Page 110 of A Love Like Candle Light

“Great.” Another friendly, yet distanced customer service smile.

She walks ahead and I find myself following her like a lost puppy. Once behind the cashier counter, she scans the blanket I forgot I’m still holding and orders the book for me, then hands me a bag with the blanket and my receipt.

“Then we'll see you in two to three days. Have a lovely rest of your day, sir.”

“You too,” I mumble turn to the exit door in a daze. The closer I get to it, the harder it gets to breathe. Fuck, I need air.

“He looked really familiar,” I hear the older woman declare in a whisper, but before I can hear Maya's answer, I'm already outside.

I'm a coward.

I run across the street back to my car, jump behind the wheel and only then do I allow myself to freak out.

I'm a fucking coward.

At least I went inside the store. I met her. And now I know for sure it’s definitely her.

Once my thoughts stop spiraling, I start the engine and drive back home on autopilot.

Thirty minutes later, the panic finally subsides. Another thirty and I’m actually calm. Thirty more and all I can think about is how badly I wish Kylie was in the passenger seat so I can talk everything through with her.

I don't even consciously make the decision to drive to Kylie's, but when my mind switches off its auto pilot, I’m already pulling into her driveway. Before I even make it out of the car, Kylie is already on her porch, waiting for me.

Wordlessly, I run the few meters to her porch and scoop her up.

“I'm so proud of you,” she mumbles against my ear, hooking her legs and arms around me as I hug her to me as tight as I can. I still don't have any words.

I carry her inside, kick the door closed behind us and walk to her to the living room, where I sit on her couch, with her in my lap, and bury my face in the crook of her neck and take a deep, shaky breath.

“You met her?” Her fingers run through my hair, fingertips gently massaging my scalp. I nod. “You did so well.” She presses a kiss to my temple. “I'm so proud of you.”

“Nothing to be proud of. I didn't tell her,” I mumble against her shirt and softly shake my head.

“I don't care. I'm still proud of you.”

“Will you come with me next time?”

“Of course.”

The tears I'd been holding back all afternoon run down my cheeks and soak into her shirt. Abby jumps on the couch, clearly confused, and puts her little paws on my shoulder, nudging the side of my head with her nose.

I'm not sure what led me to come here, but I'm damn sure thankful it did.

Chapter 38

Kylie

Erik’s shoulders shake, his breath trembling as he buries his face against my neck.

“Shh.” I draw small circles over his back and run my fingers through his hair. I don’t envy him. What he’s going through is a lot. Even on the sidelines, it’s draining, because I worry about him, I can’t imagine how he feels going through everything. “You did it,” I whisper into his ear, and his hug only tightens.

“Sorry,” he mumbles, but makes no effort to let me go.

I lovingly tap the back of his head. “Don't apologize. Not for this.”

“Is there anything I should apologize for?” His voice is muffled by my oversized sweatshirt.

“For not letting me tag along. For being a little hypocrite.”