Haunted by Danni Price Page A

he’d spoken more than two words to her, and considering he serviced their computers every time the antiquated things broke down, it said a lot.
    As she continued to fumble with the English language, he fidgeted with the folder in his hands. “So, can I sit?”
    She glanced at the entrance to the shop. If Daphne didn’t get here soon, Virginia would kill her, slowly. “I guess.”
    A broad smile spread across his face as he dropped into the seat opposite her. A somewhat rumpled manila folder landed on the table between them. Printed on the front in block letters was the name Quinn DePaul. “My name is Jake Matthews. You may not remember --”
    She held up her hand. “Yeah, you’re the computer guy.” Quinn DePaul? Gorgeous Quinn, who all the girls lusted after in high school, including Virginia. “Isn’t he…” She looked from the folder to find Jake studying her with sad eyes.
    “Yes, he died last year. And that’s why I think you may be the only person who can help me.” He removed his glasses and wiped the lenses with a napkin. With a start, she realized he was handsome too, but in an understated way with his black-rimmed glasses and conservative clothes.
    “And how is that?”
    He stared down at his hands. “You’re a medium, right? Everyone and the sign on your shop says so.” With a sigh, he pushed the folder toward her. “I’ll be honest. I never believed any of this supernatural stuff before, but something weird is going on.”
    She pushed the folder away at the realization it was going to be one of those conversations. “So if you don’t believe, how am I supposed to help you?” Better yet, why would she want to?
    “My friend died about a year ago.”
    Poor Quinn. People didn’t die at twenty-eight, especially not handsome, athletic ones. “I’m sorry. I really am, but I’m not accepting new clients.” Not since the proceeds from her occult shop afforded her sufficient income to avoid doing so. Someday she hoped to give up working as a medium entirely.
    “Can you at least hear me out? I don’t have anyone else I can go to.” His large hand rested on the folder, fingers splayed. He pushed it forward again. His gaze captured hers. “Please.”
    Her reserve weakened at the waver in his voice. She snatched the folder and flipped it open. The contents started out innocently enough. Quinn had died from a brain aneurysm on a visit home to see his family and friends. Yes, it happened at a value hotel while he screwed some random woman, but nothing looked out of order. Quinn’s promiscuous behavior was a well-known fact in the small city.
    She glanced up at Jake. “I don’t see what the issue is. Yes, it’s tragic he died, but it happened naturally. Souls don’t generally linger on Earth without a reason.”
    The big man with the mocha eyes and caramel-colored skin blushed. Something about him made her want to pounce, tongue first. Either she wanted to sleep with Jake, or reducing him to his food-like qualities meant she wanted dessert. Hell, who was she kidding? She wanted both, preferably at the same time. As if on cue, Daphne arrived to save her from delving too deeply into sticky fantasies.
    Gorgeous in a curvy blonde bombshell kind of way, Daphne attracted men with zero effort. When she came on the scene, Virginia all but disappeared where men were concerned. His gaze flicked over Daphne in her flimsy pink sundress, but returned to Virginia.
    “Please read the whole folder and call me. My contact information is included on the last page.” With one last furtive peek in Daphne’s direction, he jumped up and shoved a hand at Virginia.
    She reared back at the violation of her personal space but shook his hand nevertheless. His touch, so gentle for a man his size, awakened her senses. There was something mesmerizing about the sight of their hands joined. His hand, large and tanned, made her pale skin with its pink undertone appear exotic. Her stomach flip-flopped.
    He didn’t shake