“Yes. He was as shocked as I was. He said he’d been thinking about me, concerned about me, and suddenly he found himself there with me.”
“That’s good. I’m glad he’s expanding his area. But it still doesn’t solve my problem. Even if he has the ability to go away and let me have some time without him, he won’t.”
Teresa’s smile widened and her eyes sparkled. “There’s one more thing. When I told him I was doing okay, he started to leave to return to you. I called him back because I wanted to try to persuade him to spend this evening with me and let you have your time with Jake. That’s when we both discovered I can call him to me and he has to come.”
Amanda’s jaw dropped. She closed her mouth and looked at Charley. “Is that true?”
He didn’t lift his gaze or answer her.
“He doesn’t want to admit it,” Teresa said, “but I assure you, it is true. Apparently last night when I was trying to work with him to help him progress, he and I became attached. I suspect it was because he was fighting me so hard. If you’d done the right thing and moved on, Charley, it wouldn’t have happened.”
Amanda smiled. “Does this mean what I think it means?”
“It does. I have nothing planned for the evening and will be happy to do a little ghost-sitting.”
Amanda felt so light she thought she might be able to float like Charley. “Thank you! How can I ever repay you?”
“I’ve always wanted to learn to ride a motorcycle. Ross and I have a date tomorrow night, so you’re on your own then, but I think we can work out a schedule.”
She gave Teresa a hug. “I’m so glad you’re my friend!”
“Come on, Charley. Let’s go to my place and make popcorn. I’ll send him home tomorrow, Amanda.”
“Tomorrow?” Charley protested. “You want me to leave her alone all night?”
Teresa started down the steps with Charley trailing behind, grabbing at the rail, desperately and futilely attempting to halt his progress.
Jake, his foot on the bottom step, looked up. “Hi, Teresa.”
“Hi, Jake. You and Amanda have a good time tonight.”
Jake grinned. “We will.”
“Wife stealer.” Charley punched Jake in the nose as he and Teresa passed.
Jake blinked and looked surprised but then continued up the stairs to Amanda. “You look great. Beautiful.”
“So do you. Look great, I mean. Maybe not beautiful. Handsome.”
“I’m going to puke,” Charley called. He sat stiffly in Teresa’s car, in the passenger seat, not on the back.
Teresa waved and drove away, taking Charley with her.
Jake took Amanda’s arm and smiled down at her. “Ready?”
She returned his smile. “Oh, yes. I am totally ready.”
Ready to have a life that didn’t always include Charley. Ready to see where this attraction with Jake could lead. Ready for a good-night kiss from warm, living lips.
The afternoon sun shone brightly on the horizon and in Amanda’s heart as she walked down the steps with Jake, into her future.
THE END
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
3 The Ex Who Conned a Psychic Page 20