Page 83 of A Love Like Candle Light

“No, you’re not,” she declares and reaches for his hand. He goes rigid as soon as her fingers close around his wrist.

“You are worried,” she declares, prying his fingers open from his palm. “You have a strong soul, my friend.” She traces a line in his palm. All of a sudden, she starts to laugh and lets him go. “I’m just kidding. I can’t read palms.”

Kieran lets out a relieved sigh, so deep he almost extinguishes the candle in the middle of the table.

“But I can sense it.” She leans closer, eyes drilling into his face. “You are yearning. There is a sadness deep within you that you think can be fixed with love. But it’s not the kind of love you are thinking about.” She draws back, a sad smile playing at her lips and I gulp. This doesn’t feel like a conversation I should be part of. “Embrace the love you have and the love you receive. You will find the world a much happier place if you approach it without any expectations. The rest will come to you.”

“Okay,” he finally whispers, after taking a few moments to grapple with her words. “Now tell us something about her.”

“Hey,” I object weakly.

A part of me is curious. Another part is just thinking, ‘Burn, Kieran. She got you,’ and is afraid to experience the same. However, he’s uneasy. Wriggling in his seat, fiddling with the hem of his shirt and a muscle in his jaw twitches. I’ve never seen him this wired, apart from our ghost conversation, so I’ll allow it.

“She is aware,” Amanda declares with a nod. “I couldn’t tell her anything new. Your doubts are unfounded, Kylie. However, I fear your past is not quite as over as it led you to believe. But honesty and staying true to yourself will close the door for good, I hope.”

My heart sinks. Especially combined with Zach’s call, her words make my stomach tingle with unease and unwanted anticipation.

“The future has good in store for you two. Embrace it.” She leans back, her chair creaking and lets her eyes wander over us, eyes narrowing, expression locked in, as if she’s trying to solve a puzzle. “This is all I have for you.”

Oh thank the universe. A part of me was bracing itself for more uncomfortable truths.

“Thank you, Amanda,” Kieran mumbles and gets up. I follow suit.

“You are very welcome. Make sure to tell me how it goes.” She stares at me, so intently I can’t help but nod.

“I will.” We leave the disapproving stares behind and Kieran holds the thick curtain to the showroom aside for me.

“Kylie.” I stop and slowly turn around to her. “Let her read Nicholas’ letter.” My eyes widen. How the hell does she know about the letter? Only Erik and I know about it. Nobody else could have told her.

“Okay.” I nod, scurry away to check out some antiquities with Kieran.

When Abby and I return, the house is eerily quiet. I can’t put my finger on it, but the silence feels heavier than usual.

“Elizabeth?” I whisper.

The light in my living room turns on.

My heart beats in my throat. I’m not sure whether to be relieved or freaked out. Her clearly admitting to her name is sending a shiver of fear down my spine.

“I have a letter for you to read. It’s from Nicholas.” I pull the journal out of my backpack and put it on my kitchen table. The envelope is caught between two pages. I take it out, unfold the gilded paper, and lay it flat down for her to read.

Then I bring Abby upstairs with me. If I were left such a letter, I’d want my privacy.

I feel like an idiot. What if I’m making all of this up in my head and have been talking to an empty room and some kind of electric bug in my house?

But as the door to my bedroom clicks closed behind me, I could almost swear I hear a sob, ever so softly.

Chapter 28

Erik

Erik: Are you busy?

I stare at my phone, waiting for Kylie to reply. It only takes a minute until the three dots appear, indicating she’s typing.

Kylie: Not particularly.

Erik: Fantastic. I’ll be there in 15.