Free Haunted on Bourbon Street by Deanna Chase Page A

outside.”
    She grabbed her flowers and followed me. I glanced at them but said nothing. Conversations about Dan never went anywhere good.
    Once we were seated she blinked a few times then reluctantly gave me her full attention. “Kane is sex on a stick.”
    “Watch it, girl, you’re drooling.” I handed her a napkin, and my shoulders relaxed. I should have known girl chat about a hot guy would diffuse any awkwardness.
    Ignoring my napkin, Kat switched gears. “Ian left me a message you’d been attacked last night. I’ve been calling ever since. Geez, Jade, you’ve had me in a panic all day.”
    I tensed. Now she was worried about me? “I wasn’t attacked. My head just got in the way.”
    “I wish you’d have called,” she said quietly. “Who else do you have to look after you?”
    “I’m sorry. I was in no shape to call anyone. Besides, I have friends here. Pyper and Kane took care of me. See?” I held my hands out. “I’m fine. No need to worry.”
    “Except for the giant bruise on your forehead. And I’d hardly call these people your friends. I mean they work at a strip club, for God’s sake.”
    “So what?” My fists clenched in aggravation. “A minute ago you were wondering why I hadn’t thrown myself at Kane, and now you’re judging him and Pyper? You don’t even know them. Pyper isn’t some doped-up stripper. She owns the café and helps manage the club. And as for Kane, he was a perfect gentleman. Get off your high horse and drop the preconceived notions. At least they were there for me when I needed them.” I stared at my hands, trying to forget I’d been making the same sort of assumptions about Kane since I’d met him.
    Kat’s pain, mixed with frustrated anger, assaulted me. I closed my eyes, quickly building my silo barrier. Damn it. I would not feel guilty. Pyper and Kane had proven to be better friends in the short time I’d known them than Kat had in the last three months. I wouldn’t stand for her insulting them.
    “What do you mean, ‘At least they were there for you when you needed them’? When have I ever not been there for you?”
    “Never mind.” I shook my head. “It’s not important.”
    Her eyes narrowed. “It’s about Dan again, isn’t it? God, Jade, I wish you two would just let it go already.”
    “And I wish you’d wake up!”
    “I don’t want to be in the middle of this.” She closed her eyes for a moment then looked at me pleadingly. “Can we just agree to not talk about him?”
    “Fine.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Excuse me.” Ian cleared his throat. “Sorry to interrupt, but I sort of need to talk to Jade.”
    “You’re not interrupting,” I said. “We’re done here.”
    Kat stood. “I have to get home anyway. I just needed to be sure Jade was okay. Thanks for letting me know, Ian.” She gave him a quick hug and left without saying another word.
    I slumped and waved for Ian to sit. “Sorry about that. We’re having…issues.”
    “It’ll blow over soon enough. You know how Kat is. She’s protective.” Ian set a paper cup in front of me. “Pyper thought a chai might perk you up.”
    “She’s protecting the wrong person.” Closing my eyes, I took a long swig of the chai and sighed. Yep, I’d needed that. “Thanks.”
    Ian took notes while I gave him a detailed account of the night before and the vision I’d just had in the club, minus the crazy emotional turmoil.
    “Excellent.” He grinned.
    “I’m glad you think so,” I said dryly. “I’d just like it to stop.”
    “I’ve got a plan for that. After Kane called I left a message for my aunt, who has some tricks for us to ward off your ghost. I should hear back from her later today.”
    Kane had called Ian? Did they know each other? Weird. “Okay, when can we get that done?”
    “As soon as possible, but I need to take readings from inside the club first.” He stood up. “Ready?”
    I nodded and followed him into the café. We found Pyper and Kane sitting with their