Ghost Boyfriend

man

Virginia Times is a few blocks off Kiss and hug with its shimmering structure protruding farther into the blue sky above. The sun reflected off its gold-plated windows and from the fancy Caffe opposite where I sip a cappuccino I could see the bustling activities going on within it.

"He's been promoted to Managerial status," I tell Mark, holding up my cell against my left ear to stall any curiosity. "Which is a very big post so you'll have to go all the way up to the first floor. He's tall, lean, sexy and dark-haired...the perfect gentleman." I sigh dreamily. "Anyways, find him while I stay here."

Judging from how huge the building is, I might wait here a while. It's not even three minutes yet and I'm ordering a second cup of cappuccino. I look around dully, to an old couple kissing a few tables off, a pair of smooth-looking girls smooching behind me and the coffee man flirting with a girl who's pretty much of a hog. What company! Irked, I text away, sipping my cappuccino slowly when Mark reappears beside me, eyes gleaming and he's glowing all over. I raise my phone to my face, pretending I was on the line again.

"Well," I glance at him. "Did you find him?"

"Kinda," he nods absently, obviously in his own world. "I heard a man say he took the day off or something."

"What?!" I gasp, affronted. "He took the day off? But we couldn't find him home."

"That's what I heard."

"Did he leave the name of the resort he'd visit or events he'd be on the whole day? Can you help me with it please?"

He eyes me then vanishes. I pluck from a Snicker bar and nibble on it, a million thoughts swirling through my mind. Where would he go? He'd never taken a day off from work before. Could he be shopping with Tina for their wedding? Gawd, I'm so stupid. The whole of today wasted on that imp. Arggh.

Mark materializes out of nowhere once more and I'm all eager. "So, find anything?"

"Oh yes, he's on leave. I heard the receptionist tell the most gorgeous looking man I've ever seen in my entire life that Reece is off at England shopping for his wedding." I pale at his words. England? I've never been to England. Well, another reason why Tina's looking so breezy. Ugh, I'm so overthinking this. It's a good thing he's moved on. I should be happy but I'm not. I never believed I could sabotage my love life like this... I mean I'm supposed to be the one with him shopping for our big day right?

Sighing loudly, I pull out the last of my Snicker bar, unwrap it and take a neat bite. "We'll have to wait for him to get back. The trail ends here. No further clue."

I kinda expected him to feel down spirited but he's so calm, I look up through my lashes to see him grinning stupidly at nothing in particular. "What's gotten into you?"

"Oh, Peter!" he squeals, hugging himself. "I think I've met The One. Gosh, he's so handsome and the sizzles... Peter, I feel the sizzles every time he smiles!"

I roll my eyes, envious. "You can't meet 'The One' when you're dead and you're not even gay to start with."

"Things change," he says faintly. "Damn sexuality when it comes to the sizzles. No one has control over it."

He's such a good liar, I'd give him that.

"Is he a ghost just like you?" I feel thrilled to know. "Did he say hello?"

"No-no! He's not a ghost but he's so sexy I just wanna gobble him up whole. He was talking and his voice sounded like dark velvet. The receptionist was looking at him pretty closely. I wish I could pluck her eyes out and stuff it down her throat, she's such a swine." his eyes bulge in menace and I can't help feeling exasperated.

"Enough about him now, I've got pressing matters to attend to today," I get up and head out to catch the tube but Mark blocks my way. "What gives?" I glare at him. "I've got to be somewhere by twelve."

"I can't lose him. I need to have him," he says firmly.

"I'm sorry what?" I almost laugh out cynically. "You've only seen him today! He doesn't even see you hovering about so forget about having him. Dead people don't have love interests."

"I feel the sizzle. It was right there in my guts, pulling me towards him. I pictured us gliding gracefully across the room."

"Excellent imagination," I say absently. "Maybe if you wish hard enough, he'll die. Then you both can be together as a ghost couple - " I make to brush past him but he blocks me.

"I demand you get out of the way," I say fiercely, slightly flustered.

"I've never felt this way before. Not even with Ara, my ex-girlfriend I dated back in sophomore year. This is my love story Peter, don't you want to help structure it?"

"Hell no," I say blatantly. "This is a waste of time and your murderers? Don't you want to bring them to book and finally have a deserved rest?"

"I want to have fun a tidbit. Do this for me," he pleads, an inch off the ground. "I promise I won't be so ungrateful."

"Don't kneel!" I blurt out aloud, embarrassed. Hi everyone! Full time lunatic here!

His eyes are determined. "Do it for me. Ask him one a date and see how it goes."

He's so intense and comical, I want to giggle.

"You want me to go on a date for you? With some nacho guy, I don't know?"

"He's not a macho guy, he's my prince charming. And yes, so what? Only an hour or more so I can kiss him."

I blink in disbelief. "Mark, you know you're dead right?"

Coldly, he replies. "Of course I know, stop reminding me of that."

"So, therefore, this is going to be a flop. You can't kiss him. I mean, if you can't hold a champagne glass, how will you feel his lips against - "

"If you kiss him, I get to kiss him too,"

I'm too shocked to move. "Seriously?"

Oh God, how did I end up with him?

"This is the last favour I'll ask from you. Please. Just this little thing."

"You've already used up your last wish! It was to help find your murderers."

For a moment, he looks smacked. "Squeeze this little request in please."

"Mark," I try to sound realistic. "I can't simply walk up to a guy I barely even know and go all 'Hi! excuse me cutie. Do you think we could go on a date? Tomorrow at Henshaw's bar. 6:55 PM. What do you say? And oh! You'll kiss me too!' No. It doesn't work that way. You'll have to do without this. I'm sorry."

He scans me with a silent quiver, his eyes almost liquid that I instantly feel awful all over.

"It's a no? You won't even do this tiny favour for me?" he says in a cracked voice, his tone laced with heartfelt emotion. "This is unbelievable. You should want to help out an ex."

"Mark - "

"You said that you loved me while I was still alive. You cherished our relationship. But now all I'm asking is for one little thing and you're refusing. It's unfair."

You're unfair! I want to yell out loud. Ghosts don't do hook-ups.

"Look Mark," I say in my most soothing tone. "It's on one's fault you're dead and give it up! For f**k's sake. He's not going to see you to foxtrot with. So I say, jut your chin out, wear a shirt and we'll go clubbing at Tweets."

"You don't get it do you?" his eyes still held emotion. "I felt the sizz - "

"Shut out the sizzles if you have to!" I yowl. Great, everyone's watching. What a splendid day to pull off a show.

"This shows you were a selfish boyfriend and all the while you pretended you loved me? Why did you do that - "

Lawd, I rub at my sweating forehead. "Alright fine!" I succumb. "I'll help you do it. Show me the way already!"

"You're a darling!" Mark's dull mood is suddenly flipped to goofy exhilaration. "This way hon," he's practically running across the street now. "Come on! I'll show you to him!"