by L. T. Ryan
“I can show you around the museum, including where we’re setting up the new exhibit.”
“I’d love that.” It was the truth. She’d never been to the NOMA, and even though she’d looked through the collection and as many pictures as she could, it wasn’t the same as visiting in the flesh. “Thank you.”
A man with black hair and sallow skin popped his head in the doorway. He had a faintly British accent. “All right, Jules? Who’s your new friend?”
“It’s Cassie Quinn from Savannah!” Jules didn’t bother hiding her excitement. Cassie didn’t think she’d be able to, even if she tried. “I’m going to show her around here in a minute. Want to join us?”
“Mack’s got me working on a new contraption for the modern wing.” The man looked over at Cassie and shook his head. “I’d apologize for her cheeriness, but there’s no getting around it. Coffee’s in the breakroom if you need it. And you will.”
“Go away, Ashford.” Jules rolled her eyes, but she never stopped smiling. “Let me have my fun.”
“Full name, ouch. Hit a nerve then.” He stepped into the room and held a hand to Cassie. “Call me Ford. Will you be coming out for drinks later?”
“Oh, um.” Cassie looked to Jules, who barely suppressed a squeal, and decided she didn’t have the heart to say no. “Yeah. Of course. Sounds fun.”
6
Cassie thanked the server as he set her fourth or fifth tequila sunrise in front of her. She couldn’t remember the name of the bar, but she knew she’d come back if given the chance. They had a good waitstaff with heavy pours, and their dinner had been hot, fast, and fresh.
Jules had insisted on ordering for Cassie, making her try a barbeque shrimp dip and Creole smoked sausage and even fried alligator. Everything had been incredible, and their table of six had emptied their plates in a matter of minutes.
Then came their entrees.
Cassie had ordered a shrimp po’boy, but Jules insisted she share her gumbo. Ford had gotten an entire seafood platter, and Cassie couldn’t begin to name what the others had. It all smelled and looked delicious, and she dug in without humility or grace. She had no shame when it came to good food.
That was an hour ago. They’d started ordering drinks immediately after, enjoying the cool breeze on the outdoor patio. It was a chilly evening for Louisiana, but the bar had placed stylish propane heaters near each table. It was warm enough that Cassie had slipped off her jacket and hung it on the back of her chair.
This was the best kind of dinner, one where Jules’ friends included her in the conversation but didn’t grill her about what she did or where she was from or how she liked the city. If she had something to say, she said it. And if she didn’t, the others made their own conversation. They were loud in a way where you wanted to be in on the jokes, and she found moments where she enjoyed their company, even if she still wanted to try out that jacuzzi tub back at her hotel.
Then there were the other moments, the ones in between the happiness where she remembered David wouldn’t be texting to check in, and she couldn’t pick up the phone to tell him she was at a dueling piano bar that he would’ve loved with every fiber of his being. The music emanating from inside was loud, and the raucous laughter accompanying the musicians’ muffled jokes throughout their sets made Cassie smile. She could see David raising a beer in salute to their talent.
But he would never be able to do that again. Someone had made sure of it. The tequila turned her grief into anger, and she drained her drink in one go. No one took notice when she ordered another.
She couldn’t decide if it would’ve been better to be by herself or surrounded by strangers she’d met a couple hours ago. At the very least, Jules and Ford’s banter was entertaining. They were so obviously in love with each other, yet there was a practiced distance between them. If they got too close, their gravitational pull would keep them from ever escaping.
Cassie then thought of Jason. She wondered where he was and what he was doing. She knew he had taken a few days off to attend a funeral, but he hadn’t offered specifics, and she didn’t want to pry. Their text messages, while short and sporadic because of their current schedules, still filled her with a sense of hope. And longing.
Jules leaned over to her. “Twenty-six.”
Cassie thought the music had warped Jules’ words. “Huh?”
“Twenty-six.” Jules pointed to Cassie’s phone. “You’ve picked up your phone and immediately set it down twenty-six times in the last hour. Who are you hoping will send you a message?”
“No one.” When Jules raised an eyebrow in disbelief, Cassie rolled her eyes. “This guy. He works at the museum back in Savannah. He just hasn’t texted me in a while, that’s all.”
“That means you should text him first.”
“I don’t want to bother him.”
“Something tells me he wants you to bother him.”
“You couldn’t possibly know that.”
Jules winked, and her large, golden peacock earrings flashed in the firelight. “I’m psychic.”
Cassie laughed. It was a good enough reason as any to reach out to him. To at least see how he was doing. She leaned closer to Jules. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Ask him what he’s up to.” Jules nodded her head until her earrings jangled. “It’s a nice open-ended question. It shows interest. But it’s short and simple. You’ll get the tone of the conversation from however he responds.”
“You make this sound easier than it is.”
Jules waved her off. “Sometimes you just have to shoot your shot.”
Cassie pointedly looked at Ford, who was staring into the fire as though in a trance, then back at Jules. “When are you going to follow your own advice?”
Jules scrunched her face and cast a glance over at Ford. She didn’t notice, but when she turned back to Cassie, Ford’s gaze shifted and followed her every movement. “I will follow my advice on a day that’s not today. But you should. I have a good feeling about this.”
“Because you’re psychic.”
Jules’ eyes twinkled. “Because I’m psychic.”
Cassie sighed and picked up her phone, unlocking it and tapping on her conversation with Jason. She read through his last few responses, but none of them indicated whether he was in the mood to talk. Cassie felt the tequila taking the reins, and before she backed out, she typed up the message and hit send.
His response was immediate.
I was just about to ask you the same question.
Cassie’s heart kicked into high gear. She looked at Jules, who had a smug look on her face. She tapped her head and smirked. “Psychic.”
Cassie was about to ask what she should say—Jules was clearly better at this than she was, even if she couldn’t follow her own advice and take the leap with Ford—when Jason sent through another text message. “It’s a video.”
Jules leaned so close she was cheek to cheek with Cassie. “Looks like he’s out with friends, too.”
Cassie hit play, and Jason’s face filled her screen. His sepia skin glowed in the light of an overhead lamp, but his eyes locked her in place. She had stared into them countless times, but she’d never seen them so bright before—like topaz illuminated from behind. He was so close to the camera, she could see a caramel-colored flame circling his pupil.
“Hey.” Jason’s voice was deep and easy. He had to move the camera closer so she could hear him over the din of the music in the background. Even with a screen between them, Cassie felt a blush creep up her neck at his proximity. “I’m out with my cousins. We wanted a couple drinks before the funeral tomorrow. I hope you—”
Suddenly, someone wrenched the phone from his grasp. A young woman with the same smile and same eyes stared into the camera and fluffed her downy curls. She looked over at Jason, who was reaching for his phone from just off-camera. “Who are you talking to?”
“No one.” Jason laughed as she held him at arm’s length, with the phone just out of grasp. “K
iki, come on. Give it back.”
“You’re not talking to yourself. Who is it?”
“I told you, it’s—”
Her eyes lit up. “Is it Cassie?” Kiki turned back to the camera, as though she were looking directly into Cassie’s eyes. “Girl, he is so into you. He won’t shut up—”
Someone pulled the phone from her grasp, and for a minute, Cassie could only see the floor. Then another unfamiliar face filled the screen. He was broader than Jason, with a bit more weight in his face, but he and Jason could’ve been brothers.
“Cassie. Ty here. Nice to meet you.” Ty laughed as Jason yelled from across the table. “We’re having a great time. Wish you were here. Jay does, too. Is he playing hard to get? If he is, let me know. I’ll set him straight.”
The phone tilted again, and Kiki came into view. “I’m going to send this before Jason del—”
The video cut off there. Cassie’s face was flaming, and it felt like the entire table was looking at her. She was torn between laughing and crying and jumping for joy. The tequila running through her system made her want to launch out of her chair and dance across the table.
Another message came a second later. I’m so sorry. My family is ridiculous.
“Cassie.” Jules’ tone was serious. “Did you hear the song playing in the background?”
“No.” She had been a little preoccupied with everything else. “What was it?”
“Go back and listen.” Jules flapped her hands. “Hurry.”
Cassie hit play again and held the phone up to her ear. She forced herself to ignore Jason’s silken voice, to hear past Kiki and Ty’s antics, and tune into the song in the background. She could just barely pick out the lyrics.
“‘Piano Man’?” Cassie turned to Jules. “Kind of on the nose, don’t you think?”
The video ended, and Jules pointed at the speaker above their heads. “Listen.”
Cassie tilted her ear to the speaker. It wasn’t hard to hear the music above the din of the restaurant, but it was difficult to pick out the individual words. Slowly, she recognized the melody, heard the harmonies, and finally—finally—realized what Jules was trying to tell her.
Unless the universe was playing a cruel joke on her, she and Jason were in the exact same bar, listening to the exact same song.
7
Jules pushed Cassie out of her seat and toward the door to the bar. With an encouraging nod, she returned to their table, leaning close to Ford, and undoubtedly sharing what had just happened.
For a split second, Cassie wondered if Jules really was psychic.
But as she pulled open the door, the heat of the room snapped Cassie back to reality. Clusters of people huddled around tiny tables and lined the walls. She tried to picture where he’d been sitting when his cousins tossed the phone between themselves and realized he must be at a booth in the back. She’d have to wade through a sea of people to get within reach of him. Then what? Pull him away from his family? She wasn’t sure she could do that.
Then again, what were the chances they’d end up at the same bar in the same city, miles away from home?
Cassie wound her way through the crowd, trying not to jostle anyone’s drinks. If slipping between dozens of drunk people gesticulating wildly was an Olympic sport, she’d have a gold medal. Somehow, she managed not to step on anyone’s toes or start any fights.
As she made her way to the other end of the bar, she spotted Kiki’s cloud of curls. Her heart dropped into her stomach and then shot up into her throat. It was pounding so hard she felt lightheaded. She knew it was Kiki, and yet, she wouldn’t believe it until—
Two men sat side by side, their backs to Cassie. One had broad shoulders, while the other was taller and leaner. The smaller one had an arm slung over his cousin’s back, and with his other hand, he lifted a drink in celebration. Cassie didn’t need to see his face.
She would know him anywhere.
She tucked herself against the wall at the end of the bar, hoping she wouldn’t be in the way of the servers as they left to deliver drinks. But nobody paid her any attention, and even when Kiki scanned the room from across the table, she didn’t recognize Cassie. Jason had obviously told them about her, but had they seen her picture? What did they know about her?
It took Cassie a moment to figure out what to do. Approach the table and hope they’d invite her to sit down? Have a drink delivered along with a message to meet her at the bar? Cassie decided she’d have a little fun with it first, so she pulled out her phone.
I think someone’s checking you out.
Jason immediately leaned forward to check his messages. Kiki snatched for his phone, but he was too fast. The response came seconds later.
Doubt it. She’s probably looking at Ty.
No, she’s definitely looking at you.
Oh yeah? How do you know that?
She told me. Cassie was grinning like a maniac. The two men at the pianos across the room ended one song and started another. Do you like David Bowie?
Jason looked over at the pianos, then back down at his phone. Kiki saw the change in his demeanor and said something, but he didn’t answer. He just kept staring at his phone.
Cassie let him off the hook. Turn around.
Very funny.
I’m not joking.
Jason pushed his chair back and stood up. His table went quiet as he turned around and scanned the bar. Cassie stepped out from against the wall. When their eyes connected, it was like everything else faded away—the music, the people, the bar itself. Her heart stopped and didn’t start again until Jason’s face lit up in his trademark smile.
Before she knew it, they were standing toe to toe. She looked up into his face while he looked down at her, wonder and confusion and elation written in his eyes. Cassie couldn’t help the giggle that escaped her mouth, even though it made her sound like a love-struck teenager. She refused to be embarrassed. His presence washed away any hint of darkness closing in on her earlier.
“How?” Jason brushed a piece of hair away from her face and shook his head, as if to reset his focus. “What are you doing here?”
“Work trip.” She wasn’t sure she could speak in complete sentences. “Only a couple days.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Didn’t know.” She cleared her throat and took a deep breath. Come on, Quinn. Pull yourself together. “I didn’t know you would be here. A couple people at the museum invited me out. I almost didn’t come.”
Jason’s smile widened. His voice was low and measured, but she didn’t miss a single word. “I’m glad you did.”
Cassie forced herself to look at his table. They were all staring at them. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. I just wanted to say hi. I’ll let you get back to your family.”
“No, no.” Panic crossed his face. “Have a drink with me? Just one. If I buy them a round, they’ll leave us alone for at least fifteen minutes. Twenty if Kiki is feeling generous.”
“Okay.”
“Really? Are you sure?” Jason looked around. “Do you have to get back to your table?”
“I can stay for a drink.” She was giddy with the idea. “Jules won’t leave without me.”
“Awesome.” Jason was breathless. “Wait right there. I’ll be back. Don’t leave.”
She laughed. “I won’t.” When he still didn’t move, she placed her hand on his chest and pushed. “I won’t.”
Jason returned to his table, and everyone leaned in close to hear what he was saying. Simultaneously, six heads turned in her direction. Cassie could feel the blush on her face reaching her toes. She waved, and Kiki threw her head back and laughed. Ty whooped. One of the other cousins slapped Jason on the back. A moment later, he was by her side again.
“Kiki promised me she’d behave, but I don’t trust her. She’s had a lot of rum.” They found a spot next to the bar. “What are you drinking?”
“Tequila sunrise.”
Jason waited for the bartender to sp
ot them, then ordered her drink and a round of shots for the table. He got a glass of water.
“Designated driver?”
Jason nodded. “We drew straws. I think Ethan rigged it.”
She laughed. “I’m so sorry.”
He shrugged. “It’s okay. We’ll probably be doing a lot of drinking over the next few days. My family isn’t really into the whole mourning period thing. It’s more about throwing parties and getting together. But it helps, in its own way.”
“I’m Irish. I know how that goes.” Cassie’s smile faded. “Were you close?”
“Yeah. Most of us grew up together. A few of us have moved away, but most of the family still lives around here. We get together as much as we can.” Jason took a sip of water and turned to Cassie. His eyes were darker now than they’d been in the video. Sadness had clouded their light. “Jasmine had a heart defect, so she’d been sick her whole life. Doctors told her she wouldn’t live past forty, but she was doing well, all things considered. It’s not like this was her first surgery. She got through it, but I guess it took its toll.”
“Complications?”
Jason nodded. “That’s what they told us. We thought she’d been doing fine, but a couple days later, she just crashed. Everyone was surprised. Her sister—” Jason’s voice cracked. He cleared it before he moved on. “She’s taking it pretty hard.”
Cassie remembered the dream she had on the airplane. She didn’t know the woman in the bed—hadn’t been able to read her chart—but she hoped it wasn’t Jason’s cousin. If so, how would she tell him there was something more going on? How could she explain his cousin’s death wasn’t because of complications but a Ghost Doctor meddling in the affairs of the living?
She settled for the only other words she could think of in the moment. “I’m sorry.”
“Thank you.” He smiled, and though there was still pain behind it, it seemed genuine. “But what about you? How are you doing?”
Cassie fought the urge to say she was fine, that life was going great. He’d been honest with her about what was going on with him, so the least she could do was pay it back in kind. “I’m okay.”