Me and My Ghoulfriends (5 page)

“Don’t worry, I can help you. I can be there as early as this weekend. Would that work for you?”

“Two days?” She hesitated. “Yes, I suppose that will be fine,” she said reluctantly. “I’ll take tomorrow off. Like I said, I can’t go in there.”

“I’d come sooner, but I’ll have to get someone to run my store for me. I’m terribly sorry I can’t make it before that.”

“I understand completely. I’m just thankful for your help. I hope it’s not too big an inconvenience for you?”

The bell chimed and I glanced up to see who had entered. My stomach did a somersault when I saw who was steadily walking toward me.

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Me and My Ghoulfriends

Chapter 3

Callahan and his gorgeous smile were moving my way. The best way I would describe my expression would probably be gawking. I was
gawking
at him. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

“Hello, Miss Donavan? Are you still there?” Monica’s voice snapped me from my musings.

“Um, er. Yes, I’m still here. Sorry, I had a customer walk in. I’ll take down your number and give you a call as soon as I arrive in Greensburg.”

“Thank you so much, this means so much to me. You have no idea how much this means to me.”

“Maybe you’d better not thank me until your problem is solved.” I didn’t want her to get her hopes up too much. What if I couldn’t get rid of the spirit?

Callahan was eyeing me as he leafed through Stephen King’s latest book. What could he possibly be doing here? Duh. I’m so stupid. Of course, he’d come for a book. Why else would he be in a bookstore?

But… What if by some crazy chance he’d come to ask me out? Maybe he would take me to the new fabulous French restaurant in town; we’d have wine and gourmet food, then we would go for a leisurely stroll in the park and gaze up at the twinkling stars, chatting for hours. He’d tell me how beautiful I looked, and of course I’d be unbelievably witty and charming the entire evening, making him laugh and immediately fall in love with me.

Monica jarred me back again as she rattled off her phone number. I had to get off the phone with her, pronto. With all the long pauses I was giving her, if I didn’t, she’d think I was even more nuts than she probably already did. Most people thought that about me because of my hobby anyway.

Grabbing a pen, I scribbled her number on the pad of paper next to me.

“I got it. I’ll call you soon, all right, Monica?”

“All right, Miss Donavan, and thanks again.”

“You’re welcome. And please, call me Larue.”

Callahan smiled, peeking above his book, flashing his glittering blue eyes at me. Swoon.

“Thanks, Larue.”

I clicked off from Monica, almost wishing I still had the phone between Callahan and me. At least then I wouldn’t have to talk with him, because honestly, I worried I’d say all the wrong things. I slowly put the phone down and nervously smiled at him. The silence between us was quickly becoming very awkward.

“I’ve been meaning to buy a new book for some time now,” he said as he raised the book in a gesture for emphasis.

“Well, you sure came to the right place then. I have tons of books.” I laughed. Did I really just say that? So much for me being witty and charming. Less than a minute into the conversation, and that fantasy was already shattered to pieces.

“Yes, I suppose I did.” He laughed.

Callahan looked down at the table full of books in front of him.

I tried to read his face, maybe it would give be a clue as to why he was there; had he really come to buy a book? Whatever the reason for his unexpected visit, I wasn’t complaining. I could certainly become accustomed to his gorgeous face.

Mindy would be pissed when she found out he had come over and I hadn’t tape recorded our entire conversation. I hoped I could hang onto every word to give her a play by play. Moving out from behind the counter, I forced my legs to walk toward him. If it weren’t for him thinking I was completely insane, I would have helped my legs along by placing my hands on them and forcing each leg to take another step. At that point they needed the help, before I became frozen to the spot. Finally, I moved.

As I inched closer to Callahan, Abe popped up directly behind him. Standing there with his suit and huge hat, beaming with a smile from ear to ear. Uh oh! That meant nothing but trouble.

“Are you all right?” Callahan asked. He’d noticed my displeased expression.

“Um…” Think fast. “You have a bug on your shoulder.”

I reached over and pulled the imaginary creature from his shoulder as Abe watched with a sly smile on his face. He knew I hated it when he did that. I’d warned him repeatedly: Do not pop up when others are around, it’s enormously distracting.

“I got it!”

I threw the imaginary bug on the ground, stomped it feverishly and looked back up at his face to read his expression. By the look of his scrunched nose and eyes, he must have thought it was the vilest insect ever.

At that moment, the sunlight flowed past a break in the clouds, gleaming through the window, hitting Callahan right in his eyes; he squinted to see me. I was thankful for his momentary blurred vision because maybe now he wouldn’t see me glaring at Abe. I needed to think of something to say quickly. I usually had no problems with conversation, but around him I was tongue-tied.

Finally, I said, “So, do you need some help picking out a book?”

I figured I’d just treat him like an ordinary customer. That was the best idea I could come up with, at the moment. But, sadly, curiosity was plucking away at me and I truly wanted him to be there for me. Not just some book.

“I… I think I’ll take this one,” he stammered.

He fidgeted. If I hadn’t known better, I’d have sworn he was nervous.

“Excellent choice. I loved that book. I really think you’ll like it too.” I smiled at him.

His gaze locked on me.

I swallowed hard and bit my lip, thinking about the situation at hand. I soon realized my heart was pitter-pattering worse than it ever had during any of my ghost hunts. Without giving a second thought, I glanced over at Abe who was still lingering where I didn’t want him to.

With a wave of his hand, he motioned for me to continue the conversation. Prodding me to move forward in the dialogue.

I raised my eyebrow and eyed him agitatedly, mouthing
be quiet
in his direction. Only problem was, I forgot Callahan was still watching me. He had moved away from the sun and could now see me.

“Did you say something?”

“I’ll ring that up for you.” I said as I grabbed the book from his hands.

Whew. More quick thinking, except now he probably thought I was trying to get rid of him. Again, my mind was trying to think of something clever to say so he wouldn’t think I was completely nuts. Nothing came out. Apparently, talking to dead people was much easier for me than talking to live ones.

I trudged over to the register and he obediently followed. Slowly I pushed at the buttons on the register, turning to look at him and smile every few seconds. After giving him his total, I met his gaze. If he continued to look at me with those piercing baby blues, he could have anything in the store he wanted. And that wasn’t limited to books, either. Suddenly, his eyes shifted and I quickly handed him his change. I didn’t dare touch his fingers, I did not know what I would do if I did.

“Um. I was wondering…” he said.

I swallowed hard. What was he going to ask? Oh God, what if he were asking me for a discount?

“Would you be interested in joining me for dinner sometime?”

Yay! He hadn’t asked for a discount on his purchase…
Remain calm.

I didn’t know exactly what to say. Did I answer right away or play it cool? Who am I kidding? I doubt I could actually play it cool even if I tried. I needed to say something soon because the pause was beginning to be very weird.

“Yes, I’d like that.” All the debating in my mind and that was the best answer I could think up. It served its purpose though, because I had just agreed to go to dinner with Mr. Yummy. Now, if I could remember not to call him that to his face, I’d be okay.

“How about tomorrow night?”

Abe was nodding
yes
feverishly.

I glanced away from him and focused my eyes on Callahan.

“I… yes, that would be fine.” Tomorrow night would be more than fine, it would be fabulous.

“Do you have plans?” He gave me an uncertain look.

If he only knew.

He continued, “If you do I understand completely. I know it’s really short notice.”

“No!”

All right, that wasn’t meant to come out as a scream.

“Er… No,” I said calmly. “I do have to go out of town this weekend, but I’m not leaving until Saturday morning, so tomorrow night would be fine.”

I tried to remain calm.

“You’re sure?” He flashed me a concerned look. Callahan scooped up his bag with his purchase tucked securely inside.

“I’m positive.” I smiled.

“Should I pick you up at seven, then?”

“That sounds perfect. Do you want to meet me here?”

“I can pick you up at your home, if you’d like. Although, being new in town, I might need a map.”

“No maps necessary. I have a few errands to run, so I can meet you here.”

“I’ll be here at seven, then,” he said, showing me his dazzling white smile.

My stomach tingled again. How did he make my body have such magnificent reactions?

“I’m looking forward to it,” he added.

I was giddy. I had to try to contain myself. Breathe.

Mindy would be beside herself when I told her he had asked me out.
Pee-her-pants excited
, she would say.

I inhaled deeply and said, “I’m looking forward to it, too.” I instinctively bit my lip; bad habit I had. In that instance, it was my way of making a weak attempt to flirt. I wondered if it were working.

The sun was still glinting in the window, this time blanketing a magical gold color around the room and across Mr. Yummy’s face, not directly in his eyes now, though. His face sparkled as the dust motes glided effortlessly through the air. As he turned around to leave he pivoted on his heels and then he walked backward for a few steps, waving goodbye all the while.

I must have been dreaming. Dropped down in front of me was a little piece of heaven, and I was grateful. Okay, that was corny, but seriously, I was excited.

Abe chuckled from the corner of the room; once again, I ignored him. The more I ignored him maybe the sooner he would cross over. If I looked his way, it would only encourage him.