Love, Like Ghosts: A Bay City Paranormal Investigations Story

you.” Adrian’s father let Greg’s hand slide out of his grip. He walked a few steps toward the kitchen door on the left at the other end of the hall. “Sam!” he called. “They’re here. You and Maia come on out.”
“They’re making blackberry cobbler with some of those berries Dad froze this summer,” Sean explained. “Maia wanted to make dessert and made the mistake of letting Sam help.”
“Sean, that was ugly.” Their father glared, but the corners of his mouth twitched.
Adrian stifled a laugh. Sam liked to help in the kitchen, but he really wasn’t much of a cook. Dad had learned subtle ways to keep him out years ago.
The kitchen swung open and Sam strode down the hallway toward them, followed by a petite, curvy girl with a wild halo of dark curls and big amber eyes sparkling behind a pair of cat-eye glasses. Sam trotted up to Adrian, laughing, and hugged him hard. “Adrian. God, it’s good to see you.”
“You too, Sam.” Adrian coughed when Sam thumped him on the back. He hugged Sam back, grinning. “Sam, I’d like you to meet Greg Woodhall.” He pulled back and nodded toward Greg. “Greg, this is Sam Raintree, my step-dad.”
Sam took Greg’s hand and shook. “It’s great to meet you, Greg.”
“You too, Sam.” Greg returned Sam’s smile. “I was just telling Bo how much I appreciate y’all inviting me to stay here. I want to thank you as well.”
“We’re happy to have you. The more the merrier, as they say.” Sam dropped Greg’s hand and took his husband’s, weaving their fingers together. “Sean?”
“Yep.” Sean walked over and slung an arm around the young woman’s shoulders. “Greg, Adrian, this is Maia Marchand, the most beautiful and talented woman on the planet. Maia, this is my brother Adrian and his boyfriend Greg.”
A pink blush stained Maia’s mocha cheeks, but the look she shot Sean was a fond one. She held out her hand. “Nice to meet y’all.”
“Same here.” Adrian shook her hand. “Did Sean say something about blackberry cobbler?”
“I hope so, because that’s my favorite.” Greg took his turn shaking hands with Maia. “And speaking of food, whatever’s cooking smells amazing.”
Adrian’s dad laughed. “Chicken gumbo, dirty rice, cornbread and green beans. Nothing fancy.”
Leaning against Adrian’s shoulder, Greg let out a moan that had Adrian fighting off a surge of lust. “Man, that sounds fantastic. Especially after nothing but a granola bar and coffee for breakfast and a couple of Krystal burgers for lunch.”
“You ate seven,” Adrian muttered, but he doubted anyone heard him over the explosion of laughter.
“Why don’t you two go ahead and put your things up in your room?” Sam suggested. “We should have dinner on the table by the time you get back downstairs.”
“Okay.” Adrian gave Greg’s shoulder a squeeze. “I’ll give you the grand tour too, after we drop our bags.”
“Sounds good to me.”
They moved apart. While Greg crossed to where Sean had set his luggage, Adrian slung the backpack over his shoulder and lifted his suitcase. He allowed Greg to take his own bag and the sack of presents without saying anything. Greg might take that sort of pampering from Sean, but Adrian knew better. He didn’t much feel like hearing the choice words it would earn him later if he tried to carry Greg’s things for him.
Adrian led Greg up the stairs and to his room at the front corner of the house, overlooking Carlen Street. They both set their bags on the floor in front of Adrian’s closet. Adrian gazed around at the familiar earth-toned walls, burgundy bedding and matching drapes with a smile. Ever since they moved here when he was fourteen, this room had been his sanctuary. He’d never shared it with anyone before. The idea of sharing it with Greg made his heart beat faster with a mix of anticipation and fear.
“So.” Sauntering up to Adrian, Greg wrapped both arms around his waist. “This is your room, huh?”
“It is.” Adrian settled his arms around Greg’s neck and kissed the end of his nose. “What do you think?”
Greg grinned. “I think your dad’s hot.”
Adrian was shocked into laughter. “Oh my God, don’t even talk about my dad like that.”
“Why not? He’s a good-looking man. Him and Sam both, actually, but yeah. Your dad’s definitely hot.” Greg’s fingers traced up and down Adrian’s spine, creating a wave of gooseflesh in their wake. “He looks just like you in thirty