He bit his tongue to keep from telling her she liked her burgers with cheese and ketchup only. It was clear his Juni had left the building. Who was here with him now, and where the hell was Juniper?
“And you, sir?” the waitress asked.
“I’ll have the Philly Cheese Steak with fries, and a cola.”
“I’ll have that right out for you guys,” the waitress said as she turned on her heel and disappeared behind the partition that held the register.
“Where’s Juniper?” he asked.
“Aaah, so you’re going to take the direct approach?” The smirk she wore twisted the face of his loved one beyond recognition.
“Who, or what are you?”
“I think it’d be more fun if you guessed.”
“Then give me a clue.”
“You wound me, Oli…”
The use of his nickname made his hackles rise. This was no random spirit.
“Do I know you?”
“Once.”
“Why are you here?”
“Hmm, now that’s the million dollar question, isn’t it?” She laughed as she shook her head. “Let’s stick with who I am for now.”
He choked back the rude comment that popped into his head. For now he was forced to play under someone else’s rules.
“I’ll give you three questions, Oli. I suggest you take your time and consider each one carefully. It’s been some time since I’ve been inside a living body, and I’m enjoying my time. You picked a pretty one, I’ll give you that.”
“This has nothing to do with looks.”
“No, she’s also as a sweet as pie, and equally damaged. I understand why the two of you work; it just makes me sick to my stomach.”
“You can leave at any time.”
“You’d love that, wouldn’t you?” she asked.
The venom in her words took him back. What had he done to this person? “It took me a while to find my way back here, but now that I have I plan on staying for a long time.”
Could she do that? Completely take over Juni’s body and refuse to leave? Her boldness spoke of cockiness or certainty. He was hoping it was the first option. It’d work to their advantage.
“Why Juni?”
“Because there’s something very special about that lady love of yours. I couldn’t be here if things hadn’t lined up just right, so really I should thank her.”
The words from the psychic echoed in his mind. You have a very special heart. They needed to figure out who she’d received her transplant from.
“Why me?”
“You owe me a debt, and I plan on collecting.”
“I’ve never wronged someone so badly they’d come back from the grave.”
“That’s not a question, and you’re not thinking hard enough.”