The key. The key. The key.
Three knocks rattled the wall. I flinched so hard my tablet jumped. A whimper caught in my throat as I slapped both handsover my mouth.
The knocks came again. Every hair on my arms stood at attention. I swung my legs out of bed, the candelabra trembling in my hands.
Okay, fine. Minding my own business hadn't worked. If the ghost wanted a meet-cute, I’d give him one—then run screaming to the next hotel in town. Preferably one with a hot tub.
The knob turned easily beneath my fingers, the hinges joining the creaks from the other room. I crept toward the closed door of Room 12, my heart racing so fast I felt dizzy.
This was it. This was how I died. I always thought I’d be old and gray, holding hands with my soulmate as we watched the sunset. But no. My time would come while wearing a candy-cane sleep shirt and fuzzy slippers, holding a candle so the ghost could admire my terrified expression.
The door to Room 12 creaked open, eerie light spilling into the hallway.
My heart stopped.
And then a very human, very smug voice cut through the stillness.
“Hey, Spells. Come for a nightcap?”
Chapter 14
Valerie
“You’re the ghost?” Ihissed.
Grant leaned in the doorway, all six feet of overbearing charm, a mug in one hand and a slanted grin that made my still-racing heart trip like it got tangled in a string of lights.
“Am I?” His expression morphed into mock horror. “Is this one of those sneaky,don’t-spoil-the-endingmovies?“ He leaned in, elbow still braced against the casing. “Have I been dead the whole time?”
I shoved him in the chest. “You're a menace.”
Laughter broke through his act as he lifted his mug to keep it from spilling.
“Careful, this is my favorite sweater. If I’m wearing it in the afterlife, I don’t want coffee stains.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Investigating.” His eyes did a slow, lazy sweep of my candy-cane nightshirt before returning to my face. “Festive, Spells.”
I yanked the hem lower, cheeks blazing. “No. This is my case. You’re the boss.You’re not even—”
The rest of my words caught in my throat. He knew. My stomach twisted, a hollow ache spreading through me as reality sank in. He hadn't come for me. He was here forthe key.
I was here for the same thing, so why did that sting so much? Because it meant he didn't trust me to handle this case, and it confirmed he wanted out, too. So much that he'd dropped everything, booked a last-minute stay in a haunted house, and traded holiday parties for nightmares.
I crossed my arms, willing my voice steady. “You don’t believe I can win the key, do you?”
An unreadable look flickered across his face. “This case should’ve been locked up. There never should’ve been a key.”
“But there is.” My voice sharpened. “What, too much paperwork if I get hurt? You thought you’d babysit the sad Sunbelter?” I held up my hand. “I know what it is. You just want the credit for ending our marriage first.”
“Marriage?” He stepped closer, lowering his voice until it scraped dangerously low. “Is that what we’ve been doing? Could’ve fooled me.”
Heat sparked between us, crackling like static. That familiar pull roared to life; the one I hadn’t felt in a year. The rush hit hard, like surfacing after holding my breath too long.
And that was the problem. The key would snuff that spark out for good, and maybe that was for the best. Because whatever this was, it felt like something that could slip past my defenses if I wasn't careful.
“Stay out of my way, Delaney. HR made us partners on that island, but not here.”
