Page 77 of A Love Like Candle Light

"I’d love that." I open the car door for her. "Will you make your chicken pot pie? Pretty please?" I’ve been yearning for it ever since the weather has gotten colder.

She chuckles. "For you, anytime, sweetie." She puts her hand on my cheek and gives it a gentle tap. "Now go off. I see the way you keep staring at the park. Tell the pretty girl from the autumn fair ‘hi’ from me."

A grin tugs on my lips. Of course she’d notice. "Will do." I lean in and kiss her cheek. "Get home safely."

"Will do," she repeats teasingly and buckles herself in. "Next week, let’s say Thursday?” I nod. I have no idea what my calendar looks like but I’ll make the time if needed. “Great, that settles it. Same time as always, don't be late."

"I wouldn't dare." She starts the car and off she drives.

As soon as she's out of sight, I make my way across the street. It was a heavy conversation, nonetheless one I needed to have with her. Though I’m not sure if I’m feeling lighter because of it, or because Kylie is only a few more meters away.

As soon as Abby spots me, she sprints my way. I have to admit, the fact her dog likes me so much she greets me with enough fervor to make me stumble a few steps back is such an ego boost.

And the fact her owner likes me too? One of life’s jackpots, truly.

"Abby!" Kyle shouts and runs after her. Halfway through the square, she lifts her head, notices me and slows down. "Oh, Erik." Confusion on her face quickly makes way for the brightest smile. “Hi!”

The sound of Kylie's voice alone is enough to calm the storm inside my mind. All the conflicting emotions about finding Lilith, the guilt gnawing at the periphery of my mind at all times, crime statistics, worry, they fall silent the moment she says my name.

"Hi, babe." For a moment she stares at me, tilting her head. Then, without a word, she walks into me and snakes her arms around my middle, as if she knows something is wrong. Just like that, the remaining weight on my shoulders lifts off.

I bury my nose in her hair, close my eyes and take a deep breath. Her scent reminds me of late nights, the warm milk with honey aunt Molly always says ‘soothes minds.’ I already feel so much better.

"Thanks. I needed that," I mumble and hug her a little tighter before I let her go.

"Is everything okay?" A worried crease appears between her eyebrows, and I can't help but lean in and try to kiss it away.

"I’m okay,” I mumble, my face only a breath away from hers. “Only some emotions all over the place."

"Oh." She breaks the hug, taking a step back, her face falling.

"Not about you," I quickly clarify and grab her hand to lace my fingers with hers and pull her closer again. Then I lift and press a kiss to the back of it. "About Lilith."

"Oh," she whispers again, but this time, she sounds relieved. Her shoulders sag, visibly relaxing. "I'm sorry, Erik. That sucks. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"A hug," I confess and gulp. "I'm pretty sure another hug would do the trick."

"Okay, well, don't twist my arm." She pulls her hand out of mine and snakes her arms around my again, under my jacket, her cheek resting right over my heart. "Is this okay?"

"This is perfect," I mumble and fold my arms around her too while Abby darts all around us chasing golden leaves, flying around the main square park.

Chapter 26

Kylie

"Well, say hi to the hubs for me and have a good evening," I tell Gabriella, eyes darting to the clock in my kitchen, right behind my laptop camera. Its about to hit six o’clock and I don’t have more than my usual eight hours of work in me.

"You too, babes." She beams into her laptop camera and gives me a little finger wave. "Bye. Don’t let the clients’ bitching keep you up at night."

I end the call and my screen goes back to the campaign concept I was working on before Gabriella called me for a round of gossip, or as she calls it ‘team bonding.’ It was a welcome distraction because my client is… a little over-involved with too little expertise to have an opinion, but stubborn as a mule. I was barely a second away from chucking my laptop against the closest wall when his last e-mail came in, and with it the demand to throw all of my work and start from scratch.

Maybe I should have thrown it. I could have scared my ghost for once.

With a sigh, I close my laptop and lean my forehead against the cold wooden surface of my desk. Rain drums against my window and the branches of the maple tree in front of my house rustle in the wind.

The e-mail of doom hit my inbox on top of a day filled with meetings and other deadlines so I’m happy to sign out for the day. I’ll throw some dinner into the microwave, watch the newest true crime documentation on my streaming platform of choice and cozy up with a blanket for the rest of the evening.

Ah right. And I’ll go on a short walk with Abby. Out into the cold, windy, pitch-black night. By the time we get back I’ll really deserve a nice hot chocolate. Spiked. And cookies.