
Opening the sliding door, I reach for the large case of lenses, and so does Bailey, instead of grabbing the handle, my hand wraps around hers. We both go still and look at each other; I hold my breath as she gazes at me. We snap out of it at the same time.
“Sorry,” Bailey says, shaking her head and moving to sit at the computers. I stand still for a moment, my mouth hanging open slightly. What was that?
I watch Bailey discreetly as Gary tapes various scenes from the parade. Hopefully she’s gotten over the whole awkward situation in the office earlier, because I want to ask her to come over tonight, purely as a friend. I’ve finished unpacking and setting up all my new furniture. She helped pick them out, so it’s only right if I ask her to come take a look, right?
I shuffle sideways to the door of the van and lean my head in. “Hey, Bailey?”
“Mmmhmm,” she mumbles, chewing on her pen lid as she watches clips on the computer screens.
“I finished unpacking my furniture.”
She stops what she’s doing and turns to me with a questioning smile. “Yes?”
I hesitate; maybe this wasn’t a good idea. Taking a deep breath, I turn back to her. “Do you want to come over a take a look?”
She jumps in her seat excitedly. “I’d love to! I’ll bring Chinese for dinner.” She swings back to her monitors and puts her headphones back on. And just like that, all is forgiven. Relief washes over me and I twist back around to watch the parade.
CHAPTER 10
JESSICA
A million little lights twinkle below me in different colors. I knew Paris would be beautiful, and I’m not disappointed. I watch a breeze ruffle the hair and clothes of the people around me, but I can’t feel it. Out of all the things I can no longer have, I wish I could feel the touch of wind on my skin.
I turn away and look out across the city.
I shouldn’t have run off like that. Kristian is probably worried about me. I should go back. I should forgive him for kissing that girl. It wasn’t his fault, she forced herself on him. I haven’t been around enough lately, he’s probably lonely.
***
KRISTIAN
I feel lighter, maybe even happy? I don’t bother closing my front door. Bailey will be here soon. Throwing my keys on the counter, I head to the fridge for a bottle of water.
“I didn’t know where you were. You’re usually home from work by this time, but when I arrived, your apartment was empty.” The voice makes me jump, dropping my water. It spills out all over the kitchen floor. I turn in a circle, searching.
“Jess?”
“Yes.” Her voice echoes close to my ear. She materializes beside me, her cold hand on my arm. I don’t know which emotion to feel first, they’re all so strong. I’m angry at her for destroying my apartment and leaving, but I’m also happy she’s back; it feels as if a piece of me that was missing has returned.
“Where have you been?” she whispers sadly.
I shake my confusing thoughts away and concentrate on her question. “Well, I couldn’t stay here. You kind of destroyed everything.”
She looks away, ashamed. “I know and I’m sorry for that.” She tilts her head up and smiles at me shyly. I missed her so much. She grasps my hand firmly and pulls me along the hallway to my bedroom. I lay down on the bed beside her. She pushes me on my back, straddling my hips and pressing her cold lips onto mine. My hands run up her sides and into her silky gold hair.
A wet slap hits the floor in the hallway; I jerk my head away from Jess to see Bailey standing there, her mouth open in shock. Chinese food scattered across the floor.
I frown in confusion, glancing back at a smug Jess. “You can see her?”
Bailey snaps out of it and takes a step back. “Of course I can, Kristian, I’m not blind.” She spins on her heel and dashes down the hall.
“Wait!” I call after her; I gently push Jess off me and stumble down the hallway after her, slipping on the Chinese. By the time I make it to the front door, she’s gone.
***
I can feel Jess’s gaze on me as I slide my shirt over my head. She hasn’t left my side since she came back. I wish I could pay more attention to her, but I can’t stop thinking about the devastated look on Bailey’s face when she saw Jess and I together. I have to make it up to her. As silly as it sounds, she’s the only real friend I’ve ever had.
The walk to the news station is slow and wet. The drizzle hasn’t let up since the parade last week. By the time I reach our desk, I’m shivering. I look around, Bailey isn’t here yet.
I settle myself into my chair and unpack my things, waiting. What am I going to say to her? That my dead girlfriend and I were just fooling around? How could she see Jess, anyway? I thought no one could see her but me.
Bailey swings her bag onto the desk with a heavy thud and pulls out her notebooks and pens. I lean across the desk, trying to get her attention, but she doesn’t lift her eyes to mine. She’s acting like I don’t exist.
“Bailey?” I ask hesitantly. I hear her sigh softly but she doesn’t acknowledge my presence. “Bailey, I can explain.” She turns to the computer screen and turns it on, tapping her pen on the desk with her other hand. “Please?” I ask softly. She huffs something under her breath and turns to me, her blue eyes are like chipped ice. Her expression is so cold, I flinch away from her. “I’m really sorry about last night.” She shakes her head slightly at my apology and turns away, looking back at the computer.
***
I’m burned out by the end of the week. I can’t do this anymore. I walk into work on Friday full of determination. I will make Bailey listen, I will make her understand. She sees me coming and ducks into the printer room before I can reach her. I’m not playing games anymore.
I push the door open and stride over to her, but as soon as her icy gaze meets mine,
my confidence disappears. I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. I stand there like a fumbling idiot, unable to say what I came to say.
Bailey shakes her head with a frown and pushes past me to leave. I reach out and grab her arm. “Wait, Bailey, just listen to me.”
She turns on me, angry. “Why?”
“Why not?” She screws up her nose in distaste. I try again. “I remember you telling me once that you would listen when I was ready to tell you,” I plead quietly. She purses her lips, considering, and then she nods once.
I quickly glance behind us to make sure no one is listening. How do I say this so it will make sense? “She’s dead.” Okay, so maybe not the best choice of words. Can’t take them back now.
Bailey frowns, confused. “What?”
“The girl in my apartment. She died just after we graduated high school.” Her mouth opens in shock and she stares at me. She probably thinks I’m crazy. “You shouldn’t be able to see her. No one else can.”
I loosen my grip on her arm and rub my thumb along her soft skin. She looks away, thinking.
“So this whole time,” she starts slowly, not making eye contact, “You were with another girl.” She frowns and turns on me again, pulling her arm from my grip and poking her finger into my chest, I take a small step back, and she follows. “What kind of person are you? You have a girlfriend, and yet you still kissed me.”
“What? No…” I’m confused.
“You, Kristian Reed, are an asshole.” She spins around and sprints out of the room. I stand still, in shock, trying to understand what she just said. Did she just accuse me of cheating on her with a ghost?
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