Free Spirits (Spirits Series Book 1) by Destiny Patterson Page B

ruined.”
    “Thanks, me too.” I say taking it from him and putting it in the chair with my bag as I clean up my mess.
    “Let me help.” He grabs napkins and wipes off the table.
    “Uh, thanks.” I say while throwing everything away then grab my belongings from the chair.
    “Where are you going?”
    Glancing around I try to avoid eye contact, I’m so mortified. “To… research.” I turn to leave.
    “Wait, you didn’t tell me your name.”
    “It’s Journey.” I say without turning around.
    “Journey, cool. Can I buy you another latte?”
    I just made a complete idiot of myself yet he still wants to talk to me.  “Um, sure.” I turn to face him.
    “Great, wait right here.” He smiles and darts back in.
    I catch the group looking at me and they start whispering and giggling.  I want to run off and I almost do but then a thought hits me.  If I run every time I do something klutzy or stupid I’ll never meet anyone.
    “Hey Carson.” A cute petite red head says as he passes the group.
    “Olivia.” He nods and continues towards me.
         “So what are you researching ?” he asks handing me the cup with a lid.
    “Thanks. The history of the area.”
    “That will be interesting. Mind if I join you?”
    I swear there’s a colony of butterflies in my stomach and my face is as red as Olivia’s hair. “Sure.” I shrug not wanting to seem to desperate or interested.
    He smiles slightly, “So Journey, where are you from?” he asks following closely beside me.
    “Manhattan, is it that obvious I’m not from around here?”
    “Your accent gives you away. Are you on vacation?”
    “No, we moved here a couple of days ago.” I inform glancing at him.
    He peaks his brow and smiles, “Nice.”
    “So I’m assuming you live here.”
    “Born and raised. I can tell you a lot about this place, what do you want to know?”
    I don’t want him to think I’m weird, if he doesn’t already… “The things they leave out of history books.”
    “That’s a little vague.” He chuckles, “Savannah was established in 1733 but people lived here before then and a lot has happened over the years.”
    “I’m sure.” I nod. A civil war soldier is heading straight towards us I look at Carson to avoid looking at the apparition. Carson stops and lightly grabs my arm closing his eyes, “Who was the guy you were with yesterday?”
    “My brother, Drew.” I tell him looking at his hand on my arm as the ghost passes us. Goosebumps, it’s way too hot out here to have those.
    “That explains why y’all look so much alike.” He says glancing behind us and releasing my arm.
    “Yeah, we’ re twins.” I follow as he continues forward.
    “Well you were a good bit away, I couldn’t make out every detail in my defense.”
    “It’s cool, why’d you ask?”
    “Just curious. I didn’t want anyone getting jealous.”
    “Of what?”
    “Us hanging out.”
    “You don’t have to worry about that.” I shake my head.
    “Not yet anyway.”
    “W hat’s that supposed to mean?”
    He shrugs, “You’re new, you don’t know anyone but you will soon.”
    “Huh, I’m not exactly a social butterfly if you haven’t noticed.”
    “That doesn’t mean other people won’t talk to y ou,” he smiles, “some guys like shy girls.”
    I’m not about to blow that out of proportion. It doesn’t mean he necessarily likes shy girls… Or does it?
    “S o do you live in town?” He asks as we stop on the corner waiting for the light.
    “No my parents bought an old plantation right outside.”
    “I bet you love that.” He grins.
    “Not really.” I shake my head thinking about everyone else I have to share the place with.
    “Why not?”
    “I’m just not fond of old houses.” That’s mostly inhabited by the dead.
    “You know most people find them charming.”
    Until they find out they are haunted, “I am aware. I guess it’ll just take some getting used to, we lived in an apartment before.”
    “So it’s the