“Hello mate!” Reuben greeted, face too big for the screen. “Happy new year!”

  “Happy new year to you too, Roobs,” Zoe said. She tilted the phone slightly. “Ever’s here too.”

  “Ah, the animal whisperer himself!” Reuben said. Ever leaned across, pressing his cheek into Zoe's and waved. Reuben eyes widened, twinkling. “Wait… you guys…”

  Ever’s cheesy grin at his girlfriend turned into a wince when a blushing Zoe pinched the inside of his thigh under the blanket.

  “Yes, we’re together,” Zoe huffed.

  “Naughty!” Reuben said, waggling a finger at them. “Anyway, Joey’s settling down well. Feeding from the bottle, jumping around. He’ll be ready to join a new mob in no time. I’ll keep you guys posted. Don’t get up to too much trouble!” He winked exaggeratedly through his phone camera before Zoe ended the video call.

  She put the phone on the coffee table and heaved a great sigh, closing her eyes.

  “Are you OK?” Ever asked.

  “Mmm,” she said. “Just…” There was a weight to her silence that he felt had grown over the last few days. “Not looking forward to work next week.”

  “Why?”

  She laced her fingers into his, her skin drawing warmth from Ever’s. “You'll see.”

  He squeezed her hand from under the blanket. Together, they watched their pets play in the kitchen - well, one pet, anyway. Mimi would get low on all fours, her tummy practically plopping on the tiled floor. Then she would jump at Nika, stubby forepaws wobbling in the air as she passed through the ghost cat. Nika of course was nonchalant as can be, licking his forepaw.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  “I’m excited for our road trip,” Ever said. “Is it far to drive to the 12 Apostles?”

  “Not too much further than what you drove from the snow cabin back down into town,” Zoe replied. A bit of warmth crept back into her voice. “I’m excited too.”

  Nika walked away from Mimi, tail high; the dog had already gone to play with her self-fetching Christmas present in the hallway. The cat leapt up gracefully, landing whisper soft not on Zoe, but on Ever’s legs.

  ^Pet me,^ he commanded.

  Ever stared stonily at the ghost cat.

  “What does he want?” Zoe asked.

  “He wants me to pet him.”

  “I’d do it if I were you,” Zoe laughed, nudging her boyfriend. “Who knows how many years it’s been before he’s actually felt someone touch him?”

  Ever shrugged. He closed his eyes and when he reopened them a second later, he had the same translucent form as Nika.

  Zoe gasped, causing Ever to start. She was looking not through him, but at him with her stunned, wide eyes.

  “How?” She whispered. “Why now?”

  Ever turned, his form intersecting with Mary’s old couch.

  “Can you… can you hear me?” He asked, reaching out a hand.

  She nodded, smile reaching her eyes for the first time in a while. “Yeah, I can.”

  ^A-hem.^

  The ghost cat glared disapprovingly at the apprentice reaper.

  “Let me give Nika what he wants first,” Ever said. “Then we can talk.”