Oleander House: Bay City Paranormal Investigations, Book 1

had to say to him.
    Watching her calmly going about the business of videotaping the space, though, he had to wonder if he’d been wrong. So far Amy hadn’t said a word that didn’t have to do with their work, nor had she acted as though there was anything other than business on her mind. Sam couldn’t decide whether to be relieved or worried.
    Amy shut off the video camera. “Okay, that’s it for video. We’ll go through again with audio and stills now. You keep the EMF and thermometer.”
    Very carefully, she put the video camera into the bag and took out the thirty-five mm, and suddenly Sam couldn’t wait a second longer. He touched Amy’s shoulder before she could switch on the audio recorder. “Amy, wait.”
    She turned toward him. “What is it?”
    He bit his lip. “Why’d you want be teamed up with me?”
She raised her eyebrows. “I told you, we haven’t worked together yet. I thought we should.”
“That’s true, but it’s not why you wanted to work with me today. Tell me the real reason.”
She sighed. “I hadn’t really planned to be this blunt, but I guess there’s no point in dancing around it.” She stared up at Sam with a determined look in her eye. “I know what’s going on between you and Bo.”
Sam’s stomach dropped into his feet, even though he’d expected as much. “What’re you talking about?”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about.”
“Why don’t you tell me anyway?”
Amy glared at him. He glared right back at her, hoping she couldn’t hear the hammering of his heart. “I’ve seen how you look at each other,” she said, her voice low and tight. “I don’t know you well enough to know how you feel. But I know Bo, probably better than he’d like. He’s more vulnerable than he lets on, Sam. Don’t play with him.”
Sam wanted to insist she was wrong and act indignant that she would suggest he was gay. But there didn’t seem to be any point. “What makes you think I’d take advantage of him in any way?”
“Nothing. I have no reason to think you would, and I’m not saying that you will. But Bo’s one of my best friends, and he’s not always so good at looking out for himself. I just don’t want to see him hurt.”
Sam met Amy’s gaze without flinching. “I won’t lie to you, Amy. I like Bo, and I’m attracted to him. But nothing’s happened between us, and nothing’s going to happen. If Bo’s ever hurt, it won’t be by me.”
Amy nodded, her gaze never leaving Sam’s face. “Thank you for being honest with me. I appreciate that.”
Sam shoved away the twinge of guilt at his lie. It was just one kiss, he told himself. “I’d like you to keep this quiet, huh? I’m not ready to tell everyone else that I’m gay.”
“No problem.” Amy’s face broke into a wide smile. “And just so you know, I told Bo the same thing I told you. That he shouldn’t play with you.”
Sam took a couple of shallow breaths. “And why would he play with me? He’s straight. Not to mention married.”
Amy went still. Sam could see the struggle going on behind her eyes. “Things aren’t always what they seem,” she said quietly. “Bo doesn’t always realize how others interpret the things he says or does. Now let’s get back to work.”
She turned away and switched the audio recorder on. Sam dutifully started monitoring the EMF and temperature levels, looking for any fluctuations in response to Amy’s questions. He was grateful for the routine of the investigation, which calmed the turmoil in his mind and let him think. Amy hadn’t actually said anything he hadn’t expected, but the reality of her knowing hit him harder than he’d thought it would.
They finished their investigation without further conversation. Sam watched Amy out of the corner of his eye as they turned off and packed up the equipment. If she doubted his good intentions or harbored any lingering anger, it didn’t show in her face.
I won’t hurt him, Sam promised himself as he and Amy climbed the steps back out into the sunshine. But I’ll have the truth. He figured he deserved to know how Bo really felt about him, whatever that might be .
He only hoped he was ready to hear it.
    Back inside the house, Sam deposited the tapes and equipment in their proper places and headed straight upstairs. He grabbed his towel from his room and managed to make it across the hall to the bathroom without running into anyone else. He spent longer than he strictly needed to under the soothing