“Are you up for going out?” he said.
“Yes, that’s just what I need right now. Felt like the walls were closing in on me today.”
“How about I pick you up at five o’clock? We’ll head out to that hot dog place you love so much.”
“Hot Doggers? You really know the way to a girl’s heart.”
“You know I try.” She imagined him giving a casual shrug.
“Yeah, yeah. See you in a bit?”
“Yes, my love.”
Her stomach turned over, and a silly grin spread across her lips. The little undercover romantic turned her inside out. They disconnected, and she shut down her work, pushing away from the desk. Sweatpants and a T-shirt weren’t the look she was going for on this date. A quick shower later, she pulled on a pair of jeans and a Doctor Who T-shirt. Forgoing makeup she pulled on a pair of black tennis shoes and went to wait in the living room. Sprawled on the couch, she turned on the television and stopped at a rerun of an eighties sitcom.
A knock came at the door. Excited, she jumped to her feet and rushed to the door. She unlocked the door, pulled it open and froze. Goose bumps covered her arms. There was no one there. Her stomach churned. She swept her gaze from the left to the right and saw no one. It’s not possible to move that fast. She gripped the door frame tight. Her knees wobbled. Pierce pulled into the driveway. Still stunned, she turned her head and watched as he stepped from the car. A frown quickly formed, chasing away the mirth that lit his eyes moments ago.
“Demi.” He jogged over and placed his large hands on her shoulders, grounding her. “Are you okay? What’s going on?”
“I heard a knock. I thought it was you, but when I opened the door, there was no one there.”
He scoffed. “Come on, D, this isn’t funny. Didn’t you get enough of the ghost tours?” He released her shoulders and rolled his eyes.
“I’m serious, Pierce.”
“Maybe you only thought you heard a knock.” He glanced over her shoulder. “Or it was on the television.”
“I know the difference.” Anger replaced fear. She folded her hands under her chest and leaned back, balancing on her weight.
“All I’m saying is, you might still be spooked.” He held up his hands, and she scowled.
“Don’t try to pacify me.”
“I’m not. Come on, let’s just get out of the house for a while, take a break, and get some fresh air.”
Faced with the alternative of being in the house alone or out with Pierce, she opted for the lesser of the two evils. “Fine.”
He smiled, wrapping his arm around her shoulders as he led her inside, and turned off the television.
On the road a few minutes later with the wind blowing through her hair and the sun on her face, the strange incidents felt far away. She soaked up the normalcy, allowing it to blur the events in her mind.
They pulled into the parking lot, and Pierce cut the engine, turning to face her. “How are you feeling?”
“Better.”
“Good.” He unbuckled his seat belt, opened the door, and walked around to her side to open her door.
Pressed against his side, tucked under his arm, she shook off the tendrils of fear. They walked up to the silver cylindrical camper with two windows.
“What can I get you, Demi? Sky’s the limit tonight.”
“Smart-ass.” She laughed.
“That’s what I wanted to see.”
Heat filled her cheeks, and she cleared her throat. He had a way of making her feel like the most important person in the world with one phrase or look. “What do you want to eat?”
“The usual.”