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  He closed the door and took the long way around to his side of the car, forcing a few long, hard breaths before climbing in beside her. The instant they were closed inside that space together, all his efforts at calming himself were for naught. He’d been inside her twice, but sitting there like that, going out like normal people, felt like another thing entirely. He glanced over at her, only to find her gazing at him, her expression easy and sure. And she looked so beautiful.

  Out of nowhere, he said, “Thank you.”

  Her laughter rang out like bells. “For what?”

  “For agreeing to go out with me.”

  She reached over and put her hand on his knee. “Thanks for asking.”

  “Right.” He couldn’t help grinning. He’d asked, and she’d said yes. “Right.”

  With that, he turned the key in the ignition and positioned both hands securely on the wheel.

  It was a quiet ride over to the restaurant. At some point, she asked where they were going, and he grinned, kept his eyes on the road and told her she’d find out soon enough. It wasn’t as if he was really keeping her guessing. In a little college town, there weren’t all that many options, and when they pulled up in front of his favorite Italian place, there was a smug tilt to her mouth.

  “You’re okay with Italian?”

  “Love it.”

  He got out and went around to her side of the car. He wasn’t in time to get her door for her, but he could at least take her hand as she stepped out. The whole walk across the parking lot, he didn’t let it go.

  Inside, the usually bustling restaurant was unusually slow, just like everything else was when classes weren’t in session, and before long, they were seated across from each other in a quiet booth in the back. As he perused the menu, Josh kept darting his gaze over to Ellen to take in her face. She read with her full attention, and in spite of the make-up and the styled hair, she looked so much like the girl from the other side of the lecture hall that it made his chest tight. Finally, she put down her menu and smiled at him.

  “Figure out what you want?”

  She nodded, licking her lips and gazing at him. “I think so.”

  “Good.” He stared right back, as caught up as ever in her.

  The sound of a throat clearing broke the moment. Josh looked up to find a waiter hovering, his expression clearly questioning whether he should stay or go. Josh folded his menu up and nodded. Once they’d placed their orders, the waiter retreated just as quickly as he’d come, and Josh was left alone with Ellen.

  For a minute, all he could do was stare.

  She was the first to glance away. “So…” she said.

  “So.”

  “This is us. On a date.”

  “That it is.” Just the thought made him smile. He reached across the table and held his hands out, silently asking. She hesitated, gaze down, but then placed her palms in his. “I really am glad you’re here.”

  “Me, too.” Only her eyes still weren’t meeting his.

  “Hey.” He squeezed her fingers. “Look at me?”

  Her gaze rose, her shoulders straightening.

  He drew in a deep breath and rubbed her knuckles. “I asked you out because I want to get to know you. This weekend…” His voice trailed off as flashes of heat slid over his skin.

  Fortunately, she finished his sentence for him. “Was amazing.”

  “So amazing.” He lifted their joined hands and leaned forward to press one soft kiss to the back of each. “And I just…I want to know you.”

  She flinched but didn’t shut down. “I already told you. There’s not much to tell.”

  “And I already told you, I don’t believe you.”

  Her gaze followed their hands as he lowered them down to the table. Her voice low and just a little distant, she asked, “When do classes start up again for you?”

  Right. Because she still thought he would be leaving soon.

  “Monday,” he answered honestly. “But my dad and I are leaving Saturday for this…camping thing.”

  “So you’re leaving in four days.”

  It wasn’t exactly a lie. “Yes.”

  “We met on Saturday and you’re leaving on Saturday. A week and a day. And you want to get to know me?” Her voice was disaffected, but there was something wavering to it, too. “Is it even worth it?”

  “Yes.” He didn’t hesitate, didn’t give an inch. With his eyes, he tried to tell her what he didn’t have words yet to say. “To me, it is. The question is, will you let me?”

  She didn’t answer, just withdrew her hands and looked away at the TV in the corner. Everything about her posture was affected nonchalance, but there was tension in there, too. The downward tug at the corner of her mouth and the tapping of her nail against her lip. And it was…horrible. Awkward and awful and…

  Silently cursing at himself, he balled up his napkin in his fist. He’d had to press. He’d just had to.

  But how else was he going to get what he wanted from her?

  Just then, she started, turning toward him, fingers going to her hair and lips parting as if she were about to speak. His heart rose into his throat, but the instant her gaze connected with his, she darted it away again. Twisted her whole body away.

  But she’d wanted to talk to him. She had.

  And he could wait as long as she needed him to.

  It didn’t take that long, after all. Three more aborted attempts at speech, each more resolved than the last, and she finally faced him straight-on. The uncertain motions were all gone now, her elbow anchored to the edge of the table, hand loosely curled in the air in front of her.

  “You really want to do this?”

  Did she even know what she was asking?

  Voice and gaze both dead level, he said, simply, “Yes.”

  Ruby’s Ghost

  Shona Husk

  Breaking up is hard to survive.

  One moment, Tate Cooper is giving his ex-girlfriend a lift home on his motorcycle. The next, his soul is suspended between life and death, wandering in confusion between the accident scene and the house he grew up in.

  Except it’s not his home anymore. In his old bedroom sleeps a beautiful young woman, the only person who can see him. And the only person who can keep him from succumbing to the temptation to escape the horrific pain awaiting him in his mortal body.

  Eloise Jones should be studying for her college exams, but it’s tough to stay focused when a lost soul keeps appearing in her room. She figures it must have something to do with sirens she heard screaming in the night, but she’s helpless to assist—and helpless to resist.

  As Eloise tries to help Tate unravel the tangled facts surrounding the accident, longing and desire grow into an almost tangible bond between them. But then a second spirit appears, one with a darker intent that could separate them before love draws its first breath…

  Warning: Contains a vengeful ex and a romance that crosses the boundary between life and death.

  eBooks are not transferable.

  They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

  11821 Mason Montgomery Road Suite 4B

  Cincinnati OH 45249

  Ruby’s Ghost

  Copyright © 2013 by Shona Husk

  ISBN: 978-1-61921-440-8

  Edited by Jennifer Miller

  Cover by Kanaxa

  All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  First Samhain Publishing, Ltd. electronic publication: May 2013

  www.samh
ainpublishing.com

  Table of Contents

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  About the Author

  Look for these titles by Shona Husk

  Also Available from Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

  Copyright Page