Page 115 of A Love Like Candle Light

“Hey.” She puts her hands on my shoulders and shakes me gently. “Whoever ‘they’ are, they will get their comeuppance. Finding Lilith was the first step. Let Frank handle the rest. Right now, don't be a cop. Be a brother.”

Her face slowly lights up.

“You found your sister, Erik.” She pulls me into another hug. “Celebrate!”

It still doesn't feel quite real. I can barely remember the last time I was a brother. But hopefully I'll have to get used to it again soon.

Chapter 40

Erik

“Ugh, why am I more nervous than last time?” I mumble under my breath and drum my fingers against the dashboard. It’s time to collect the book I ordered and I’m a goddamn wreck.

“Because you care.” Kylie says it matter-of-factly and puts her hand on my bouncing knee. Thank God she’s driving, because I’m going insane here. “Take a deep breath, babe. We're almost there.”

I close my eyes, lean my head back against the headrest, and inhale.

“That’s it.” Her thumb draws a circle over my knee. “Now another one.” Her hand wanders from my knee up to my neck, fingers toying with the hair at the base. “Do you feel better?”

“A little,” I whisper, keeping my eyes closed and leaning into her touch. And then the car comes to a stop and my anxiety is back with full force.

“Hey.” I open my eyes, realizing she found a parking spot right in front of the store. Which doesn’t help with my anxiety in the least. I should’ve told her to park further away to give me a few more moments for emotional preparation.”

“Come on, let’s go inside.” She lets go of me, and I already miss her gentle fingers in my hair. “Like pulling off a Band-Aid. Let’s go!”

“Okay.” I clear my throat and wipe my clammy hands on my jeans. It’s raining, drops hitting the windshield in a lazy melody and then my head as I climb out of the car. “Let’s do it.”

Kylie wants to rush inside, but I stop her with my hand on her arm and pull the hood of her jacket over her head.

“Seriously? It’s like five steps to the entrance.”

“Don’t want you to catch a cold,” I mumble. And the soft look she shoots me makes my heart flutter. A temporary ease to my anxiety, at least.

“You’re so cute,” she mumbles with a grin that makes my heart melt and threads her fingers with mine. “Come on.”

She pulls on my arm and I force my legs to cooperate and move. One step, two, up the steps to the store’s entrance. And then the store’s entrance bell jingles and the door clicks shut behind us.

“Welcome. Oh!” The same older woman from last time greets us. She stops in her tracks, a stack of books in her arms and tilts her head, eyeing us from head to feet. “You’re back.”

“Hi?” I mumble. Kylie squeezes my hand. I’m not sure if that sounded enthusiastic.

“Maya?” she suddenly shouts through the store, making both Kylie and me jump at the sudden loudness.

“What is it?” I hear her steps approach, each one pulling the knot in my throat tighter. And then there she is.

“I am here to collect the book?”

Maya stops in her tracks and stares at me. And in this moment, I realize, she knows. Before my brain can comprehend what’s happening, she takes a step towards us. Then another one, then breaks into a full sprint and throws her arms around me.

“You’re him, right?” She suddenly freezes, then takes a step back, hands remaining on my arms. “You’re my brother, right?”

“Yes,” I confirm, throat tight. And she throws her arms around me again.

“Good. Fuck, that would’ve been awkward otherwise,” she mumbles.

Kylie nudges me with her elbow, and that’s when I realize I’m not even hugging her back. Time to rectify that.

“Oh my God,” she whispers and lets out a sobbing giggle.