Page 66 of A Love Like Candle Light

I check my watch. 4:30 p.m. No time to drown in self-pity or question if I can afford to get my hopes up and my heart broken again. One more deep breath, then I get out of the car and make my way inside.

Entering the diner is like going back in time 50 years. It has a black and white checkered floor, cherry-red seats, and the nostalgic vibe of the ’70s in the air.

“Welcome.” A small blonde woman shouts from behind the counter. “Take a seat, handsome. I’ll be right with you.”

“Thanks,” I mumble and slide into an unoccupied booth. Cho never specified who exactly I should be looking for. The booth on my far right is occupied by a family, but the mother is a redhead, and a natural-looking one at that. I squint, trying to see her better.

“Hey there.” A blue checkered dress uniform blocks my sight. “I’m Lily, your server today. What can I get you?”

“A coffee, please,” I press out, staring at the name tag on her apron. Question answered. This has to be the woman he wanted me to see.

“Coming right up.” Once she turns around can I breathe again.

Lily.

Only now she’s focusing elsewhere, do I dare look at her face. She’s got brown hair, and is about the right age. My breath catches in my throat, and I hide a cough behind my hand. She has a similar round face to the aged-up sketch I have of Lilith.

When she returns with my coffee, I take a closer look at her face. The same eye color. Freckles.

But no scar.

My shoulders sink in disappointment and emotions clog my throat. Fuck.

“Is there anything else I can get you?”

“No, that will be it.” I take a sip of my coffee. It’s good. Not as good as Caleb’s, but I’ve had worse.

“Are you sure? We’re famous for our apple pie.” I stare at her. She seems nice. And it’s not her fault she’s not who I’m looking for.

“Okay, sure,” I give in. I mean, I came all this way. A piece of apple pie to soothe my shattered hopes can’t hurt, right?

“Coming right up, sweetie.”

As soon as she turns around, I pull out my phone to let Cho know.

Erik: Not her.

Only seconds later, my phone buzzes with his answer.

Cho: Damn. I’m sorry, bro. I really thought we got her this time.

Erik: No worries, man. We’ll find her.

I put my phone on the table screen-down right as Lily returns to my table, balancing several plates.

“Here you go, sweetie.” She sets a smaller one on the table.

“Thank you.”

I take a bite and close my eyes. At least this an apple pie worthy of being famous for. But great pie one way or another, it doesn’t change the fact I drove all the way out here, only for any hope to shatter.

And I’m not sure how often I can glue it back together anymore.

Chapter 23

Kylie

Erik’s car is already in his driveway as I pull into it. He sounded a little off on the phone when he told me he was on his way back, so I made a quick stop at the supermarket for a bunch of comfort food. Namely ice cream, chocolate, crisps, and grilled cheese ingredients that could last us for a week.