Chapter 25

Hennessee House’s welcome home for Lucky was…lackluster.

Xander got a river of flowers. She got three in her bathtub. Hardly comparable, and very nearly insulting. She ended up spending her first night back in her suite bonding with Gengar while Hennessee had what could only be described as a temper tantrum. And Lucky simply didn’t respond to those.

Maverick, however, didn’t let her down, and promptly called at sunrise.

“Good morning. I’m fine.” Predictability had never been so attractive.

“You fell asleep on me last night,” he said. “I stayed on for a while but—”

“Were you listening to me sleep?”

“I was listening for signs of distress, and I happened to hear you sleep. You were mostly quiet.”

“Mostly?”

“That’s why I didn’t hang up right away. I wasn’t sure.”

“Did I talk?”

“No, you mumbled a little bit. And I think you snored.”

“You’re unsure about that?”

“You didn’t sound like a chainsaw or anything. They were…quiet, like you were congested and trying to avoid breathing out of your mouth.”

She laughed. “Nobody likes a mouth breather.”

“I’d argue that’s subjective,” he said. “I have to go. Rebel is already up.”

“Okay. See you later?”

“Absolutely.”

Gengar yowled, openly judging her from the window.

“Hmm.” She propped herself up on one arm. “I can’t tell if you’re mad because I haven’t fed you yet or because you disapprove of my choices. Why do I have the sudden urge to shout But Daddy, you don’t even know him! at you?”

Her answer came in the form of one dramatically slow blink. Gengar jumped down, swished to the door, and waited.

“Fine. I’ll get up. Just so bossy,” she said. “What should we do today? Ooh, we could use the drone?”

The cat could not have cared less.

After breakfast, he followed her anyway, back upstairs to the bedroom across from hers.

Lucky had found the gift in the office next to her company-issued laptop. Wrapped in lovely green paper with a bright blue ribbon, it had a card attached.

Try your best not to break it. You seem the overzealous type.

—Xander

Unfortunately, she’d have to make him pay for that.

The drone was heavier than expected. Bigger than her hand, it had four propellers, flood lights, and built-in storage for recording. The controls had a monitor—figuring out how to use it reminded her of playing an intuitive video game. She mastered it in under five minutes.

Crawl space exposed, she sat with her back against the wall as she navigated the drone inside and forward.

Lucky frowned as she heard the window opening behind her. The summer air displaced the house’s constant near-perfect temperature. “Not now.” She said it as if swatting a fly.

The drone whirred insistently under the floorboards and echoed around the metal passage. At what she suspected was the room’s threshold, the passageway made a sharp left. After a few more feet, she could turn either left, right, or continue forward. Choosing left, she maneuvered through the passageway until reaching a dead end in front of a small grate.

The passageways led to the rooms. If one could fit, they allowed someone to spy on other occupants.

A triumphant chill shivered through Lucky despite the heat. She’d uncovered another one of Hennessee’s secrets. But why did it show her this? There was no one else in the house.

“Great. Fantastic. Another wild goose chase and for what?” She navigated the drone back to her.

All this discovery did was waste more of Lucky’s time, which was running out.

Her experience at Penny Place solidified that her work hadn’t been pointless. Whether or not they knew it, people were powerful—as individuals and as a collective. Their place within the supernatural realm existed. There were more ESPers, more urban legends brought to life in the world waiting to be found. She’d thought Hennessee House might have a place within her work too, but if she couldn’t find a connection or what caused its sentience, she’d be a failure.

Failures and grad school rejects didn’t get funding for their research.

Since writing her name didn’t work, she’d have to try something more drastic.

Lucky decided to film her daily self-tape outside in the gazebo. Surrounded by partially cloudy skies, the perfect amount of warm summer breeze, birds chirping and bathing in the small fountain, and the faint sounds of the neighborhood, she’d never felt more content on a lazy morning.

Rebel had taught her quite a bit about framing and drilled into her how important it was to look at the lens and not watch herself on the screen while talking. Pretending to tell a story to a friend made the best videos apparently.

Contractual obligations expected her to make these videos good, so she put Rebel’s excellent advice to work.

“I can definitively say, without a doubt, that last night was the most disappointing I’ve had in the house so far. I know what you’re thinking—but Lucky you heard creaking floorboards and footsteps, banging on the walls, wind screeching in the hallway, doors rattling, windows slamming, literally everything all at once, supernatural activity running rampant throughout the house. And to that I say, it was…boring. Hennessee House is supposed to be exceptional—talk about a waste of potential. It’s giving nothing but stereotypical haunted house tripe.

“Granted, maybe if that happened during my first couple of nights, I would’ve been excited, but this is my third week. I resisted Hennessee’s formidable compulsion for so long before giving in and writing my name on the wall because I wanted to prove myself. I wanted to show I was strong enough to be here. I haven’t seen even a single confirmed illusion or specter. Either I’m preternaturally strong-willed, which is very likely, or my predecessors had it worse than I did. Because so far, I haven’t experienced anything capable of sending me screaming into the night.

“I know they say you’re supposed to be careful what you wish for. I know there’s power in that. But I’m wishing for it anyway. Otherwise, what’s the point in me being here?”

Satisfied with her performance, she cut off the camera and turned to Gengar. “How was that?”

He blinked at her, almost asleep. She’d given him some special snackies to sedate him for his vet trip.

“Remember, once means yes. That means you agree with my choices.”

“Lucky?”

She whirled around at the sound of her name. Maverick was walking toward her from the side of the house. Every time she saw him still felt as remarkable as the first. She stood to meet him on the steps. “How did you know I was back here?” The sounding breathless part could go any day now, though.

“The house. I was about to ring the doorbell when I smelled flowers.” He sighed with resignation. “It’s your perfume. That’s what it uses for me.”

His specialized scent was…her? “Hennessee didn’t lead you around before I got here?”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “What do you think?”

“Oh.” She began to melt as she mentally connected the dots. The house noticed everything. It must not have needed to have access to someone’s mind to create a scent if that someone unintentionally gave it enough information to work with. Hennessee had Maverick’s number too—probably from the very moment he met Lucky.

He handed her a coffee and a single-stem flower. “Cinnamon latte with foam and cinnamon sugar. Pink peony because of your name.”

Her favorite drink, which she’d told him, and she honestly didn’t have a favorite flower. But eventually, hopefully, she would. Not that one, though. “Thank you. Where’s Rebel?”

“Afraid you were no match for going to the movies with Riley and his mom.”

She gasped. “The betrayal.”

“The first time she chose hanging out with Riley over me I was so hurt.” He laughed as he reached for her waist. “It’s a good thing.”

“Mmm, is that what you keep telling yourself?” She draped her arms around his shoulders, following his lead as he pressed her against the gazebo post.

“Every time.”

He was still smiling as he kissed her.

Was kissing supposed to make her feel so…giddy? It’d never happened before.

They’d been pleasant enough, fine as long as they weren’t too wet, but she never got excited about them. Didn’t eagerly look forward to them either.

Kissing Maverick was…she didn’t even know.

“We’re gonna be late,” he whispered in between kisses at her jaw.

He was always the one to stop first. He had more control or didn’t feel as intensely as she did. Both were possible.

Gengar had fallen asleep peacefully on the bench next to where she’d sat. “It’s me,” she crooned. She rubbed between his ears—the one place he tolerated being touched. “We’re going to your appointment now. We have to make sure your little body is doing okay and get you groomed. I’m going to pick you up now.”

Maverick grabbed the open-top cat carrier from its hiding place. He also put on thick gloves, up to his elbows, in case Gengar woke up and lashed out.

Lucky carefully curled her hands under him.

He growled softly but remained asleep.

“I got you. Don’t worry. I’m gonna take good care of you.”

He growled louder but it cut off, suddenly transforming into a rumbling purr. She held him loosely against her chest and five seconds later, he was nestled into the soft blanket fort inside the carrier.

Maverick said, “That wasn’t so bad.”

“If you see me crying in the car, mind your business,” she said. “Did you hear him purring?”

“You are my business.” He kissed her forehead. “I told you he loves you.”

The vet appointment would take at least an hour, longer if they needed to sedate him again. Before they left, the doctor checked for a microchip, but Gengar didn’t have one. Lucky signed up immediately, listing herself and Xander as the owners and Hennessee House as his address.

Maverick frowned. “Did you ask him about that first?”

“Sure didn’t.” She grinned. “I hope it annoys the hell out of him.”

“What is it with you two?”

“It’s like we bring out the petty in each other. He makes me want to fight him but in a good way.”

Was it because he was a skeleton?…Maybe.

Yes. What else was she supposed to do? He needed love. She’d taken a page from Georgia’s book, deciding to become the annoying younger sister to her adored eldest.

Maverick treated Lucky to lunch and they headed to a nearby park to wait for Gengar. They sat under a vacant tree with a blanket he had in his emergency car kit. She hadn’t spent much time outside the house, but she knew a little something about the area. He lived about an hour north in the city while Hennessee House was in a small incorporated town, both in Sacramento County.

It seemed like a nice place to live full-time. Swans in the pond. Ducks waddling the paths. Kids riding bikes and parents with jogging strollers. Plenty of supernatural activity to investigate. Everything a girl could want.

“Do you have plans after this?” She lay on her stomach, propped up on her elbows.

He was on his back, looking up at her. “Not until Rebel is ready to come home for dinner. You’re welcome to join us.”

“I don’t think I can. Can I?”

“It’s technically not my show, but probably not.”

Lucky wasn’t under house arrest, but they were paying her to be there. Especially at night. “You two can come to Hennessee,” she said hopefully.

“Not after dark. No.”

“I understand. But for the record”—she paused to grin at him—“literally nothing bad happens. You’ll both be safe.”

“You don’t know that.” He still wasn’t willing to risk it under any circumstances barring extreme emergencies.

Lucky frowned, unable to hide her frustration. She wanted to spend time with him any way she could, but how were they supposed to make this work? She couldn’t go to his apartment. He wouldn’t stay in Hennessee House. “I’m starting to think the other caretakers were exaggerating.”

“They weren’t. You’re an exception for some reason. The house just likes you.” He rolled over onto his side, gently tugging her closer to him. “I can see how that could happen. I almost feel sorry for it.”

“I accept that compliment.” She smiled and kissed him…and then didn’t stop.

“There are children in this park. Behave,” he teased.

“I can’t. It’s like I’m possessed.”

“Bad choice of words. Please don’t say that.”

“Sorry.” She kissed his jaw then bit it gently.

“Are you a biter?”

“I might be,” she admitted. “Is that bad?”

“No.” He snorted. “It’s just a little surprising.”

“Why?” she asked, trying not to sound nervous.

“Just is.” He answered a little too fast, gaze darting away. “You asked for slow. I’m honestly okay with that.”

Maybe she’d been unconsciously trying to match the energy she sensed in him. She didn’t feel like she was performing or doing what she assumed was expected of her. She honestly wanted to kiss him. And touch him. And be close to him. For hours at a time, if possible. Maybe it felt so intense because it was new, and they spent so much time apart. She needed to cram as much affection in as possible to hold her over until she saw him again.

He continued, “Although, if you’re up for it, I’d like you to meet my family.”

“Oh,” she squeaked in surprise. “Family. Oh.”

“We’re having a little get-together this weekend at my parents’ house. I thought it’d be nice if you came. Or is that too fast?”

“It isn’t,” she said, eager to soothe the worried look in his eyes. They hadn’t talked about what he said at Penny Place. She didn’t want him thinking that she didn’t want them, not even for a single second. “It’s just…it’s parents. I wouldn’t want to impose or whatever.”

He laughed. “Lucky, they know who you are. My mom would love to meet you.”

She softened. “You told them about me?”

“Yeah. And if I didn’t, Rebel would have. Or Georgia.”

Georgia knew his family. Oh. That must’ve been what people did when they had a family to share. A family who didn’t hate them.

“Where do they live?” she asked.

“About twenty minutes away from me.”

She nodded. “How many siblings do you have? You never said.”

“Five. I’m dead-center middle child.”

“I love that for you.”

“It was hell.” He laughed. “My family is of the matching pajamas on Christmas day variety and really traditional. The eldest are responsible for the rest of us and should set a good example. The youngest get away with murder and are spoiled rotten. And then there was me, flying under the radar no matter what I did until Rebecca got pregnant. They cared about that.”

Lucky knew how old Maverick was when Rebel was born—nineteen—and how long he’d had full custody—since she was two—but not what happened to Rebecca or where she was. He never really talked about her. Neither did Rebel.

He continued by asking, “Do you have any?”

“Siblings? Yeah. An older brother.”

“Where does—”

“I don’t really want to talk about my family.” She kissed him. “What time is the party?”

“Two to whenever.”

“Daylight. Perfect. Xander won’t get upset if I’m back at the house before dark. I think. I’m willing to test it,” she said, gaze downcast. “I want to go. It really means a lot to me that you told your family about me.”

“Of course, I did.” He kissed her cheek and then the corner of her mouth. “There are some downsides. I tell them I have a girlfriend, and literally no one will stop bringing up how miraculous that is, but that’s family for you.”

Lucky’s heart stopped and sputtered back to life. She narrowed her eyes, determined to suppress the euphoria suddenly racing through her entire body. “Girlfriend? I’m your girlfriend now?”

“Yes?” Maverick’s adorably nervous reaction almost made her laugh and break character.

“And who decided that?”

“I figured it was implied.”

She thought the same but really, really wanted to have this moment. “I would like to be asked, please.”

He moved to sit up and she followed his lead until they sat facing each other. Knees touching, holding hands and gazes, under the shade of a tree in the middle of a beatific park on a perfect summer day.

“Lucky.”

“Maverick.”

“I didn’t realize I’d been looking for someone until you found me,” he said. “That’s exactly how it felt—I saw your picture and I thought Oh, shit, there she is. She’s coming whether I’m ready or not and I wasn’t. I was not at all prepared for how quickly you turned my entire existence upside down. You have no idea how desperate I am to stay with you, to keep seeing where this goes. Be with me.”

“That didn’t sound like a question,” she teased. Meanwhile, the words be with me echoed around her memory palace until it found his reading and settled in next to it. Forever.

“Because I’m not questioning it. That’s where I stand. I’m asking: Where are you?”

It took every single ounce of self-restraint she had to not crawl into his lap, wrap her body around his, and cover his face with an endless barrage of kisses. He’d given her so much more than what she’d hoped for.

“I’m standing right next to you,” she said, meaning it. “Because I’m yours.”