Love, Like Ghosts: A Bay City Paranormal Investigations Story

swallow of wine. “Oh well, she’s a psychiatrist. A banana’s never, ever just a banana, you know?”
Adrian laughed. “What about your dad? What does he do?”
“He’s a writer.”
“Really? What does he write?” Adrian lifted his glass to his lips.
Greg waited until Adrian had a good mouthful before answering. “Romance.”
Adrian just managed to swallow instead of spraying Greg with Pinot Grigio. He coughed into his napkin while Greg chortled.
“Very funny,” Adrian wheezed once he got his breath back.
Greg flashed an unrepentant grin at him. “Hey, you’re the one who thought it was so surprising for a man to write romance novels.”
“Touché.” Adrian drew a deep breath, which prompted another, albeit shorter, coughing fit. He rubbed at the center of his chest. “It was a surprise, but it’s also pretty cool.”
“I think so.” Tilting his head sideways, Greg leaned forward in his seat. “So, tell me about your family.”
Adrian smirked. “Well, I believe you already know about Sean.”
Clasping his hands in front of him, Greg affected a high, feminine voice. “Oh my God , Sean Broussard is soooo hot !” Greg rolled his eyes. “No offense, but if Sandy doesn’t shut up about your brother I might have to hurt her.”
Sandy Ward wasn’t part of the haunted house group, but she was a good friend of Greg’s and a huge fan of Auburn football. Apparently she’d fallen head over heels for Sean and felt the need to tell Greg all about her feelings. Constantly. At great length. Greg was not best pleased by this and had already told Adrian so more than once. Adrian laughed out loud.
Greg leveled what was probably supposed to be a stern glare at Adrian. “All right, that’s enough of that. Tell me about the rest of your family.”
Adrian took a drink of wine to give himself a moment to think. Although really, what was there to think about? He had nothing to hide when it came to his family. And there was no reason he would be obligated to tell Greg about his psychokinesis tonight.
He tried not to think of the fact that he and Greg were unlikely to be together long enough for the subject to ever come up. That was a negative thought, and he’d promised himself he’d remain positive tonight.
“My mom and dad got divorced when I was eleven,” Adrian began. “Wasn’t pretty, but it turned out to be a good thing. My mom’s remarried to a very nice man. My dad’s also remarried to a very nice man, finally.”
Greg’s eyes went wide. “Your dad’s gay?”
Adrian grinned, pleased that he could surprise Greg so thoroughly. “Yes.”
“And he’s married to his partner?”
“Yeah. He and Sam have been together for ten years but Alabama only passed the law allowing gays to marry last year, so they’ve only been married a few months.” Adrian saw Greg doing the math in his head and coming to the correct conclusion about what had prompted Adrian’s parents’ divorce. Adrian hoped Greg was too polite to bring it up, but decided to try and steer the conversation away from that topic just in case. “I know my dad and Sam didn’t always have an easy time of it, but I’m lucky because they were always there to support me when I came out. I don’t think I ever would’ve survived high school without them.”
The sweet, open expression that made Adrian’s stomach flutter softened Greg’s face. Setting down his glass, Greg took Adrian’s free hand in both of his. “I’m glad they were there for you, Adrian. And I’m glad you’re here now, with me.”
The feel of Greg’s skin against his nearly overwhelmed Adrian’s senses. The room blurred until he couldn’t see anything except Greg’s face.
And he’s only holding my hand. God, what would sex with him be like?
Adrian intended to find out. Not tonight. Not tomorrow night. Hell, probably not this week, or next week. He wanted to get to know Greg first. He had no intention of collecting notches on his bedpost, and he certainly did not want to be a notch on anyone else’s. But if they kept seeing each other, if they continued to enjoy each other’s company as much as they did now…
Oh yes. Adrian had every intention of learning what Greg sounded like when he came.
Twisting his hand in Greg’s grip, he wound their fingers together. “So am I.”
    By the time they left the restaurant the temperature outside had dropped at least ten degrees, the predicted cold front slinking in on a stiff breeze. Remembering how good it had felt to