by Lili Valente
“What about Hank?” Worry floods through my chest as my mind regains its grip on reality. “Is he all right?”
“He’s on his way to the hospital and is going to be fine. His wife, Francine, helped get the search party together to look for you.”
“How did you find out about it? Did they make an announcement at the lodge?”
He shakes his head. “Nope. I was just in the right place at the right time.”
“Another crazy coincidence.” I lean into him as his arm comes around my shoulders and we start back up the hill through the snow.
“I don’t believe in coincidences anymore. Not when it comes to you and me. It’s fate, Einstein. And the sooner we come to terms with that, the sooner we can get on with things.”
“Things like what?” I glance up at him as we step out of the woods, close enough to the road to see the swirling lights of a line of the emergency vehicles at the top of the rise.
“Things like being in love and making up for lost time.” The hope in his words hits me right in the heart. “I don’t want to waste another minute I could be spending with you. You’re the only adventure I can’t live without, and if you’ll give me another chance I promise you won’t regret it.”
I blink back tears. “I think another chance can be arranged.”
“Does that mean you’ll be my Valentine tomorrow?” he asks as flashlights cut through the darkness, headed our way. “I’ve got reservations at the hotel restaurant. Maybe you and I could make it a first date?”
“Sex in a haunted cabin doesn’t count as a first date?”
“Making love to you is never something I’m going to regret.” He shudders as he hugs me closer. “But the sooner we make some memories to replace getting busy on the ghost mattress, the better.”
I hum my agreement. “I wonder if we picked up ghost bed bugs from the eighteen eighties?”
He shudders. “Or ghost crabs.”
“Ew!” I laugh and immediately feel terrible about it. “God, it’s not funny, though. People died there. We did it in a crime scene, Nate.”
He looks vaguely nauseous. “We didn’t know it was a crime scene.”
“We knew it was a stranger’s bed,” I say, waving as Eduardo’s cheery face comes into sight beside two policemen in uniform. “Personally, I think there’s only one way to make this better.”
“Name it,” he says.
“You. In my room. Tonight.” Before he can answer, Eduardo swoops in, scooping me up in a fierce, papa-bear hug. But that’s okay. I don’t need an answer. The look on Nate’s face makes it clear he’ll be in my bed as soon as we can make it back to the lodge and up the stairs. And for that I will count myself a lucky girl, no matter how much bad luck I’ve had in my life.
“I’m so glad you’re okay, darling.” Eduardo squeezes me tight to his chest. “I was so worried, and Nathaniel was beside himself.” He lowers his voice, adding for my ears only, “He’s desperately in love with you, sweet pea. I hope you’ll consider giving him another chance. He really does seem to be one of the good ones, and he’s so pretty to look at.”
“He is both of those things and so much more,” I whisper, kissing Ed’s scruffy cheek. “Thank you for coming to look for me. Does this mean we’re friends? I could really use a few more friends in the city.”
“Of course, we’re friends, doll!” He puts me down with a laugh, helping a police officer wearing a red scarf wrap a blanket around my shoulders as I assure everyone that I’m fine and can walk to the ambulance on my own.
“I’m honored by the offer of friendship,” Eduardo says, falling in between Nate and me. “And as soon as we get back to civilization, we’re going to celebrate your survival with a spa day. My treat. We’ll gossip and get to know each other and I’ll show you how amazing this hair of yours can be with the right cut.”
“She doesn’t need a new haircut,” Nate says from my other side. “She’s beautiful the way she is.”
“Well, of course she is.” Eduardo leans in, adding in a conspiratorial voice. “But there’s no shame in letting a friend treat you to a makeover. Especially when that friend is one of the top names in the fashion industry. Stick with me, gorgeous, and we’ll have this boy drooling at your feet in no time.”
“He’s already pretty drooly,” I say, as Nate grunts and says, “Very drooly. And not ashamed of it.”
I grin at him before turning back to Eduardo. “But I would love to have a spa day. I’m going to be job hunting soon, and a new haircut will boost my confidence during the interviews, if nothing else.”
“Job hunting, you say.” Eduardo taps a gloved finger to his lips. “Let’s talk more tomorrow over coffee, but I know a few people who are hiring. It’s mostly entry level, personal assistant type work, but—”
“I would be thrilled with entry level work. I’d be thrilled with just about anything, honestly. But the only job I’ve ever had was working for an old woman who decided to fire me after I refused to help her get a harmless homeless man put in jail, so I won’t have any references.”
“Oh, that won’t be a problem,” Eduardo says with a wave of his hand. “I’ll tell them you’re adorable, and they’ll trust me because I have excellent judgment when it comes to friends. Boyfriends, not so much, but that’s a subject for another day, when you haven’t been wandering around the woods with hypothermia.”
Thankfully, it turns out that I don’t have hypothermia, and after a brief examination in the back of the ambulance—during which the paramedics marvel that I’m not showing any signs of exposure after being out in the cold for hours, and I shrug and pretend to be confused, too, because talking about ghost cabins would be a good way to get hauled into the psych ward—I’m cleared to head back to the hotel.
Nate and I are given seats inside the pickup truck and delivered safely to the lobby by a very nice man who is clearly relieved that this night has a happy ending.
But not as happy as I am.
“Room number twelve fifteen,” I whisper to Nate as we step inside the lobby, where the Valentine’s Day tree is looking strangely lovely all of a sudden. “Bring condoms this time?”
“I’ll buy out the hotel store and be up in a few minutes,” he says, kissing my cheek. “Don’t fall asleep before I get there.”
I arch a brow. “Do I look tired to you? I’m wired, Casey. You’ll be lucky if you sleep at all tonight. I’ve got seven years of celibacy to make up for.”
His smile fades. “Seven years?”
“Only you,” I confirm softly. “I was thinking about making an effort to get out and play the field when I got back to the city, but I think I’ve changed my mind.”
“You think you’ve changed your mind?”
“Yes, I think I have.” I fight a grin as his eyes narrow in mock anger. “But maybe if you’re really good tonight, you can close the deal.”
“Oh, I’m going to close the deal.” He squeezes my hip, sending a wave of heat through me to pool between my legs. “I’m going to make you come so many times you’re going to forget that other cocks exist, Klein. I’m going to give you a raging case of cock-nesia.”
I laugh as he pulls me into his arms under the sparkling ornaments of the V-Day tree. “Cock-nesia. That sounds serious. And a raging case? Will I ever recover?”
“Not if I have anything to say about it,” he says, dropping his lips to mine. And then he kisses me breathless right there in the middle of the lobby, while dozens of strangers walk by, going on with their lives oblivious to the miracle that happened tonight.
***
In the months that follow, Nate and I give what we experienced a lot of names—fate, kismet, acid-flashback-even-though-neither-of-us-had-ever-done-acid—but in my heart it’s always just the Miracle. The Miracle of Us, of finding what we were certain was lost, and learning there is nothing love can’t do.
Truly nothing.
There are more things in heaven and earth than we can dream of, but love’s imaginatio
n is limitless. Just like my love for this man who was meant for me.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
From the texts of Shane Willoughby Falcone,
Mitch McKibbon, and Adeline Klein
Shane: Are you sure you want to do this?
Addie: Of course I’m sure! It’s the perfect surprise.
Shane: You don’t think a cabin in the wilderness is a little on the nose after the way you two spent last Valentine’s Day eve?
Addie: It’s a cabin in the wilderness surrounded by other cabins, a good hundred miles from the scary cabin. And the Lover’s Leap Lodge isn’t haunted.
I did a thorough background check before I made reservations.
Nate and I will be fine.
Shane: Lover’s Leap?! So the lovers survived the leap…
Mitch: No, they died, but they didn’t come back to haunt the joint. I did some checking around, too, just to be safe. As much as I love Nathaniel and Adeline, I don’t want to spend my long weekend saving them from ghosts. Eduardo and I are going to be shacking up on the other side of the compound, and we’re looking forward to some alone time.
Addie: Aw, I love that you and Eduardo are in love! Isn’t he the best?
(Remember that he’s my favorite papa bear, Pervert, and if you break his heart I will break your face.)
Mitch: Shane, have you noticed that Addie’s violent side is getting more violent lately?
Shane: I have! She’s growing up to be just as righteously bitchy as I always hoped she would.
wipes tear I’m so proud.
And I second that sentiment, Mitchell. Eduardo is lovely and gives the best haircuts in the entire world. If you hurt him, I will also be forced to hurt your face.
Nothing personal.
Mitch: What about MY heart?
Is someone going to break Eddie’s face if he decides I’m boring and trades me in for a cuter model with less back fat and a better job? I’m not burning the world down with my writing yet, unlike SOME people.
Addie: Eduardo would never trade you in. He’s totally smitten, and you know you’re adorable, Mitchell. Especially when you let him dress you up.
Which reminds me, was he able to get the special delivery I asked him about?
Mitch: If you mean the raunchy lingerie I mailed to the hotel yesterday so it will be there waiting for your kinky self when you arrive, then yes, Adeline.
But seriously, gag me. I don’t like to imagine you in outfits like that. You’re like the sweet, if occasionally violent, little sister I never had.
Addie: I don’t like you imagining me in that outfit, either!
You shouldn’t have looked in the bag!
Why did you look?!!!
Shane: Ooo, I want to know what’s in the bag! Is it crotchless panties?
Mitch: Ew!
Addie: No!
Shane: A leather corset with cut out nipple holes?
Mitch: EW! STOP!
Addie: I’m not going to tell you what it is. It’s private, to help celebrate Nate’s book deal for the scary books. Just for Nate and me.
Shane: And Mitch. If Mitch knows, I should know.
I was your friend first, Adeline. I have dibs.
Mitch: Dibs on knowing what kind of BDSM-y lingerie she’s wearing on Valentine’s Day?
Addie: MITCH!
Shane: BDSM? Oh my…
So are you going to spank him, or is he going to spank you?
Addie: No one is spanking anyone!
Mitch: Well, that doesn’t sound like much fun.
Shane: Yeah, somebody should get spanked. Or at least tied up.
I enjoy being tied up, but Jake gets a little claustrophobic, so make sure Nate isn’t claustrophobic before you tie him too tight.
Addie: I thought you didn’t kiss and tell!
Shane: I don’t. I was talking about bondage and spanking, not kissing. ;)
What do you think, Mitch?
Do you think Nate is the claustrophobic type?
Mitch: I’m staying out of it.
I’ve been trying to get a new nickname for a year. I’ll never stop being Pervert in Paris if I get sucked into this kind of conversation.
Shane: Now who’s no fun? :P
Addie: Geez…
Can I just get confirmation that you’ll get Nate out of the office, Shane?
And that you’ll be downstairs ready to kidnap him, Mitchell?
Then we can all get on with our lives and pretend this over-sharing never happened.
Shane: Yes, ma’am. I will shoo Nate down the stairs before he gets sucked into the poker game, and refrain from telling Bash or Penny anything until after he leaves, since they can rarely be trusted with secrets.
Mitch: And Eduardo and I will be poised and ready to pounce, and will refuse to tell Mr. Fabulous where he’s going until we arrive. Even if he puts up a fight over being kidnapped the day before Valentine’s Day.
Addie: He won’t. He thinks I’m out of town until Monday.
I told him the final interview was on Sunday instead of today.
Shane: Speaking of the final interview!!
How did it go? Did you get in?!
I’ve been dying to be nosy, but I didn’t want to upset you if the news wasn’t good. But now that you’ve brought it up I can’t help myself.
Tell me that they were smart and begged you to attend their school.
Addie: They offered me a place in the program starting this summer…and a scholarship!
Shane: OMG! Yay!!! I’m so proud of you, Adeline.
But with your test scores they would have been idiots not to gobble you right up, you little genius. I can’t wait to say I knew you back before you became a famous architect.
Mitch: Congrats, girl! Though I am a little bummed that you and Nate are moving to New Jersey. Even if it is just for a few years.
Addie: We’ll be back to visit all the time. You’ll hardly know we’re gone.
But don’t tell Nate I got in, okay? I want that to be a surprise, too.
Mitch: Knowing him, he’ll be more excited about that than the BDSM lingerie.
He’s such a nerd. I can’t believe I didn’t know what a nerd he was until you two started dating.
Addie: LOL. He hides it well, under all the sexy.
Shane: So do you, sexy thing. Try not to give that man a heart attack tonight, okay? Take it easy with the whips and chains until he recovers from the sight of his true love in bondage gear.
Addie: I AM NOT WEARING BONDAGE GEAR!
Omg. You two are the worst.
Next time I’m making secret plans with Cat and Aidan.
Shane: Probably a good idea. I’m still half convinced that Cat used to be a spy, and Aidan has the BEST poker face. But for now, you’re stuck with us, sweets.
But don’t worry! We won’t let you down.
Mitch: No, we won’t.
And here’s hoping that I WON’T be seeing you this weekend.
May we both be held captive as willing love slaves until the drive home Monday morning.
Addie: wine glass emoji I’ll drink to that.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Nate
“Pull over here.” I point to the turn-off before the Lover’s Leap Catskill Cabins, the one that leads to the lake, which I was assured by the management is frozen solid and ready for romance.
“She’s going to kill me,” Mitch moans as he guides Eduardo’s BMW over into the gravel. “She swore me to secrecy, and she’s so proud of herself for planning this big surprise. It has layers, man. And the first layer was getting you to the cabin without knowing she was there waiting for you.”
“Addie goes with the flow. She’ll be just as happy to be the surprise-ee as the surprise-er,” I say, past ready to see Adeline’s face when she sees what I’ve cooked up. “And when we’re done with my surprise, then we can enjoy her surprise.”
“No, seriously,” Mitch says. “She saved her tips from the salon for months so she could pay in cash and you
wouldn’t accidentally see the room charge on the credit card. She’s going to skin me alive.”
“And she might not exactly be dressed for the weather,” Eduardo says beneath his breath, before adding in a chipper voice. “But that’s all right, because I brought her a friend-i-versary present that will keep her toasty and warm.”
“I’m sure she’ll love whatever it is,” I say, touched that Ed got Addie a friend-i-versary present, and so grateful that Ed and Mitch love my girl almost as much as I do. Addie was alone for too long. I love seeing her surrounded by friends and back to being the confidant, take-no-prisoners person I used to know.
“Unless she has a thing against fur.” Mitch, always willing to play the Devil’s Advocate, pipes up in an ominous tone. “Some people do.”
“But it’s vintage fur!” Eduardo turns to reach a hand over the front seat, a panicked expression flickering across his face. “Oh my God, Nathaniel, she doesn’t have issues with vintage fur, does she? I didn’t think about that, but it’s vintage. The poor animals were dead before Adeline was even born, and it’s a stunning piece. It was my mother’s, and it’s such a dainty size. I don’t know anyone except Addie who’s petite enough to wear it, and I wanted to give her something as lovely as she is. The first friend-i-versary is so important. It really sets the tone, you know…”
“She has no issues with vintage fur that I know of,” I say. “Though to be honest, we haven’t discussed fur. We’re more books, haunted New York, and ‘where can we get good tapas after midnight’ kind of people.”
“Well, I’ll just have to hope for the best.” Eduardo sighs, pointing at the floorboard by my feet. “Don’t forget your basket, Mr. Romance.”
“Thanks.” I grab my basket, clap Mitch and Ed each on the shoulder and slip out of the backseat with a last, “wish me luck.”
“Good luck,” Mitch says, while Eduardo calls out in a musical voice, “She’s going to say yes, I know it!”
Cursing beneath my breath, I turn to flip the BMW the bird as Mitch pulls away. “Thanks for the jinx, asshole!” I told both of them that this was a “so proud of you for going back to school” surprise, but Eduardo sees all and knows all.
