Starfire (Grim Gate 2)

“It was. I never thought I’d like broccoli or eggplant that much.” Ethan wraps his arm around my shoulders. We’re walking down the sidewalk toward our car, and I’m surprised to see so many people out and about with it being so cold. That’s the Midwest for you, though. Put on an extra layer and deal, right?

“Eggplant parmesan is one of my favorites.”

“I’ll have to try making it for us some night.”

“I’d like that.” I lean against him, heart happy. “Do you care if we stop at the café next to the library?”

“Not at all. Is that the place that has the donuts I like?”

“Yep. That’s what I was going to get, and a coffee cake if they have any left.”

“Do you want to drive there? It’s cold.”

“It’s not far. I’m good if you’re good. It’s cold, but this still feels a lot better than when I get up in the morning to go feed the horses and donkeys.”

“True.” He chuckles. “The fact you go out in pajama pants most of the time doesn’t help.”

“They’re comfy at least. And I know how much you love the look of pajama pants shoved into my tall rubber muck boots.”

“Oh, that does turn me on,” he says without skipping a beat. “The insulated overalls really do it for me.”

We both laugh, coming to a stop at a street corner. We only have one more block to go before we get to the café. Technically, we live in Thorne Hill but our house is on the border between the two towns. There are more restaurants and stores in Paradise Valley, but I prefer Thorne Hill. It has that small-town charm you’d see in a movie, and there’s just something about it that feels welcoming.

The café is surprisingly busy for a weekday night. Maybe a group of students from the local university are here studying or something. I definitely hung out in coffee shops when I was in college.

“Hi,” a girl with pink and purple hair says when we’re almost to the counter. “Are you here for the ghost hunt?”

“Ghost hunt?” I echo as Ethan lets out a snort of laughter.

The girl smiles, nodding enthusiastically. “The Midwest Ghost Trackers are hosting a hunt at the library. We actually have a few open spots left if you want to join. We’re heading over in about fifteen minutes. It’s twenty bucks per person and they’re even providing us with equipment to use if you dare.” Her smile broadens, obviously excited to go look for ghosts. I really appreciate how mainstream ghost hunting has become, though I can’t stand to watch those shows where loud men go into old buildings and tell spirits to give them a sign.

Ethan looks at me, amusement sparkling in his whiskey-colored eyes. “We should do it. The paranormal fascinates us both.”

“Yeah,” I say with a nod. “It does.”

“I’ll go if you want to go,” Ethan offers and it takes work to keep a straight face. I know exactly what he’s thinking. If there are any ghosts in the library, I’ll be the only one who can actually communicate with them.

“It sounds fun.”

“Great!” The girl smiles again. “I’m Anissa and I just need to get your info and you’ll be all set. Most of the people going on the hunt are here, so you’re welcome to hang out until it’s time to walk over. I just need your names and then payment. You can pay online or in cash if you have it on you. I never have cash on me.”

I give her our info and Ethan pulls out his wallet and pays her the forty dollars. We typically split stuff as evenly as we can. We moved in together after dating only a short time, but circumstances pushed us closer together. The house is mine yet, since we moved in at the same time, it really feels like ours. I’m currently living off my inheritance and Ethan still goes out on hunts for the Order, getting paid that way. We’ve been “letting things settle” and Ethan has brought up getting a job in either Thorne Hill or Paradise Valley.

We’re next in line to order pastries, and we both get coffee since we’ll be sitting around for a bit. There’s only one free table in the back of the café, and it’s crammed up next to another table. Ethan and I sit down, and I give him a look.

“Be nice when we get there.”

“I wouldn’t be anything but,” he says seriously, and I laugh. “Really, though, it can be dangerous to go sniffing around at something haunted. My dad and I have been sent on rescue missions to retrieve amateur ghost hunters from things that aren’t ghosts.” He takes a drink of his coffee.

“You mean demons.”

“Yep. There are some things you should leave to the professionals.” He makes a face. “Which I know is hard when most of the world doesn’t know there are professionals.”