Free Love In The Wrong Dimension (Romantic Ghost Story) by Anette Darbyshire

memories came flooding back.
    By the time she got to Jack’s house, she had calmed down considerably, and her initial unease was now replaced with anticipation at seeing Jack again. As she rang the doorbell, she felt a flutter of excitement and wondered if he would be just as pleased to see her.
    “ Hey you,” he beamed as he opened the door, allowing a delicious smell of tomato, garlic and herbs to waft out. “Perfect timing, come and try the sauce for me. I hope you like Spaghetti Bolognaise?”
    “ Ooh yes, I love it, thank you.” Alice followed him into the kitchen, enjoying the warmth as she took her coat off. “It smells fantastic.”
    As Jack opened a bottle of red wine, she looked around the kitchen and admired the uncluttered and immaculate worktops, not unlike her own. Jack was very much like her, she realised, he also hated clutter and was always tidying up after himself. They’d make a great couple, she thought wistfully.
    “ What do you think?” he said, holding a spoon of steaming bolognaise sauce to her lips.
    The sauce was very hot and she blew gently at it, raising her eyes to Jack’s as she tasted it. There was something very sensuous about the moment, and Alice found herself wondering what would happen if a bit of the sauce dripped and fell onto her white top. Would he offer to clean it for her? Of course, that would mean taking it off.....
    “ Hmm, delicious,” she murmured, licking her lips seductively.
    “ Great,” Jack turned away, clearly pleased with his culinary efforts and completely oblivious to Alice’s not-so-subtle signals.
    Alice rolled her eyes and wondered what she’d have to do to get his attention. She wasn’t about to make the first move though, she wasn’t that brave. And anyway, what if he didn’t fancy her? What if he was wishing that she’d just get the message and that he was only being nice to her because he felt sorry for her?
    The dinner was lovely. Jack was an excellent cook and an attentive host, making sure her wine glass was topped up and that she was comfortable. They laughed at some of the hopeless auditions on the X Factor, and tried to predict possible winners from the good ones. It felt so right, the three of them sitting on the sofa together; her and Jack, and Casper happily curled up on Jack’s lap after licking his plate clean.
    When the programme was finished, Jack stretched, stood up and took the plates out to the kitchen. Alice followed him and stood in the doorway, watching him as he fed Casper, feeling a twinge of envy as she watched him stroke the purring cat affectionately. Jack was everything she could ever wish for in a man. Apart from the obvious, his good looks and excellent taste in music, he was also kind, warmhearted and sensitive. In fact, he was perfect. Except for one thing – he didn’t seem to fancy her.
    “ By the way, are you back at your flat?” Jack’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
    Alice blushed slightly, “Er, yes. I was going to stay with my parents, but I needed to be on my own for a bit. Sorry, I should have told you.”
    “ Hey, it’s up to you what you do. I only asked because I care.”
    “ Do you?” Did he just say he cared? Slowly, she moved closer to him, and looked up into his face, hoping for some sort of sign that he cared a little bit more than he was letting on.
    Jack hesitated briefly, then looked into her eyes before replying, in a quiet, husky voice, “Yes, I do as it happens.”
    They were standing very close now, so close that she could smell his faint musky scent. She raised her face to his and closed her eyes briefly, waiting for her much anticipated kiss.
    But Jack started to turn around and Alice saw the moment begin to slip away - again.
    “ Oh no you don’t,” she said and pulled him back toward her. She planted her lips firmly on his, before he had a chance to object, and kissed him, gently and tentatively at first, but then more urgently as she felt him respond.
    “ Wow!” he