When Tyler opened the door for me, the mixed aromas of fruits, vanilla, and flowers wafted out. I picked up a purple candle from one of the front tables and breathed in the scent.

“Mmmm, passion flower,” I said.

“Let me smell.” Tyler tilted his head forward, and I held the candle up. “You like candles?” he asked.

“Love them.” I made my way to the next table filled with candy cane and poinsettia candles. “They smell so good, and they have this…” I paused, looking for the right word. I didn’t want to say romantic.
“—calming effect with their flames. I can’t help but buy some every time I see them.” I laughed at myself.

“Me, too!” Tyler said as if he had just learned that we knew each other in a former life. “My wife thinks I’m crazy, but I just love them. I always…” He didn’t finish his sentence.

My hand had frozen in mid-reach for a pink night-blooming jasmine candle when he said the word wife, and now the silence reminded me to try to act casual about it. I knew he was married. Why was this such a big deal?

I tried to laugh, but it came out high pitched and fake. “I know what you mean.” I flitted to the next table. “My ex told me all the time that I was too frivolous, that candles just stunk up the apartment.”

When I glanced back at Tyler, he was nodding his head slightly, as if he were talking to himself but no words were coming out, just nods.

“Well, I’m going to buy these,” I said, holding up a set of pine, poinsettia, and tea candles. “Then we better get to class.”