Page 79 of With All My Haunted Heart

“I’ll come visit as soon as I can,” I promise, leaning in to kiss her despite our morning breath. “And you should come back to Windsfell, too. I can take you to Bellflower Bistro for a proper date this time.”

Her smile blooms with all the warmth of the rising sun. “I’d like that.”

“Now go.” I push her toward the door. “We have a big day ahead of us.”

Once Elle has slipped out of my room, I shower and dress quickly, pack the rest of my belongings, and drag them downstairs. Xander helps me load my car, and when we’re finished, Elle directs us to the kitchen, where Olli has put together a quick brunch.

The rest of the day passes in a blur. Sloane and Sebastian arrive first, getting settled and providing Elle with welcome gifts to set up for their attendees. In addition to the overnight retreat guests, the manor is hosting several additional dinner guests to celebrate the grand opening.

I end up stationed in the library at the back of the manor. After guests are checked in, Xander sends them my way to meet the ghosts. I give each one a chance to try the ghost goggles, recharging the glasses myself between each use since the foot traffic is higher than the selenite charging plates can handle. The mayor of Oak Spires did ultimately agree to come, as did several of the local business owners. Including Callie, the woman from college who provided all the soap products for the B&B and who does, in fact, remember me.

The work is fun, but when Xander’s parents arrive, a twinge of painful jealousy ripples through me. They both hug me tight and tell me how good it is to see me, but their open pride in their son picks at old wounds. My parents have never felt this way about me, have never talked about me with such fondness, and they never will.

But as Mr. and Mrs. Owens leave the library through the French doors to explore the spacious grounds, I find the sting of old grief doesn’t linger as long as I expect. I don’t think the hurt will ever go away completely, but Xander was right when he said I still have a family. It’s just one that I chose, not one I was born into.

There are people who love me. Who accept and appreciate what I do. Who don’t need me to be anyone or anything other than who I am.

As we near time for dinner, the traffic in the library trickles away to nothing. I leave my post and make my way to the front desk, where Xander is looking dashing in his tailored suit and gleaming Italian loafers, the same ones he propped on my desk all those weeks ago.

“Everyone checked in?” I ask, leaning against the desk.

“All but one.” He bounces the tip of his pen against the guest registry. “Well, two, technically. Mark Duval and a plus-one.”

“Where are Sloane and Sebastian? I haven’t seen either of them in hours.”

“Sloane is upstairs and asked not to be disturbed.” A frown creases his forehead. “Sebastian, meanwhile, checks in constantly to make sure things are going smoothly. Which they are,” Xander adds after a beat.

“Of course they are.” I reach across the desk and squeeze his hand. A gentle reassurance. “You and Elle are the perfect team.”

Xander shakes his head. “We couldn’t have done any of it without you.” Before I can respond, he looks past me and turns up the charm. “Ah, you must be Mark. Is your plus-one arriving separately?”

A white man with broad shoulders, a slight stubble, and a warm smile joins us at the registration desk. “My fiancé is parking the car. He asked me to get us checked in while he grabs the bags.” Mark’s voice holds the dreamy quality of the newly engaged, the deeply in love, and it stirs an echoing feeling in me.

A moment later, Elle walks past with an armful of linens, and my chest fills with a fluttery, delightful warmth at the sight of her. I get it, dude, I agree with Mark silently. Love is great.

“Have we met somewhere before?” Xander asks as he hands over the key to Mark’s room. “Do you work at one of the shops downtown?”

Mark shakes his head. “This is my first time in Oak Spires.”

“Strange,” Xander murmurs. “You look familiar.”

The front door opens again, bringing a gust of cold autumn air, and when I turn to take in the man who has inspired such strong emotions in Mark, I find myself face-to-face with the last person I expected to see at Midnight Manor.

Xander’s ex-fiancé. Barrett.

“There he is,” Mark says warmly before turning back to Xander and me with a conspiratorial glint to his brown eyes. “It’s been such a whirlwind romance. We dated in college ages ago, lost touch for nearly a decade, and then recently bumped into each other at an art exhibit. It’s like the universe gave us a second chance.” He reaches for Barrett, who’s had eyes only for Mark as he strode through the foyer, but now Barrett looks past his new fiancé and finally sees Xander standing behind the desk.

“Alexander?” Barrett’s voice is choked, and he clears his throat decisively. “What are you doing here?”

“What am I—” Xander looks from Barrett to Mark and back again. “I work here.”

“He doesn’t just work here,” I cut in. “Xander is the co-owner of Midnight Manor. He’s also responsible for all the design elements.”

Mark scans the foyer, worry deepening the otherwise barely there lines on his forehead. “The place looks lovely…” He turns to Barrett. “Did you say Alexander? As in your ex-boyfriend, Alexander?”

“Ex-fiancé,” Xander corrects, though there’s no bitterness in his voice. Instead, he sounds like he might be in shock, detached from the reality playing out before him.

“Right. Of course,” Mark says, and damn him, he’s just so nice. “I’m sorry about this. I had no idea the connection when I booked the retreat. I’ve been following Mx. McKinley’s work for years, but I never had anyone willing to come with me before.” He turns those lovesick eyes on Barrett, and fuck, I can feel Xander crumbling on the other side of the desk.