Clasping her hands to her chest like a starlet in an old black and white horror movie, Alicia barely stifled a gasp. “Liam?” she said, but the realization had come too late – she was falling. She caught the railing at the last second and managed not to tumble down the last five steps. Still, she felt herself blush from head to toe as she pulled herself up, straightening and taking careful, shaky steps until she reached the safety of the kitchen floor. “Didn’t mean to startle you,” he said, his blue eyes locking on her. “It’s okay. I just— Well, all that talk about ghosts… I thought I heard something, and then of course I had to check out the house to make sure I imagined it. I can tell by your expression that you think I must be crazy.” “Not at all. If I heard a strange noise, I’d do the same thing. What did it sound like?” She shook her head. “Nothing, really. I’m sure it was nothing. I get creeped out easily, especially living out here all alone. It’s peaceful, but it can be kind of spooky too.”
