Page 123 of A Love Like Candle Light

"Yeah, I'm fine." I clear my throat. "Is it weird that I’m a little sad she's gone?"

"No." Nic immediately shakes her head. "If Chaos left me, I'd be devastated. As scary as it was in the beginning, I've gotten used to the little menace."

"It’s exactly how I feel about her. Like, every time she slammed a door or a cupboard shut, I'd panic. But now, knowing she won't do it anymore, is sad.” Maybe I'm even going to miss her.

"You can always get yourself more pets if you want company."

Erik appears next to me and puts his arm around my shoulder.

"Speaking of," I turn to him, "you should totally get a dog. You know, a police dog that can attack perps for you and all."

"I can count the number of times I would have needed that on one hand." Erik shakes with a chuckle. "We can’t even get new computers; I doubt anyone would give me funds for a police dog."

"Then as an emotional support animal," Nic proposes and cocks her head.

"I'm pretty sure any officer would lose their job if they needed an emotional support animal at work."

"Party pooper.” Nic rolls her eyes. “Anyway. To switch to more pleasant topics of conversation, are you two coming over for Thanksgiving?"

"Yes," I immediately declare, and Erik nods.

"Do you mind if Aunt Molly comes too?"

"Oh no, not at all. The more the merrier." Nic nods enthusiastically. "Lauren and I are doing the turkey and two or three sides. It would be lovely if you could bring something too. Maybe mac and cheese or dessert."

"I can do dessert,” I declare.

"Perfect." She shoots me a grin.

"Dick, no!" Kieran says very sternly, very loudly, catching all of our attention. "Leave the nice pillow alone."

"Oh no." I shoot the two of them an apologetic look and hurry to the living room.

"I said no," Kieran hisses and tries to pry his dog's mouth open, but he seems to think they’re playing a game.

What a chaotic group I found over here. But I wouldn't trade these guys for the world.

Chapter 44

Kylie

The silence once everybody is gone hits differently. I stop in the doorframe to my living room. Somehow the air feels lighter.

Abby darts around the room, checking the corners, confused.

"I think we did it," I whisper, shoulders sinking in relief. "No more jump scares." I glance at Erik. "I think I might even miss them."

"That's okay. I can slam a door occasionally if it makes you feel better." He kisses the side of my head and brushes past me to the kitchen. "Come on, today calls for a hot chocolate."

"You have the best ideas." I trudge after him.

Abby has no interest. I played catch with her along the lakeshore before we went to the funeral, and apparently, it was enough for her to still be exhausted. Or, maybe it's the fact that Kieran let out Dick so the two of them could play together. Two dogs do a way better job tiring each other out than a human ever could.

When the hot chocolates are done, Erik doesn't hand me my mug. Instead, he nods toward my porch.

"Come on. Fall is almost ending. Let's enjoy it a little more outside. Grab your blanket."

Wordlessly, I pull it off my couch and drape it around my shoulders like a cape.