Love, Like Ghosts: A Bay City Paranormal Investigations Story

inner Sean was completely right. Forcing himself to his feet, Adrian headed into the bathroom to clean up before going to bed. He could worry—if necessary—later. Right now, he was determined to enjoy whatever happened with Greg while it lasted.

Chapter Five
    Wednesday’s classes went by in a blur. Adrian gave himself a mental pat on the back for having read ahead in Quantum Mechanics, because otherwise he wouldn’t have had any idea what they covered that day. All he could think of was Greg. What had happened last night, and what he hoped might happen tomorrow night.
    At least he didn’t have class with Ryan today. He wasn’t sure he was up to explaining why he wouldn’t be attending any more parties.
His last class didn’t end until four. By the time he arrived at Groome Castle, most of the cast and crew were already there, huddled in the spacious foyer. He set his laptop bag beside the front door along with all the others and scanned the crowd.
He spotted Greg on the other side of the room, deep in conversation with Marisa. Adrian stood still, heart pounding. Things had changed since this time yesterday. How should he greet Greg? With a simple hello? A handshake? A hug?
And how sad was it that he was standing here frozen with indecision over how to say hello to someone?
Before he could overcome his paralysis, Greg turned his head and spotted Adrian. Even from fifteen feet away, Adrian saw the way Greg’s eyes lit up. Cutting Marisa off mid-sentence, Greg jogged across the floor to Adrian’s side, a wide smile on his face.
“Hi, Adrian.” Greg took Adrian’s hand and gave it a quick squeeze. “Where’ve you been?”
“Math class. It doesn’t let out until four.” Adrian reluctantly let Greg’s fingers slip from his. “So. What are we doing today?”
“I guess you tech types are working on the effects. The rest of us are doing a dress rehearsal for the ghosts and such. Which means I need to go get the makeup on.” Greg glanced over his shoulder to where his fellow actors were filing into the main hall. “Will you walk me back to my dorm again tonight after rehearsal? I know it isn’t all that far, really, but the road back to campus is pretty dark and I’d rather not walk it by myself.”
The sparkle in Greg’s eyes told Adrian that fear for his safety wasn’t the only reason Greg wanted an escort tonight. But the bruise on his face provided a stark reminder that, all flirting aside, Greg shouldn’t walk alone after dark.
Before he could think about it too hard, Adrian lifted his hand and brushed his fingertips over the purplish swelling on Greg’s jaw. Greg’s breath hitched, and Adrian smiled. “I’m glad you asked, because I was going to walk you back anyway.”
“Cool.” Greg leaned into Adrian’s touch for a moment before backing away. “I have to go. We can meet up in the foyer at eight if we don’t see each other again before that, how about it?”
“Sounds good.”
Greg’s smile kicked up a notch. He turned and hurried across the room. Adrian watched him until he was out of sight. God, his ass looked good in those snug, faded jeans.
“Damn, he’s got a great ass.”
Startled, Adrian whipped around to face Chelsea, who stood behind him. “Oh. Uh. Hi, Chelsea.”
“Hi.” She flashed an evil grin. “You’re aware that you were staring at Greg’s ass like you wanted to eat it raw, right?”
Adrian lifted his chin and held her gaze in spite of his burning cheeks. “Yep. What’s your excuse?”
Her jaw dropped open, then she burst out laughing. Hooking her arm through Adrian’s, she pulled him in the direction Greg had gone. “Okay, you have to tell me what happened.”
“What makes you think anything happened?”
“Hm, let’s see. Maybe because yesterday you were ignoring each other, and today you’re holding his hand and staring at his butt?”
Adrian laughed. “I see your point.”
They walked into the main hall. Pushing open the black plywood door they’d built to cover half the opening into the room, Chelsea led him into the backstage area they’d created. “So?”
“So, what?”
“So what happened?”
Snickering at the frustrated growl in Chelsea’s voice, Adrian followed her to the opening into the hallway leading to the back of the house. “I ran into him last night when I was leaving a party, and he asked me out.”
And I want to go out with him, God, do I ever, but I’m scared to death, because I want him to keep liking me as much as he