Page 81 of Be Our Ghost

“The camera loved you. Maybe Hollywood’s calling?”

She laughed. “No thanks. I have no ambition to be on TV again. And after all the dirt you told me aboutThe Hidden Forest, I can’t imagine working in the entertainment industry. But if you ever want to return to it, I would understand. Now that everyone knows the real reason you left, you’d probably be welcomed back.”

“I’m glad the truth’s out there, but I’m happy where I am.” Last November, he’d taken a big risk in exposing his past online. Fortunately, it had paid off. Zack, Norah, and two other writers fromThe Hidden Foresthad contributed to the article. Not only had it generated a ton of buzz, but Knox had also been invited to share his story on a two-hour episode of a podcast devoted to the show.

Two days after his tell-all hit the internet, Lila dropped her own bombshell. In addition to announcing her impending divorce from Evan, she called him out for damaging Knox’s reputation. Her news was followed by two other articles blasting Evan for his toxic behavior. He’d subsequently been fired fromThe Hidden Forest, and his name hadn’t been attached to anything new. In the meantime, Lila had ended her commitment to the show and was filming a Victorian-era mystery set in London.

While Knox had no desire to return to his old gig, he’d gotten back into writing again. After revising his horror screenplay, he’d contacted his former agent, who’d been pleased to hear from him. With any luck, she might be able to sell his script, but there was no urgency. What mattered most was that he’d dragged his past into the light and had shaken free of it.

He smoothed his hand along Charlie’s cheek. “Thanks for going on this ghost adventure with me. I still can’t believe Preston gave us so much credit. Maybe he’s changing his tune.”

With a grin, Charlie broke away from him and pointed to the cash register. “That’s debatable. Seeing as how he left you one of his notes.”

Knox peered at it.

Hey, Knox,

Loving those wintry cocktails! They’re snow much fun! But now that February’s almost here, it’s time to pivot. How about some romance-themed drinks? I’m sure if you put your “heart” into it, you’ll come up with something swoony.

Charlie laughed as she read it over his shoulder. “The guy never knows when to quit, does he? You gonna be okay with this? Aren’t you the one who called Valentine’s Day a Hallmark holiday?”

Knox crumpled up the note. “That couldn’t have been me. Clearly, it was some fool who doesn’t have any faith in romance.”

She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling. “And you do?”

“You’d better believe it, sweetheart.”

THE END