Page 94 of Shake Your Boo Thang

“Hahahahaha!” Beau’s laughing so hard he’s doubled over. He gives Jonathan a thumbs-up. “Nice work, sir.”

I don’t know how long we continue like that, all of us dancing our hearts out. But when the playlist finally comes to an end, the colored phantom floor and mirror ball slowly flicker out of existence.

One by one, the ghosts stop to speak briefly with Beau and several offer me a ghostly pat on the back. Then they too disappear.

Jonathan is the last and spends the longest talking to Beau. By the end, he’s got tears in his eyes. He gives me a wink and an air kiss and is gone.

Beau takes out his beloved pocket watch. “What do you know? Midnight on the dot. Just like Cinderella and her magic pumpkin carriage.”

Then he bursts into tears.

Flustered, I pull him into my arms, not sure what else I can do.

“It’s all right,” I try to reassure him. “We did it. We were able to help them move on. You’ve done a good thing.”

“I know,” he wails, “but I’m still so darn sad. They were such beautiful souls who deserved more. Their lives were cut short far too soon. It’s all stupid and unfair, and I hate it.”

“I know, luv,” I say, pressing kisses into his hair. “But they were grateful, weren’t they? You helped them when no one else could.”

He only sobs even more.

“Please don’t cry, sweetheart.” I don’t like him hurting this much but I don’t know how to fix it for him.

Finally, I do the one thing I know might stop the tears.

I put every ounce of what I feel for him into a fierce kiss. This bright and beautiful man is a gift. He opened the windows of my heart and let light and love in. He gave me hope for the first time since my accident. How in the world can I ever repay him? And do I even deserve someone as amazing as Beau Montgomery?

After several long moments, I pull back, breathing heavily. Beau’s cheeks are rosy and his lips swollen, but the tears have stopped.

“You play dirty, sir,” he chides. “Those lips of yours are a secret weapon.”

I chuckle. “If it can make you feel better, then I have no regrets.”

He pulls a checkered handkerchief that matches his bow tie—naturally—from his pocket and wipes at his face. “I must look a frightful mess right now.”

I cradle his face in my hands. “You always look beautiful to me.”

Red nose, puffy eyes, and all.

“Mama was right. You are a sweet talker, aren’t you?”

“Only when it comes to you, sweetheart.”

He gives me a sly smile. “I might start getting the wrong idea if you keep using all these endearments with me, darlin’.”

“It’s not the wrong idea,” I say, my voice hoarse with emotion.

His eyes widen and he searches my face.

From the start, Beau has always been the one to be brave and bold. Now it’s my turn.

“I’m in love with you,” I blurt out, my heart squeezing in my chest.

Well, it might not be the suavest declaration of all time, but direct is more my style anyway.

For a long, anxiety-inducing moment, he stares at me.

Then he smiles so blindingly bright that he could give the sun a run for its money.