“And so is good,” I argued.

“True. But just so we’re clear, supernatural beings aren’t afraid of much. You have to be pretty powerful to scare Casper into pissing himself. The everyday poltergeist isn’t afraid of angelic beings, Lor. Yet they’re terrified of Jared.”

I took a sip of soda, then rubbed my face on my monkey’s tummy. “I think he’s more good than evil,” I said, standing my ground.

“You could be right.” He leaned against the window frame. “I’m not saying he isn’t.”

“When I saw him in the forest,” I said, trying to explain, “when he changed, I just … I kind of freaked out. I ran from him. He was so big and so angry and I thought he killed that man, so I ran.”

“Lor,” Brooklyn said, “that was totally the right thing to do.”

“But when I thought about it later,” I continued, “I realized he was protecting me.”

Cameron disagreed. “You can’t know that.”

“Yes, I can. He pushed me to the ground, then changed and attacked them like he was protecting me. I was just so scared when I saw him. I’m such a girl,” I said, utterly disappointed in myself.

Brooklyn scooted beside me and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. “I wish I had been there with you. I’m so sorry you went through that alone.”

I rested my head against hers.

“You’ve had a traumatic experience,” Glitch said. “It’s gonna take a while to get over it.”

“I know, but I think it’s more the loss. I just can’t believe he’s gone. I know how that sounds after everything that’s happened. He’s probably the last person I should miss, but—”

“He’s not gone, shortstop,” Cameron said.

My head snapped up. I watched him with way more hope than I wanted.

“He never left,” he said reluctantly. “He’s been here the whole time.”

“Here? Like, where here?”

“Why do you think I’ve been staked out on your fire escape? He’s close.”

Now for the sad part.

My soul took flight! My heart soared! A euphoric, deliriously giddy sensation washed over me with the knowledge that Jared was still here. He didn’t leave. He didn’t go back to his day job.

“Do you know where he is?” Brooklyn asked.

“No, but I can feel him.”

“What do you feel?” I asked, just wanting that small bit of knowledge to tide me over while I wondered if I would ever see him again.

He ground his teeth, hesitated, then said softly, “Pain.”

I jumped up and ran to the window, searching the distance for any sign of him. “Is he hurt? Is he stranded somewhere?”

“No, not that kind of pain. Pain like yours. Deep. Desperate. It’s disturbing. Between the two of you, I’m on the verge of committing suicide.”

I put my hand on the window, wishing he would come back, praying. But just the knowledge that he wasn’t gone forever caused a flood of tears to sting the backs of my eyes.

“Please, don’t cry.”

“Holy sh—” Glitch fell out of his chair and Brooklyn yelped before plastering her hands over her mouth.

I closed my lids. His voice was like water on a scorched desert plain, welcome and nourishing.

“I’m sorry, Lorelei. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

Without another thought, without the slightest hesitation, I turned and ran into his arms. He lifted me off the ground and held me for a long time, his embrace powerful, his body warm and enveloping.

“I’m so sorry.”

“No,” I said between hysterical laughs. “I’m sorry.”

“You? You have no reason to be.”

“After everything you did for me, after you saved my life over and over, I turned on you in a heartbeat.”

“You didn’t turn on me,” he said with a release of air. “You were scared.”

“Oh, my God,” I said as I squeezed my arms around his neck and wrapped my legs around his waist. “You’re back. I was so worried.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m sorry.”

“Oh, for Heaven’s sake,” Brooklyn said, “stop apologizing. And, you,” she said menacingly at Jared, “just where the bloody heck have you been?”

He buried his face against my neck. “I thought I should keep my distance for a while, you know, in case you never wanted to see me again.”

“Please,” Glitch said, “if shortstop and moon pie never wanted to see you again, you’d be the first to know.”

I leaned back to look up at him. His jaw was darkened by days of stubble, his hair tangled, unkempt, his eyes bright with emotion. After a moment, his full mouth tilted into a lopsided grin and I couldn’t help the sharp inhalation that slipped past my lips. He totally looked like a supermodel.

He glanced at Cameron and nodded once. “Cameron.”

“Jared,” Cameron said.

Their greeting was cool, but even that was better than the alternative: nine rounds in the McAlister house. Jared’s dark eyes bored in to mine. I didn’t wait this time. Life was too short. I leaned in and kissed him right on the mouth. The kiss deepened instantly, like we each needed to drink from the other. My lips parted and his tongue took instant advantage, tasting and exploring. The heat he exuded seeped into the fabric of my pj’s. He sighed into my mouth and I breathed him in.