Double Dating with the Dead by Karen Kelley (best fiction novels to read .txt) 📗

Her dull, lackluster life didn’t seem quite so boring anymore. Not that she was prepared to lose their bet or anything. She wasn’t going to fall under his spell to the point of tucking her tail between her legs and slinking away.

Nope, she was certain she’d be able to change his mind about ghosts, and she had two weeks to do it. She frowned. At least she hoped she would be able to convince him. She rather liked her career.

There was more to it than just her livelihood. She liked helping people. Losing people you loved was always hard, but knowing they were watching over you sometimes made it easier to handle.

“What’cha lookin’ at?” Paige asked as she came up beside her.

“Damn it, Paige! You scared the hell out of me.” She glared at her cousin, who only raised a sardonic eyebrow.

“I scared you? The woman who talks to dead people?” She leaned forward and peered out the window. “Something must’ve really captured your attention…. Oh ho, nice view.”

Selena straightened, spraying glass cleaner on the panes. “I was not staring at Trent if that’s what you’re implying.” She furiously wiped the panes clean.

“You weren’t?”

Her lips trembled, then curved upward. “Of course I was staring at him. Good Lord, he’s delicious.”

“Too bad he’s an ass.”

Selena gave up the pretense that she was cleaning the window and stared down at him.

“I could almost forget what he said about me,” she murmured.

“You can’t, though. Remember, he made all psychics look ridiculous. Sales in my store are down. It’s like everyone is waiting to see what happens over the next two weeks.”

Paige owned a small store in town that sold amulets and books on psychic phenomena, incense and an array of beaded scarves that she designed herself.

She did tarot card readings and occasionally would cast a spell if the need were great. Only good spells, though…well, most of the time.

In the back of her store was a small tearoom where she served specialty teas and finger sandwiches. The ambience couldn’t be matched.

“Would you like me to cast a spell on him?” Paige asked.

“Not yet, but hold that thought. I might need one later on.”

“You’re right about one thing,” Paige said.

“What?” Selena pulled her gaze away from the window.

“He’s definitely delicious. His brother isn’t bad, either. But remember, if no ghosts show themselves, it won’t be your fault. You still have a decent following.”

Selena nibbled her bottom lip. “There’s more to it than that.”

“As in?”

“We made a…uh, a sort of wager on the side.”

“Wager? What kind of wager?”

Selena picked up the roll of paper towels and tore one off. “It was nothing really. It’s not like I’ll lose.” She began to wipe the grime off the glass.

“But in case you do, what exactly will you lose?”

“I’m not going to lose,” she scoffed, then let her gaze slowly move around the room. “I mean, I can feel a presence here.”

Paige glared at her, clearly frustrated. “What kind of wager, Selena?”

“Okay, okay. One night in his bed.” She looked away when Paige’s eyes grew as round as saucers.

“That wasn’t good.”

Selena paused, glancing out the window. “Well, it all depends on how you look at it. Losing wouldn’t be good. I hate losing. But I have a feeling one night in his bed would be glorious.”

“Better not tell Auntie Angela. I don’t think your mother would agree with you.”

“Tell Mom? Not on your life.” She shuddered at the thought. Her mother probably thought she was still a virgin. Uh-huh, sure. The only twenty-eight-year-old virgin in Texas.

Not that she was going to tell her any different. Selena was quite content to let her mother live in her little fantasy world where she thought her daughter was still pure.

Selena swiped at the last pane and tossed the used paper towel into the trash can she’d unearthed.

“Help me drag the mattress downstairs. It doesn’t look too bad, but it needs to air.” Selena grabbed one end while Paige grappled with the other. The mattress fit a full-sized bed. It wasn’t that heavy, but definitely bulky.

A cloud of dust poofed up in front of Paige’s face. She coughed and waved it away. “I wouldn’t want to stay here for two weeks. Besides all this dust, how do you even know the ghosts are friendly?” Paige grunted as she lifted her end.

“I don’t, although I haven’t sensed any bad vibes. I’ll know more when I get a chance to meditate.”

“I like what you’ve done with the room, by the way,” Paige said, switching gears. “It’s simple.” She chuckled. “Precaveman.”

“I’m not laughing.”

The room was sparse. Hardwood floors, a scarred dresser and a cheap painting on the wall.

A few hooked rugs scattered about and a couple of her mother’s crocheted doilies would do wonders to warm the room up.

She squared her shoulders. It was only for a couple of weeks. But she sort of felt sorry for the place and for some reason didn’t want Paige talking bad about it. “I kind of like the hotel. It has a wonderful, rich history. Can’t you just imagine what it was like a hundred years ago?”

“You’ve always been fascinated with history. Antiques, old buildings…dead people. While you’re wallowing in the past you’d better not forget that Trent is a living, breathing human being or you might find yourself in a position you don’t want to be in. Like on your back.” She chuckled.

“You’re hilarious.” She grabbed her end of the mattress and started out the door. “That’s the problem with this family. Everyone wants to be a comedian.”

Of course she wouldn’t fall prey to Trent Sanders. Not after what he’d said. And she didn’t plan on losing their bet. She’d make a believer out of him before the two weeks were up.

But in the meantime, it didn’t hurt to look.

Trent glanced up when he heard a thump. Selena and Paige were lugging a cumbersome mattress down the staircase with Selena in the lead. The way they dragged and pushed at the