Page 126 of A Love Like Candle Light

“Molly.” She bypasses my hand and pulls me into a hug instead, just like his dad. Not one of those ‘pretend’ hugs that are the equivalent to kissing the air next to the cheek of the person you’re greeting, but a full on, tight hug. “None of that, we’re a hugger family.”

Once the surprise wears off, I chuckle and shoot Erik a glance as I tentatively hug her back. Are they? Because I don’t think I’ve ever seen him hug anyone except me. Or Abby.

“Sorry, sorry.” She lets go of me. “I got excited. It’s so good to meet you, Kylie. I’ve heard so much about you. Thank you so much for helping Erik find Lilith.”

“Likewise. And thank you again for your pizza rolls, they were delicious.”

“Well, good thing I brought a tray as my contribution to Thanksgiving dinner.” She nods toward Erik’s car. “I’m glad I left them in there, or your dog would have tried to eat them off the ground. She’s a stormy little creature.”

“What can I say?” I shrug. “If she were human, she’d also be a hugger.” I giggle and lean down to give Abby a few well-deserved pets. I grab the pumpkin pie I made for dessert, but Erik swiftly takes it from my hands.

Molly links her arm with mine and motions for Erik to go back to his car.

“Erik, be a dear and get on driving, Kylie and I will find the way. We have a lot to chat about.”

Nic’s driveway is filled with a surprising number of cars, considering how many guests live within walking distance. I recognize one of them as Caleb’s, and the other one must be Henry’s car, or his parents’. Erik has somehow managed to wedge his car between them and is leaning against the hood, the tray with rolls and my pumpkin pie secure from Abby on its roof.

Even though my anxiety was almost paralyzing right before I first met Molly, she made it evaporate by the time we reached the lake shore.

Anthony wasn’t wrong, Molly has the best stories about Erik as a child. I know so much more about him now. Like the fact he used to be obsessed with fire engines as a child. So much so, he painted himself red with Molly’s makeup when she wasn’t looking.

Erik’s arm slides around my waist as if it has always belonged there, as we make our way to Nic’s front door, Molly carrying her tray, Erik carrying my pie and Abby weaseling around our feet. A flurry of muffled voices behind it tells me, the party is in full swing.

“There you are!” Lauren pulls the door open before I can even ring the doorbell and ushers us inside. “Come on in, come on in. You guys are the last to arrive.” Abby already trudges past her, taking it as her personal invitation.

A timer goes off in the kitchen, although it sounds more like a tornado alarm.

“And the turkey’s done! You have the perfect timing.” Lauren brushes past us to the kitchen and Nic emerges from her living room.

“Can I help?” I ask, hand Erik my jacket and follow her to the kitchen, pie in hand.

“Nope,” Nic declares and pulls the oven door open, coughing as a waft of hot steam greets her. “Oh shit!” She curses and jumps back.

Her kitchen might be huge, but with Lauren and me in here, it’s getting a little cramped. I set the pie down next to the others.

“I got it.” Henry appears from out of nowhere and shoos us away. “Get out of here. I need the space to carry this beast.” I know Kieran would have the perfect comeback for that, but I don’t.

So, I follow Lauren to the living room. It’s huge. Way bigger than mine. My house might be on the bigger side, but Nic’s? Next level. Yet even with all that space, it’s a crowded in here.

Caleb sits on the couch, chatting with who I assume to be Henry’s parents, a lovely couple who I’d guess to be in their late fifties. They’re holding hands and smiling as they intently listen to Caleb.

He looks as if he can’t decide between awkwardness and letting himself relax. His shoulders are tense, but nonetheless he leans over and talks more than I think I’ve ever heard him speak at once. They note Erik and Molly coming inside with a smile and only once Caleb is done with his rant, they jump up to greet them like old friends.

Huh. Come to think of it, maybe they are. I never asked.

Kieran lays on the ground by Nic’s huge window front facing the lake, his head resting on Dick, petting Shadow lying next to him and an orange cat climbs all over him. Now Abby is looking to join the cuddle pile.

“Kylie! When did you arrive?” Kieran gets up way more elegantly than I’d thought, considering the feline still in his arms. But he cuddles the cat to his chest and with two long strides, he’s walks… right past me? Rude.

“Hi. I’m Kieran,” he introduces himself to Molly with a charming smile.

“Your reputation precedes you.” She smiles and shakes his hand. “I’m Molly. It’s so good to finally meet you.”

“Likewise.” His eyes drop to the tray she’s holding. “What did you bring?” He tries to take a peek under the towel she’s got over the tray. Erik appears next to me, arm snaking around my hip as he watches Molly take it off for him.

“Oh damn.” Kieran’s eyes widen. “Those look amazing. Caleb, you need to look at this!”

But before Caleb can even get up, Lauren shouts from the kitchen: “Caleb, we need your help!” Her voice sounds is shrill with panic.