Page 89 of A Love Like Candle Light

"I got fired," he admits. My hand stops halfway to my cupboard and I turn to him in slow motion.

"I'm sorry to hear that." The corner of Lauren's mouth twitches. I subtly nudge her with my elbow. This is not the time for glee. "It doesn't quite explain why you're here, though."

"Because once I got home to an empty house, I realized there's nobody left." He buries his face in his hands.

"What about Brad and his wife? Or George?" His two buddies from college he used to keep in sporadic contact with.

"They didn't take my calls." He shakes his head. "Apparently they had children and I never even fucking knew."

"You should have, though. I told you. Even left the baby shower invitation out for you to see."

"Right." He shoots me a sleepy smile as I hand him a cup of coffee, only a teaspoon of sugar in it, the way he likes it. And I'm so annoyed at myself for still remembering these little things about him. How he takes his coffee. Even the way he closes his hands around the mug is familiar.

"How did you know my address?" I cross my arms in front of my chest and lean my back against my kitchen counter. Lauren does the same, watching our interaction with interest. She’s only missing a notepad and pen, the way she attentively soaks in every word, without a doubt to relay them to Nic and Kieran later.

"Your mom told me."

I pinch the bridge of my nose. Of course she did. This meddling woman.

"I'm sorry. My life is falling apart and I just..." He carefully sets down the mug and takes a deep breath.

"Did you get a hotel here or what?"

His eyes widen. "Erm, I..." He stammers, eyes darting around the kitchen, not daring to meet mine. Clearly, he didn’t.

"I'll call Andrea," Lauren declares and walks away, into the hallway, leaving Zach and me alone. Awkwardness settles, turning the air thick and the silence into the loudest one I’ve ever experienced.

"I'm so sorry," Zach finally mumbles, staring at the table. "I know I said it back then, but..." He shakes his head. "I thought I was setting us up for the future. Instead I let those asshats take advantage of me. And now what do I have?" A teary laugh escapes him.

"Well, you've got a bunch of money for starters," I point out. "Take a vacation and a few months to relax. I promise, life will look better once you're rested."

He stares at me, his eyes softening.

"No," I say sternly and shake my head. "Get that thought out of your head right this second."

"I didn't even say anything."

"You didn't need to." I need to let out all this anxiety, so I start pacing my kitchen. "I'm not sure you could say the same, but I can tell what you're thinking. And no, we are not getting back together."

"I figured." He shrugs and rubs his blood-shot eyes. "But hope dies last."

"Well, kill it," I declare. Then I remember I can do it myself. "I have a boyfriend."

As much as he tries to hide it, I see his shoulders sag in disappointment.

Meanwhile I’m freaking out. ‘Boyfriend.’ It’s the first time I’ve called Erik my boyfriend out loud. And I really fucking love it.

"Of course you do." He clears his throat. "Does he treat you well?"

I don't know why, but hearing this question from him sends a knife through my heart. Then it sends a surge of hot anger through me. Now he cares about me being treated well?

"Yeah," I say with a firm nod. "He treats me well. Fantastic, actually"

"Good. That's good," he mumbles to the table. "I know you probably don't have much love left for me, but I truly wish you the best."

"Welp. No more hotel rooms available." Lauren waltzes back in, pushing her phone into her jeans pocket. "Apparently, this weekend is the autumn fair in Kinstead. Everything is booked out."

"Of course it is." I let out a deep sigh. Hotels in this area and I are not becoming friends.