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Beau arches an eyebrow at me. “I see you take after him.”

I flush a little at that and smirk. “Guilty as charged. I think what ultimately convinced him that I can see things he can’t was when his longtime neighbor Ian passed away.”

Beau leans forward, keen interest in his eyes. “What happened?”

“Well, I came home for the funeral, and Ian’s daughter was beside herself with grief but also desperately trying to find her father’s will and all the necessary paperwork she needed since she was the executor of his estate. I’d come over with my parents, offering my condolences, when Ian appeared in ghostly form. From the get-go, he followed me everywhere I went. It was unnerving and I was starting to lose my cool when I realized he was trying to lead me somewhere.”

“A-ha!” Beau cries. “I had a feeling that’s where you might be going.”

“Well, he ended up directing me to a hidden crawl space in the floor under his bed, where he’d stored his will, financial paperwork, and a cool ten thousand pounds in cash. Emma was so grateful that she spent the next twenty minutes thanking me nonstop.”

“I bet.”

“Afterwards, Da asked me how I’d known where that was, and I told him the truth, and he believed me. No doubts, no questions. He just accepted it.”

And God, how that had mattered so much to me at the time.

“I’m glad to hear you have a supportive family,” Beau says softly. “It can make a world of difference. I’ve been so lucky to have Mama. She’s always accepted me exactly as I am. I suppose it also helps that there’s a history on her side of the family of folks who have The Gift, but I was the first one born in a generation, and from what I gather, my abilities are quite a bit stronger than some of my forebears.”

We’re interrupted when our food arrives, and we settle into eating while we continue to talk.

“So you mentioned that you got some kind of a pension when you took early retirement. Is that enough for you to live on, or is this new work you’re doing helping you pay your bills?”

I finish chewing the delicious bite of duck confit and wipe my mouth. “The pension’s enough to get by as long as I don’t go out and have extravagant meals like this one on a regular basis,” I offer with a wry smile. “I’ve thought about trying to start a new career, but I always end up coming up blank. I toyed with different options for the last few years, once I was well enough to go back to work of some kind, but there’s not much that interests me the way that detective work does. When I discovered ExorSquad and paranormal investigation as an alternative avenue to scratch that itch, and hopefully make more sense of my new ability, I jumped on it. Can’t say it’s made me any money thus far since Salon de Spin’s my first real case, but it’s gotten me out of my flat and given me less time to spend brooding on my situation.”

“Plus, it allowed us to meet. That’s a big win in my book.” Beau takes a delicate bite of his cassoulet and moans with pleasure.

It gives me all kinds of ideas.

Inviting him back to mine on the first date isn’t a bad idea, right? He’s made it clear he wants to get in my pants so maybe I should let him.

“I get the need to be doing investigative work. Even I can see how you come alive when you’re doing what you love. I hope this new path continues to pan out for you as a way to keep your mind and heart fulfilled.”

“I’ll be honest, I’m not sure this case would be going anywhere if you hadn’t come along to help me in my hour of need. With your assistance, we’ve found a lead that’s moving things forward.”

Even though I know Liz needs time to find things on her end, my impatient brain wants to get back to work on tracking down what happened with the fire that killed our ghosts.

“I’m so happy I could lend a hand. Those poor souls clearly need assistance in moving on after dying such tragic deaths.”

On that point, we definitely agree. Beau seems to have his own kind of justice when it comes to spirits, and that’s about helping them let go and move on to whatever comes next. I like his approach and find it sits right in my gut in a way ExorSquad’s approach never did.

Maybe we do have more in common than I realized.

By working with Beau and taking his approach to the matter, I’ve essentially gone rogue from ExorSquad. Once we wrap up this case, I’m going to have to tender my resignation.

“Besides,” Beau continues, “there have been some nice side benefits for me as well—like a free tour guide around the city who’s also my incredibly charming companion for this evening.”

Should I skip the next part of our date and say fuck it and invite him back to mine? He’s been giving me the green light since we first met.

No, that’s my dick talking.

At the very least, I want to make this a memorable evening whether or not it ends in sex. And I do have something special planned for him that I know Beau’s going to love.

We finish our food and the server comes back to see if we want any dessert, but we both decline. After we split the bill, at Beau’s request, we head outside and toward the walking path along the Thames.

The night air has gotten colder and a chill wind comes off the water, setting Beau shivering.

Instinctively, and without really thinking about it, I pull him into my side and wrap my arm around his shoulders. “Better?”