Love, Like Ghosts: A Bay City Paranormal Investigations Story

trust me, he can’t hold a candle to you in any way whatsoever.”
“No, it’s got nothing to do with him.” Adrian glanced at the man in question, who was leaning against the bar flirting with a handsome man in a dark blue suit. “I’ve been wondering that ever since you asked me.”
“I thought we cleared that up the other night.” Greg took a sip of wine. “I asked you out because I like you.”
Adrian smiled at the warmth in Greg’s voice. “I believe you. But you’re talented, good-looking and popular. And obviously there are dozens of guys who’d fall all over themselves at the chance to go out with you. Not all of them are like Trey, I’m sure. So why do you want me, in particular?”
Greg studied Adrian’s face. “Truth?”
“Yes.” Adrian’s pulse sped up, but he held Greg’s gaze without flinching. Always best to know the truth, however ugly it might be.
Setting his wineglass down, Greg leaned on his elbows. “At first, I just wanted you because you’re ungodly hot. But when I told you I wanted you to fuck me, and you pushed me away? That did it. I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
Adrian let that digest for a moment. It still didn’t make any sense. He frowned. “What?”
“You wanted me as much as I wanted you. Any other guy would’ve had us both in bed with his cock up my ass inside five minutes. But not you.” Greg flashed a grin that made Adrian’s insides turn somersaults. “What can I say? You’re different. It intrigues the hell out of me. Makes me want to know more about you.” Reaching across the table, Greg took Adrian’s hand and wove their fingers together. “And here we are, out on a date. I’d say this is the perfect opportunity to learn all about each other, wouldn’t you?”
Adrian made himself hold Greg’s gaze and not stare at their intertwined hands. God, he was holding hands with Greg, in a crowded restaurant , where everyone could see. Everyone around them would know instantly that they were more than just friends . The knowledge excited and terrified him.
“You’re absolutely right,” he heard himself say, and the calmness in his voice surprised him. “What would you like to know?”
The sudden mischievous sparkle in Greg’s eyes made the butterflies in Adrian’s stomach—which had settled down during the walk to the restaurant—flutter to life. “What’s your favorite sex toy?”
“Greg!”
“Sorry, sorry, I couldn’t resist.” Greg squeezed Adrian’s hand, then let go and leaned back in his chair. “There’s one thing I’ve been wondering, for real.”
Adrian eyed Greg with caution. “What’s that?”
“Well, don’t take this the wrong way, but why’re you here instead of State? Isn’t that the place to go for physics?”
“I’m here on the Voltner Scholarship.”
Greg’s brows drew together. “The what now?”
“Dr. Voltner’s a theoretical physicist working for NASA. He got his degree here, and decided to offer a full four-year physics scholarship each year in order to encourage other physics students to study here. I had to promise to go on to get my doctorate, but that fit right in with my plans so it wasn’t any big deal.” Picking up his wineglass, Adrian took a sip. He held the tart wine on his tongue for a moment before swallowing. “What about you? What’re your plans for after graduation?”
“Broadway, what else? The roar of the greasepaint, the smell of the crowd.” One shoulder hitched up in a careless shrug. “I think my parents are still hoping I’ll change my mind.”
“Why?” The second he said it, Adrian wished he could take it back. Sometimes he forgot that not everyone appreciated his bluntness. “Sorry. That’s none of my business.”
Greg looked surprised. “No, that’s fine.” He lifted his glass and swirled the wine around, watching the light glint in the pale liquid. “The theater’s not an easy business to break into, and it’s not an easy life. They worry, that’s all.”
“Oh.” Adrian studied the angle of Greg’s jaw, the curve of his mouth, the way his long lashes cast shadows on his cheeks. “I can see that.”
Greg’s gaze caught and held Adrian’s. He smiled, gray eyes shining with something Adrian couldn’t name but which started a warm glow deep in his belly. “Well, my dad worries. My mom thinks I’m subconsciously picking a career that’s stereotypically gay because I’m unsure of my sexuality.”
“Wow.”
“You said it.” Greg took a long