Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 101168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
“Yeah, actually, is there an e-card company that handles disinviting people to your wedding while stoned on a balcony?”
“Probably,” Emma said.
Jamie’s heart was beginning to flip with excitement, like it was jumping up and down for joy in their chest. They wouldn’t have to white-knuckle it through hours and hours of being referred to as Emma’s sister. They wouldn’t have to fake smile politely as extended family said, “A haunter?” and whatever followed every time they were asked what they did for a living. They wouldn’t need to take pictures with their mother in her politician pose that she’d sort through later to use on her website. And Edgar—kind, loving, beautiful Edgar—wouldn’t be subjected to any of it.
“If you’re serious, I would absolutely fucking love to not go to your wedding,” Jamie said.
“I’m very serious,” Emma confirmed.
Jamie felt light enough to drift up into the sky and float among the stars.
“I just have one more question,” Jamie said.
“Oh god,” Emma said. “Okay, let’s just get all the ways I’m a shit sister over with at once.”
“Are you scared to lose your virginity on your wedding night?” they joked.
Emma ducked her head. “Okay, listen, you can’t tell anyone. But I am kind of scared.” She turned wide, terrified eyes to Jamie.
Jamie’s mind went blank with guilt, and they stammered. They’d never thought… They’d just assumed…
Now it was Emma’s turn to elbow Jamie in the ribs. “Kidding.”
Jamie snorted with laughter and relaxed back on the bench.
“So anyway, your boyfriend’s really hot,” Emma said.
“That he is,” Jamie agreed enthusiastically. “That he is.”
30
Edgar
Edgar stared miserably out the truck window as Poe drove.
“Are you okay?” Poe asked after a while.
“No.”
Edgar was not in any way okay. His wonderful Jamie had invited him to be their date, and he had utterly failed them. He’d wanted one night, just one, where he could stand next to Jamie and make them proud. Where he could prove that he could be a partner to them. And his fear—his exhausting fucking fear—had made it impossible.
“I’m so goddamn sick of this,” he said. “I’m so sick of being scared all the time. I—it was okay when I was alone, but—”
“No, it fucking wasn’t,” Poe said.
He spun the wheel and pulled into an empty parking lot. The baby gurgled in the back seat. Poe threw the truck in park and turned to Edgar.
“So glad you pulled over just so you could glare at me more effectively,” Edgar muttered.
“Brother,” Poe said. “This isn’t about Jamie. It isn’t even about the ghosts. This shit is about you. Please listen to me. I’m not trying to be a dick. I’m just…fucking bad at talking to people sometimes, okay?”
He raked a hand through his hair frustratedly but looked right at Edgar.
“It fucking kills me to watch you,” Poe said. “I can’t even imagine how Jamie must feel. You’re…you’re a fucking prince, man. You’re smart and kind, and you manage to put up with dipshits like me. This isn’t any fucking way to live. You have to listen to me, please.”
Edgar couldn’t remember the last time he’d heard Poe say please to anyone, and now he’d said it twice in the span of a minute. He was desperate. And he was right. It wasn’t any fucking way to live.
“You’re right,” Edgar said.
Poe immediately opened his mouth to protest, then registered what Edgar had said. “Wait, what?”
“You’re right. It’s no way to live.”
“Oh. Well then. Good.”
The germ of an idea tickled Edgar’s brain. Tonight was the end. It was easier to think of it as being about Jamie. But Jamie was not the reason; they were the reward. Getting to have a life with them. Getting to have a life at all.
“I’m gonna fix it. Now.”
“You’re…what?”
Yes, this was right. “Can you drop me off at Lafayette Number One?”
“It’s closed by now.”
“I know,” Edgar said.
***
The cemetery was six blocks from Edgar’s apartment, and he’d avoided even walking past it ever since he moved in. Now he was seeking it out for the same reason he’d always avoided it.
Poe pulled up in front of Commander’s Palace, the cemetery gates looming, and Edgar got out.
“Do you want me to come with you?” Poe offered.
Edgar was sorely tempted to take him up on his offer. Just imagining Poe holding a baby and a kitten was enough to make seeking out a ghost seem less scary. But this was something he had to do on his own.
“No, thanks. I’ll be okay.”
Poe raised a hand, like he wanted to reach for Edgar, then let it drop back into his lap. “Do you want me to wait?” he offered.
“Now who’s scared?” Edgar teased. He tried to hit Poe with a reassuring grin, but his teeth chattered.
“Text me when you get home,” Poe said, sounding a lot like Allie.
“I will.”
Edgar closed the truck door quietly so as not to disturb Nour.