Page 90 of A Love Like Candle Light

"It’s okay. I’ll find a place." Zach hides a wide yawn behind his hand, staggering as he gets up. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have turned up here."

"Yeah. You shouldn't have," I agree, but I can't exactly be angry at him. We used to be a team for most of our lives. He probably came here more out of habit than actually missing me or thinking there might still be a chance for us.

"You know what? I have a guest room. Stay there, before you get into an accident because you fall asleep at the wheel."

"Kylie." Lauren hisses and smacks my arm.

"Can I finish?” I roll my eyes at her. Does she really think I’m having a slumber party with my ex? “I will be sleeping over at my boyfriend's tonight. In fact, I'm going to pack a bag go to his place right now."

"You don't need to-"

"Yes, I do." I shoot him the deadliest glare I can muster. "Erik's a good guy, and I'm sorry, but spending the night in the same house as my ex would be disrespectful as fuck. And I'm not jeopardizing my new relationship because of you."

"I understand."

"I'm sorry you're going through this, Zach. I really am. Make yourself at home, and we can talk more tomorrow morning. Okay?"

"Yes."

"Great." I call Abby and grab a can of her food from the pantry. Then I make my way up the stairs to my bedroom to throw together an overnight bag. When I return to my kitchen, it's to an icy silence.

"You know what? I'm not even going to ask. Come on, Lauren, Abby. Let's go. Sleep well, Zach."

"Thank you," he mumbles. Before I can question this whole thing anymore, I let Lauren lead me outside.

Chapter 31

Erik

Kylie's car is sitting in my driveway as I pull into it. Huh? I thought she wanted to come over later. Why is she already here?

Panic makes my blood run cold. Did something happen?

I jam the brakes, turn off the engine, and jump out to rush over to her car. Then I catch movement from the corner of my eye.

"Over here," she shouts softly and waves at me. Her and Abby have made themselves at home on the rocking chairs I have on my porch.

"Is everything okay?" I quickly stride over to her, worry gnawing at me. Especially once I notice her serious expression.

"Everything is fine." She clears her throat. "Only one teeny tiny little problem."

"What?" I search her face. "What is it?"

"My ex decided to pay me a visit." Before her words even make sense to me, she scrunches her nose, the exact same way she did when she told me about true crime gossip podcasts giving her the ick. It makes me let out a sigh of relief.

"Trust me, I have no idea why he thought it was a smart idea, but he got fired and got my new address from my mom. Apparently, all the hotels in the area are booked out because of the autumn fair in Kinstead, and he had nowhere to stay.” She shakes her head, annoyance radiating from her.

“Had I let him drive away, you would have gotten a call about an accident within ten minutes. He was dead on his feet and would have been a danger on the road. Really, you should be thankful I offered him my haunted guest room.”

“Why haunted guest room? Is it worse than the rest of the house?”

“Oh, you have no idea.” Her eyes sparkle with glee. “It’s my hobby-slash-guest-room, the one I’m avoiding because Elizabeth declared it hers.”

“You’re evil. I like it.” As long as she directs her powers towards her ex and not me.

“Anyway. I didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea about him staying at my place, least of all you." She beckons me closer and reaches for the hem of my shirt to twist it around her fingers. "So, I figured I’d surprise you and turn up early."

"Well, consider me surprised."