Ghoul Interrupted by Victoria Laurie Page B

just said. I still thought fondly of Steven—I always would—but Heath understood me in ways that Steven never could. Heath and I got along really well together, both on-screen and off, and above all, I trusted him. Trust is hard for me, and I wasn’t sure that I’d ever really trusted Steven. Maybe it was the fact that he was a doctor and women were constantly throwing themselves at him. Maybe it was the differences in our cultures—he was from Argentina. Maybe it was just that we wanted different things in life. Deep down I knew Steven wanted a stay-at-home wife and tons of kids, and that was something that was never going to be a part of my future.
    So after a minute I focused again on Teeks, only to find her staring at me with a knowing grin. “You really are over him, aren’t you?”
    “I really am.”
    “Waffles are ready!” Mrs. Lujan called, and we both jumped; then we both laughed and headed over to the table.
    From the hallway Gilley came rushing in, still clutching a pillow. “Did someone say waffles?”
    “On the table,” Mrs. Lujan told him.
    Gil set his pillow on the couch, which was when he caught sight of what was left of the patio furniture. He made a small squeaking sound and I hurried over to him. “Don’t look,” I told him. “It’s better if you don’t stare at it.”
    Gil made another squeaking noise and moved with me to the table. When everyone was seated, Mrs. Lujan doled out the fresh waffles and said, “Did you manage to get back to sleep?”
    I nodded along with Gil, but Teeks shook her head. “I couldn’t,” she said with a shudder, hugging her coffee mug.
    “You’re going back to Boston, then?” Mrs. Lujan asked, and I wondered if Teeks had already told her.
    One look at Karen’s surprised face told me different. “Yes,” she said. “I was going to stay a few days, but whatever that thing was last night really freaked me out. I don’t even know how to explain it to John.”
    “So we’ll pack after breakfast and get out of your hair,” I said.
    Teeks was quick to hold up her hand. “Oh, no, M. J.! I didn’t mean for you guys to leave too. You stay here as long as you like. Really. It’s fine.”
    Next to me Heath shifted uncomfortably and Gilley’s big eyes flew to the windows. “I liked our hotel,” he whispered, and when Karen’s expression turned to hurt, he was quick to explain. “No offense, Teeks, but if that thing did that to your patio furniture, I don’t think those windows are gonna stop it.”
    She nodded like she understood fully. “Exactly what I was thinking, Gil.”
    Gilley then turned to me and said, “Maybe I should go back to Boston with Teeko?”
    I nearly choked on my waffle. “You won’t stay?”
    Heath looked down at his plate, clearly disappointed and maybe also a little hurt.
    “Do you two really need me?” Gilley asked. “I mean, I’ll stay if you really want me to, but I might just be in the way here.”
    I swallowed hard. Dammit. Why did Gilley have to leave the decision up to me? “If you want to go, go,” Heath said softly. Then he added, “Seriously, dude. This is my problem, right? It’s my aunt and uncle who died. I should be the one to handle it.”
    I moved my hand to rub his shoulder, then glared hard at Gil. He scowled at me and shoved a piece of his waffle around his plate, but finally he sighed dramatically and said, “I’ll stay.”
    Heath picked his chin up. “It’s really okay, Gilley. If you’re too freaked-out, then go back to Boston. I won’t hold it against you. Hell, I can’t even say I’d stay if I were in your shoes.”
    I leaned back in my chair so Heath couldn’t see the look I was giving Gilley, which basically said, “Don’t. You. Dare. Leave.”
    Gil’s scowl deepened. “I’ll stay,” he muttered. “Really, I want to.”
    For the record, no one believed that last part, but I had to give Gil credit for saying it.
    “Can we talk about the elephant in the room at least?” I