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I peeked out from the wings and suddenly he locked eyes with me. My heart fluttered. He had heightened senses, but surely, he couldn’t see me in the shadows with all that light splashed on the stage.
The sexy curve in his lips said he could.
I bit on my lower lip to keep from smiling and moved deeper into the wings. I backed right into Josh.
“Sorry!” I whispered.
He mouthed, “Are you okay?”
I nodded, relieved I wouldn’t have to explain myself. What could I say?I’m crushing on a werewolf, even though I’m not his mate.Nope.
I went back to the prop table for my wand and centered myself again for my final entrance. I didn’t have any lines, just a proud presence to witness Scrooge’s holiday transformation. When I entered with my ghostly compadres, I noticed another ghost, in the shadows.
Ashley’s mother was back.
Good thing I didn’t have any lines because I would’ve missed them. The heat of the spotlight warmed my skin as the bright light stole my vision. I did my best to channel the empathetic Ghost of Christmas Past on my face, but half my attention was on the woman only I could see.
Her voice whispered through my head.Have you found her?
No one would believe I was talking silently with a real spirit during the curtain call, but here I was. I bowed and replied in my mind.
Working on it.I moved to allow our Scrooge to jog to center stage with Tiny Tim up on his shoulder.Why did you bring your baby to Salem?
Goosebumps prickled up my arms as her cool breath brushed my cheek.The high priestess of my coven thought the Coven of Light could protect her when her powers manifested.
The thick velvet curtains came down and the Ghost of Christmas future wrapped me in a tight hug. He had no idea he’d just stepped right through a real ghost.
Is that why you came to me? Did you know my mother?
Her apparition flickered.She was the high priestess.
My jaw dropped. I struggled to keep the shock off my face. I had a million questions. This ghost knew my mother. But before I could put together a complete thought, she was gone again. Damn it.
Daniel, who played the Ghost of Christmas Future, stepped back from me, and lifted his reaper’s hood until it fell back, revealing his face painted black and white. He grinned. “Great show tonight. Are you coming to the pub?”
It took a second for my brain to shift gears from communicating with a real apparition, to my flesh and blood castmate. I shook my head. “Not tonight. I’ve got someone in the audience.”
He arched a brow. “I thought your girlfriends came opening night?”
My coven sisters always came to my shows opening night. I appreciated their support. They were the only family I’d ever known in this world.
“They did.” I forced a smile. “I better go find him.”
“Him?” Daniel asked, but I was already on my way to the lobby.
As I opened the stage door, Jackson turned around, his gaze locking on mine. My heart fluttered before I could remind myself the big guy had a mate out there somewhere and it wasn’t me. That realization threw cold water on the heat he’d kindled in my bloodstream.
The stage crew had done an amazing job decorating the lobby like the inside of Fezziwig’s Christmas party, complete with a ten-foot Christmas tree, candles in the windows, and small balls of mistletoe hanging from a few of the ornate chandeliers. Jackson was wearing a red sweater that hugged his toned torso. His black wool coat was draped over his arm, and in his other hand, he clutched a bouquet of red and purple roses.
He smiled and the clusters of people in the lobby parted as he walked through toward me. Offering me the flowers, he shook his head. “You were amazing up there tonight.”
I took the bouquet and brought the blooms to my nose. Between the intoxicating fragrance of the flowers and the realization that he’d given them to me, my knees went rubbery. I smiled up at him. “They’re beautiful. Thank you.” I studied them again. “This is the first time anyone’s ever given me flowers after a show.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Nope.” I met his eyes again. “I love them.”
“Can I take you out for a drink or something?”
