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“So.”

Nate opened one eye.

Leo was looking at him. “I think you still need to rinse.”

Nate laughed. “Very romantic.”

Leo was right, though. Nate picked up the sponge and set it on the rim of the tub. Then he stepped under the spray and rinsed the remaining soap from his skin.

Leo stayed where he was, watching.

“Enjoy yourself?” Nate asked.

“Immensely.”

“Good.”

“And I won.”

Nate looked at him. “You dropped the sponge.”

“Because you surrendered.”

“I surrendered nothing. I changed tactics.”

Leo huffed a laugh. “Of course you did.”

“I want a rematch.”

Leo appeared to consider this. He tilted his head. “I remember you saying no ghost beats you twice.”

Nate reached for the faucet, then stopped. That had been about something else entirely.

Leo was looking at him expectantly, a challenge in his gaze. A challenge and maybe a hint of uncertainty?

Silly, silly ghost.

“I’m not going to exorcise you,” Nate said. “In case that wasn’t clear.”

“It was perfectly clear,” Leo lied. “You’re still going to lose the rematch.”

“We’ll see.” Nate shut off the water and stepped out of the tub.

Back downstairs, Nate carried his plate and mug to the sink. Leo followed him.

He was tired, but he could think a little more clearly now. As he washed his mug, the events of the day kept running through his mind.

“Are you sure Walt didn’t mind that I went to chop wood?” he asked.

“I think he understood.”

Nate rubbed his thumb over a stain inside the mug. “I just lost track of things.”

“It’ll be okay.” Leo paused. “Actually, there was something else I meant to tell you. Something he said.”

“What’s that?”

“He tried to find help for me.”