Ryan doesn’t expect too much from his weekend at the Shadows and Souls fan convention in Tahoe -- he wants to meet his online friends, engage in a few heated debates about the plot for the upcoming season, and maybe shake the hand of the TV show’s star, Johnny Marlowe. But his weekend goes off course almost immediately after his arrival. First, the hotel loses his booking. Then Johnny Marlowe talks to him like they’re actual friends. And while his head is still spinning, a ghost attacks him in the elevator.<br><br>Despite fighting ghosts every week on television, Johnny Marlowe does not believe in the spirit world. However, he does believe he should get to know Ryan better. Fan or not, the man is not only gorgeous, he’s down-to-earth, fun, and makes Johnny forget about the fake life he’s forced to lead and the ex-boyfriend who refused to participate in the charade. Unfortunately, every time Johnny tries to get close to the handsome ginger, something explodes or the earth shakes or lights blink out -- and none of that is as sexy as it sounds.<br><br>Johnny doesn’t believe in ghosts, but he knows he has to get to the bottom of this haunting if he ever wants to get close to his biggest fan.

Between the Shadow and the Soul

“You’ve done so much already,” he said. “I don’t—”


“You’re not. I want the company. I want yourcompany,” he hastened to clarify before it sounded like he was too scared to be in his room by himself even though he kind of was a little, and how ironic was it that the star of a show about the paranormal got queasy when faced with the unexplained in real life? He gave Ryan his best smile, hoping it would work to relax both of them. “I’m going to get swamped at the cocktail party, so it’s better to get the chance to chill out together now, right?”


Ryan still looked unsure, but he nodded without any more argument. “I’ll be over in a few minutes then.”


Chapter 6