Caroselli's Baby Chase by Michelle Celmer Page B

hand.”
    “Eew,” Elana said with a shudder, rubbing her arms. “That just gave me goose bumps.”
    “Me, too,” Terri said. “I definitely never experienced anything like that, and if I had, I think I probably would have moved. In fact, if you want to look for a different place, I totally understand.”
    “The idea that someone or something is there is a little creepy,” Carrie admitted. “But I don’t get a negative vibe. I don’t feel threatened at all. Or even scared.”
    “Have you been down in the basement?” Mark asked.
    “I don’t know if I’m that brave,” she said.
    He slipped an arm around her shoulder, grinned down at her and said, “I’ll protect you.”
    The strong scent of liquor on his breath actually burned her eyes. She waited for him to remove his arm, but he left it there. It didn’t feel awful exactly. Just a little…awkward. And not sexually stimulating in the least. Which had her automatically looking over at Rob, who was leaning in somewhat close to the Asian woman. He laughed at something she said, then slipped an arm around her shoulder.
    Carrie tried to ignore an annoying little jab of jealousy. Whom he did or didn’t hook up with at a party was none of her business. Although at the rate things were going, she might be taking a cab home and spending the night alone. Which was fine. He hadn’t promised that they would spend the night together. In fact, it was probably better if they didn’t.
    And if that was true, why did she feel so crummy?
    “We should call a medium,” Elana said.
    “As opposed to a small or a large,” Mark joked, but no one laughed.
    Elana rolled her eyes. “Like the one on that cable show who talks to the dead.”
    “I’ve seen that show,” Terri said. “But isn’t she in New York?”
    “Long Island,” Elana said. “I wonder if there’s a reputable one in Chicago?”
    “Or maybe you need an exorcist,” Mark joked, the weight of his arm making her shoulder ache. It seemed that now he was leaning on her more for support, to stay upright.
    “Whatever it is, I don’t think it’s evil,” Carrie said, shifting away, only to have him lean more heavily on her. She glanced over at Rob. He laughed at something the Asian woman said, then kissed her cheek.
    Yep, she was definitely on her own tonight. She tried not to let herself feel too disappointed. It would have ended Sunday anyway.
    “We should have a séance,” Elana suggested. “Do they still sell Ouija boards? I used to have one when I was a kid. Until Nonna found it and freaked out. She was very superstitious.”
    “Did you ever actually talk to the spirits with it?” Lisa asked.
    “We used to pretend we did to scare each other, but I’m pretty sure everyone was moving the little plastic thing on their own.”
    “Whatever it is down there, maybe disturbing it would be a bad idea,” Terri said.
    And because she was the one who lived there, Carrie added, “I agree. I have no problem sharing, as long as it stays in the basement. I’ll stay out of its way if it stays out of mine.”
    She had that feeling of being watched, but when she turned to look at Rob, his attention was on his companion. All this talk of ghosts and the supernatural was making her paranoid.
    The weight of Mark leaning on her shoulder was not only uncomfortable, but it was also starting to grate on her nerves, and his cloying aftershave was giving her a headache. At the risk of him falling over, she swiftly ducked from under his arm. He teetered, then caught his balance on the edge of the counter.
    “Bathroom?” she asked Terri. She didn’t have to go, but she needed a minute or two of fresh air.
    “Down the hall on the left,” Terri told her, “and if that one is busy, there’s one in my office and another in the master bedroom, through the closet.” She lowered her voice and said, “If Mark is annoying you, just tell him to back off. He’s a decent guy when he’s not drinking. Unfortunately, that