by James Hold
***
After our impromptu meeting, the four of us had gone back to the hotel to grab the equipment; packing it up in the back of the crew’s rented SUV. Elliot had pulled me aside once we finished, tugging me into a dark corner of the hotel lobby.
“Eva, are you sure about this?” Elliot was holding my hands between us, searching my face for any signs of doubt. “We can find some other way for this to work.”
“Eli, I’m sure.” I freed one hand to caress his cheek. “I believe this is going to work. I believe Cyrus will protect me if need be.”
“I will be there, too.” Elliot leaned into my touch. “Cyrus isn’t the only one who can help you.”
“I know you are.” I smiled as he tugged on the hand he still held to pull me into his embrace. “Just stay safe yourself, ok? I’ve seen Catherine twice now. She is extraordinarily strong.”
“Twice?” Elliot rested his chin on the top of my head. “I didn’t realize.”
“Yeah. She hit me up in the midst of my beauty routine this morning.” I closed my eyes, relishing in how good it felt to be held by him. “Besides, neither of us can get hurt. You never did take me out for coffee in New York, Eli. I’m holding you to your promise.”
His laughter ruffled my hair as he pulled away just enough to look down at me. “And you have been a really good sport about all this.”
“Exactly.” I hit his chest lightly. “So forget the cheap corner stuff. We’re talking Starbucks quality now, mister.”
Elliot’s only response was to close all distance between us. He kissed me; slow and sweet. I didn’t want this moment to end.
Too bad we were interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. I turned to see Cyrus tapping his fingers against the hotel counter and Joey rolling his eyes as he headed to the door.
“We going or what?” Joey held the door open. “I didn’t lug all those cases down those stairs for nothing, you know.”
“Fine.” I muttered as Elliot returned his grip on my hand. “I guess we shouldn’t keep the others waiting.”
“Guess not. Those two might just go off and leave us here.”
“Do you really think they would?”
“Don’t sound so hopeful.” Elliot smirked as we walked outside. He was right. The other two were already climbing inside the vehicle. “It’ll ruin your reputation as a good ghost hunter if people find out you don’t want to go into spooky old houses.”
“Ah, yes. My ghost hunting reputation. Whatever would I do without it?” I got in the front seat and buckled my seatbelt. “Whatever would I be?”