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

Johnny’s co-lead, Holly Jensen, was more stunning in real life than she was on television. Shorter, too. Even in her heels, she barely came up to Ryan’s chest, and he felt a curious fondness for her as soon as they met. She reminded him of his little sister. Well, she would if he had a little sister. Johnny and Holly sparkled onscreen together, and Ryan was happy to see the chemistry was real. She and Johnny were obviously pretty close. They stuck near each other during the mixer, even when different groups of fans surrounded them, jockeying for position and attention


Jay Winters, the third in the trifecta of stars, was older than his costars, louder, and quickly attracted the most attention. Holly and Johnny were both fairly new on the scene, but Jay had been around for years, and many of the fans at the convention remembered him from his other series and movies. He clearly reveled in the attention. Ryan had been almost as excited to meet him as he was to meet Johnny.


Chapter 9