Page 56 of Hot Ghoul Summer

I step on Toby’s foot. “Ut-shay up-hay!” I hiss.

“Actually, it was your cerbi’s fault. He did damage one brake line, but Mr. Garmin’s reckless driving, speeding, and failure to comply caused the crash. He was already slated to die in a vehicular accident in the future, so this tracks. However, I’m afraid I will have to punish your assistant for misusing his form to frighten humans.”

I spring into action and gather Musketeer into my arms. “Please don’t! He helped save a whole bunch of humans this week! There were fires—and the car was burning—” I’m babbling and hugging the little dog to my chest as I back away.

Where the heck would I go? How do I fight a literal God-appointed angel?

I’m not too smart sometimes, am I?

“I’m sorry, miss. I have to.” Raphael reaches out and pats Musketeer on his central head with a sorrowful expression. “Musketeer, you are confined to your domesticated form for one month, unless innocents are facing mortal peril.”

“What? That’s all?” I’m so grateful I could cry. “Toby gets to stay with me, and Musketeer just has to stay bite-sized for a month?”

Toby sticks out his hand and wrings Raphael’s. “Best union rep, ever!”

Raphael smiles. “Remember that when I ask for volunteers for the birthday and deathday cake collections.”

“I’ll organize ‘em all this year,” Toby vows.

“Hmmm. Maybe next year. This year, you’re going to be very busy.” Raphael’s eyes glide from me to Toby. “Oh, and just because you’re not getting paid for the next two weeks, your other union benefits are still in play. Enjoy your vacation.” Raphael nods, winks, and blinds me again.

When my sight returns, he’s gone.

But Toby isn’t. Musketeer isn’t.

“The good guys won?” I ask. I can’t believe it. My shitty life doesn’t always follow that pattern.

“You think I’m a good guy?” Toby whisks me up in his arms.

“Never doubted it for a moment.”

“Ha!” Toby lowers me enough so that I can set the three-headed dog down. Musketeer bounds off and goes to make mischief down the hall, chasing ghost moths.

Toby carries me upstairs. “Come on, then. You heard the man. I’m off for another two weeks.”

“Do we get to stay here?” I ask, knowing that’s unlikely, but I can dream. The first half of my summer was busy and exhausting, and this week sucked on a whole new level.

“No, I’m afraid someone else will have it booked already... But I’ve never been to Hawaii. I hear it’s nice.”

“You’re taking me to Hawaii?” My voice reaches a pitch that probably only Musketeer can hear.

And Reapers, apparently. Toby grins. “If you’ll go with me.”

“Are you kidding? Of course I will! Hot girl summer, here I come!” I laugh, kissing his cheek.

“Ah, ah. Correction, Future Bride.”

“Sorry, Future Husband. Hot ghoul summer. Satisfied?”

Toby smirks and deposits me on the bed, rolling on top of me. “Not yet—but give me a few minutes.”