Love & Omens

by Carrie Pulkinen

  “Hey, Claire.” Sydney stepped behind him and pushed the door open the rest of the way. “We’ve been discussing plans for the new tour. Just going over some technical stuff before the investigation.”

  Claire glanced from Sydney to Blake. “Well, there’s plenty here for three. Let’s eat, and you can fill me in on the plans.”

  Angling her shoulders sideways, Claire slid between them, brushing against Blake and glaring at him as she passed. Her knee-high boots thudded on the concrete, and she glanced over her shoulder, making her way through the door into the back of the museum.

  Blake sighed and gave Sydney an apologetic look. “I’ll have a talk with her.”

  “It’s okay.” She pulled the door shut and turned the lock. “We probably should discuss the tour. That is why I came early.” Sydney stayed two steps in front of him as he followed her into the back.

  Claire strode into Sydney’s office and set the cups on the desk. “I see you’ve decided what this room will be used for.” She dropped the bag of food next to the drinks and clasped her hands behind her back as she strolled toward the art on the wall.

  Leaning closer, she crinkled her nose. “That’s cute. A little juvenile, but cute. Where’d you get it?” she asked Sydney.

  “Blake bought that at a shop on Royal.” Sydney smiled at Claire and rested a hand on his lower back. “It was my favorite story growing up, and he thought it would help make the transition easier.”

  Claire put her hands on her hips, shifting her weight to one side. “He’s always thoughtful like that, isn’t he?”

  Sydney cocked her head. “He sure is.”

  Blake shifted his gaze from his cousin to Sydney. Was this some kind of territorial battle waging between them? Claire had no need for her own office, but the tension in the room grew so thick he could’ve sliced through it like a stick of butter.

  Claire stared at Sydney as if she were sizing her up for a fight. Sydney simply smiled, returning Claire’s gaze with a confidence that said she wasn’t one to be messed with. Hell, Blake had seen her throw a punch. His money was on Sydney.

  What he would have given to have Eric’s ability right now so he could figure out exactly what was going on here.

  Claire had probably gotten used to being his only employee. It was possible she felt threatened with the new team coming in. He’d have to have a heart-to-heart with her later, reassure her she had a place in the new setup.

  “Is everyone getting their own office?” She sank into the chair across from the desk. “Sit. Let’s eat.” She shuddered, rubbing the back of her neck as she glanced over her shoulder and toward the ceiling. “It’s drafty in here.”

  Sydney looked at him, and he motioned for her to take the big chair. “Just Sean, me, and Sydney for now. If anyone else needs some space later, we’ll reevaluate.”

  He scooted his chair around the corner, closer to Sydney. Siding with her. If his cousin and his maybe-soon-to-be girlfriend were marking their territory, he wanted to be clear where he stood.

  “What’s this?” Claire opened the pastry bag Sydney had brought and rolled her eyes. “Beignets for dinner, Blake?” She looked at Sydney. “I don’t know how he survives without a woman in his life. He’d starve if it weren’t for me.”

  “I’m sure he’d survive.” Sydney took a beignet from the bag and bit into it, her gaze never straying from Claire’s face.

  Claire blinked a few times before lowering her gaze to the desk. Her posture softened, her demeanor shifting in an instant. “You’re right. I guess I get protective after everything that’s happened. When you lose someone you’re close to, you…” She shook her head. “Anyway, do you like boudin balls? I know they’re not the healthiest thing to eat, but I can’t get enough of them.”

  “I love them. Thanks for sharing.” Sydney smiled and took the Styrofoam container Claire passed to her as if accepting an olive branch.

  And just like that, the battle for dominance ended. Sydney had stood her ground and held her own like she always did, and the grip she had on his heart strengthened.

  He stood. “I’ve got some paper plates in the kitchen. Let me grab them.”

  “If I’d known you had company, I would’ve brought an extra soda.” Claire continued unpacking the food.

  “That’s okay,” Sydney said. “If you have a bottle of water, I’ll be fine. I’ve had enough caffeine to last me a week.”

  He rushed to the kitchen for the plates. The faster they could eat, the faster he could send his cousin on her way and finish his conversation with Sydney, find out if she was open to rekindling an old flame that had never burned out completely.

  If she wasn’t, he’d ball up his emotions, shove them into the corner of his heart where they’d been hiding out the past eight years, and get on with his life. Hell, that would probably be best for both of them, but if she was interested…

  He closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against a cabinet door. If she felt even half of the fire burning in his heart, he’d crush his rule about not dating coworkers. He shouldn’t. His logical mind knew he’d be setting himself up for multiple possibilities of disaster, but his heart was screaming, “This is Sydney.”

  When he returned to the office, he found Sydney and Claire chatting like their earlier stand-off had never happened.

  “I mean, he’s cute, but he’s so immature.” Claire sipped her soda and swished it around her mouth. “What is it with college guys acting like they’ve always got something to prove?”

  Sydney smiled at Blake as he sank into a chair. “They aren’t all like that.” She held his gaze a beat longer than necessary, making her statement feel personal. Pinching a piece of breading off the boudin ball, she popped it into her mouth and focused on Claire. “Not that I have any business giving relationship advice. I’m twenty-seven, and I’ve never dated anyone longer than four months.”

  He caught her gaze again, and his chest tightened. “Neither have I.”

  A look of surprise flashed in her eyes. “So, our…?”

  “Yeah.” He’d dated plenty of women since Sydney, but he’d never connected to anyone on the same level. The longest relationship he’d been in since college had lasted a month, and that was because his girlfriend had gone out of town the last week and a half of it. He’d ended it as soon she returned.

  “Well, aren’t you guys great role models, then?” Claire teased. “Maybe I should give Austin a chance, so I don’t end up like either of you.”

  Blake chuckled. “If he’s a decent guy, I say go for it.”

  “And if he’s not decent, don’t be afraid to kick him where it counts.” Sydney grinned, and Blake couldn’t help but laugh.

  “You can definitely take her advice on that. She’s got a mean right hook.” He angled toward Sydney, and his knee brushed against hers.

  She glanced at him and picked up another piece of boudin, popping it into her mouth as she slid her foot toward his beneath the desk until their legs touched from ankle to knee.

  His heart thrummed at the innocent intimacy, and for a moment, he felt young again, like a teen hiding his display of affection from the adults in the room. Energy buzzed between them, and he fought the urge to slip his hand beneath the desk to hold hers.

  He took a bite of the boudin, closing his eyes as the flavors of the spicy, savory sausage danced on his tongue. “The guys will be here soon. You better head back to the dorm, Claire.”

  She cut her gaze between them, wariness crossing her expression before she composed herself. “Do you need somewhere to stay during the investigation? I’m sure I can sneak you in. My roommate won’t mind. She thinks you’re hot.”

  “I’m good. Thanks.” The last thing he needed was a nineteen-year-old fawning over him. He stuffed the trash into the paper bag and rose to his feet.

  Claire stood and grabbed the bag. “Where are you going while they investigate? Have a hot date?”

  Something like that. “I’m staying here. They thought I could
help since they’re short one medium.”

  “Oh.” Claire stepped toward the door but paused. “I could—”

  “You know what?” Sydney rose and walked her toward the front of the building. “I’m leading a tour at six tomorrow. Why don’t you come along and get a feel for how we work? Then we can talk about any ideas you might have for the new one. It would be a big help to have your opinion since you’ve done so much research on the places we’ll be visiting.”

  Claire’s face brightened. “Yeah, okay. I can do that.”

  “Great. Meet me at the St. Louis Cathedral around five forty-five.” Damn, Sydney was good with his cousin. She had a way with people, holding her ground while keeping everyone happy at the same time. He could learn a lot from a woman like Sydney Park.

  “I will.” Claire stepped out the door and hesitated. “Hey, Blake? Can I talk to you for a minute?”

  He ran a hand down his face. “Excuse me for a second, Syd.”

  “No problem.” Sydney moved deeper into the museum while Blake stepped onto the sidewalk with Claire.

  Her smile hardened into a firm line. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  “What do you mean?”

  She tossed the bag into a trash can and fisted her hands on her hips. “I mean, why are you flirting with Sydney? I swear to God, Blake, if you screw up your career over a woman again…” She crossed her arms and shook her head. “Didn’t you learn your lesson in New York?”

  He stiffened. “First of all, my personal life is none of your business. What happened in New York was none of your business, and it still wouldn’t be if you hadn’t eavesdropped on my conversations with your dad.”

  “Step-dad.”

  He held up a hand. “Second, this situation is completely different. Sydney and I have history. It won’t be like that.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Because I know Sydney.”

  “And what happens when you two break up? She’s part of the package with the ghost tour company. You said yourself your partner wouldn’t agree to anything unless his whole team was on board. What if she decides she’s not on board anymore? Then what?”

  He put a hand on her shoulder. “Claire, I appreciate your concern.”

  She covered his hand with hers. “Someone’s got to look out for you.”

  “I’m supposed to be the one looking out for you, remember? I’m a grown man, and I can make my own decisions. Things are just starting to warm up between us anyway. It may not even go anywhere.” God, he hoped it went somewhere.

  She nodded. “Just be careful. You’ve invested a lot of time and money into this, and I’d hate to see you lose it all over a woman. I mean, Sydney’s cool. I like her, but you never know what might happen.”

  “I hear you.” It was sage advice, and he should’ve listened to her. But the pounding of his heart every time he was near Sydney drowned out any logical thoughts his brain tried to throw at him. Was he making a mistake? Possibly. Would it be worth it? Only time would tell.

  He tugged from her grasp. “I’ll be careful, okay?”

  “Okay.” She smiled. “I’m jealous you get to do this investigation without me.”

  “I’ll make sure you’re included next time. Good night, Claire.”

  “Bye.”

  He returned inside to find Sydney sitting on a table, her ankles crossed, legs swinging as she swiped her phone screen. She looked up at him and set her phone down. “Everything okay?”

  “Yeah.” He raked a hand through his hair and moved toward her, stopping a few inches in front of the table. “I’m sorry about…her. She has these mood swings, and—”

  “No need to apologize.” She slid off the table to face him, closing the distance between them. “She’s young and still feeling her way around. It’s especially hard to find a place in an already established, tight-knit group like ours.”

  Standing this close to her, all he could think about was taking her in his arms again, holding her tight to his chest and never letting her go. “I’m still trying to figure out where I’m going to fit in.”

  “I am too.” She bit her bottom lip and looked into his eyes.

  He held her gaze, and that old familiar magnetism tugged him toward her. Leaning in, he took her hand in his, and she inched a little closer. The floral scent of her shampoo drifted to his senses, and it may have been his memory playing tricks on him, but he detected a faint hint of strawberry, like the lip balm she used to wear. She glanced at his lips and swallowed before returning her gaze to his eyes.

  He took her other hand, lacing his fingers through hers. “I know where I want to fit, but I’m not sure if it’s a good idea.”

  Her lips parted as if she were going to speak, but then she pressed them together, a look of longing battling with the confliction in her eyes. “I—”

  The damn doorbell buzzer blasted through the room, and she stumbled back, catching herself on the edge of the table and pressing a hand to her heart. “That sound might be the death of me.”

  This woman might be the death of him. “It has a tendency to ring at the wrong time.” He gritted his teeth and turned as the door swung open.

  Eric shuffled in, his arms wrapped around a black plastic case, several canvas duffle bags hanging from his shoulders. “Don’t worry about picking up any of the equipment on your way here, Syd. Jason and I can handle it all.” Sarcasm dripped from his voice as he piled the bags onto a table. “How’s it going, Blake?”

  “Let me help you with that.” Blake grabbed a bag from Eric’s shoulder and another one from Jason as he schlepped through the door.

  Sydney crossed her arms, opening her mouth for a witty comeback before snapping it shut. That almost-moment with Blake had derailed her, and she scrambled to get her thoughts in order.

  Thank you, doorbell.

  If it hadn’t rung when it did, she’d be wrapped in Blake’s enticing embrace again, and heaven help her, she wouldn’t have been able to stop herself from kissing him this time. Something about him made her want to say to hell with the ominous vision and dive in head first. Being with Blake again might be worth whatever pain the inevitable end caused, and who knew? That trip to Wonderland might not have been related to him at all.

  Her heart sank. Related or not, someone she cared about was going to die, and the signs pointed to someone close to the company. Or the company itself. Don’t forget about that possibility. Either way, until she figured out exactly what the premonition meant, she’d tread carefully. Take things slow. It would be better that way. Taking the time to get to know each other again would get them a lot further than hopping right into bed together, no matter how tempting he was.

  “Everything okay?” Eric glanced between them, and Sydney cringed. She may have been immune to his emotional prying, but Eric already knew way too much about her connection to Blake. His emotions were like an open book for an empath to read.

  “Yeah. Claire just left. She was upset that she couldn’t investigate tonight.” Blake locked eyes with her, and heat crept up her neck.

  “I’m taking her on a tour with me tomorrow night, so it’s all good.” She forced a smile, but Eric gave her a knowing look. Damn him and his invasive ability. She gritted her teeth. Damn all their abilities.

  “All right then.” Jason unzipped a bag and pulled out a camera and tripod. “Let’s get this investigation started.”

  Chapter Eight

  Blake kept busy setting up cameras and running extension cords for the team, while Sydney went into professional mode, barking orders at Eric and Jason and barely sparing a glance for him.

  Not that she had much time for flirtatious looks. The amount of equipment involved in hunting ghosts was unnerving. They had night vision cameras with wide-angle lenses set up in two corners of the museum area, another in the hallway leading to the back, and one in Sydney’s office.

  A once-empty table held an array of devices with buttons, knobs, and lights that would give them clues to
the presence of spirits, and Jason set a black, cylindrical object with a silver antenna on the staircase leading to the entresol. He jogged up and down the steps, stopping outside the storage room door, and the contraption lit up, emitting a low-pitched tone each time his foot landed.

  “It’s a vibration sensor.” Sydney’s voice close to Blake’s ear startled him, and he tried to hide his jumpiness by clearing his throat. She rubbed a hand across his back. “It’ll also detect EMF.”

  Her touch soothed his frazzled nerves, but his heart had decided his blood needed to pump ten times faster. Was it fear kicking his body into overdrive or the woman standing before him? Probably a little of both. Either way, he was done with the startled jumps. If he was going to fit in with this team, he needed to act like he belonged. “What’s EMF?”

  “Electromagnetic Field. Ghosts emit their own, so if one gets close to it, the device will pick it up.” She dropped her arm to her side and stepped away as if she hadn’t meant to get that close to him.

  “Fascinating. How long have you been doing this?”

  She shrugged. “Six years or so. It’s easier with a medium present to tell us whom we’re talking to—if we’re even talking to anyone. But with you knowing the history of the objects, at least we’ll know whom to address when we’re investigating.”

  “I’m glad I’ve got something to offer the team.”

  She grinned as her gaze swept the length of him. “You’ve got a lot to offer.”

  “Do I?”

  Her eyes widened. “The team, I mean. You have a lot to offer the team. Your ability will come in handy.”

  “I am good with my hands.” He narrowed his eyes, holding his breath as he awaited her response. Hardcore flirting during a ghost hunt probably wasn’t the best idea, but he couldn’t help himself. The woman was too damn entrancing.

  Her lips parted slightly, her brows lifting quickly in surprise before she composed herself. She slipped out her tongue to moisten her lips, and the blood drained from his head to his nether region, making him dizzy.