Page 41 of Charmed and Alarmed

Yeah, because, just like her, I am busy banging my boss.

I take a long drink, finishing the glass. “I’m fine. How’s living with Bram Cracker going? Are you going to want your bedroom back any time soon?”

A pink flush crawls up Sophie’s neck, and she studies her latest mini egg roll with a little too much interest. “Probably not,” she admits at last. “I’ve learned how he likes the Tupperware stacked, so the last big point of contention has been settled.”

I snort. “I forgot he’s weird about that.”

“He’s weird about lots of things.” She lets out a dreamy sigh and props her chin on her hand to better facilitate gazing across the room at my father, who is talking to a cousin.

For my own sanity, I choose to overlook that comment and not think it’s sex related.

“Hey, guys!” Honor has escaped the clutches of our aunt and is approaching, her smile radiant. “How is everything?”

“Terrible,” I report promptly, holding up an egg roll for her to see. “Look at this thing. Half the size of a normal egg roll. You should complain.”

Sophie nods in agreement. “We have to eat two just to get the normal egg roll experience, and probably another to help with the trauma.”

Honor isn’t fazed, leaning against the table across from us. “I would argue that the crunchy end parts are the best, so you’re getting twice the enjoyment. Three times, if you count Sophie’s trauma tax.”

“I’ll see you in court, ma’am.” I take another drink and almost choke on it as my heart shoots into my throat. Over my sister’s shoulder, Holden is entering the room. He’s dressed all in black, his pale hair combed back, and his usual careless smirk in place. I watch as his bright eyes scan the room, clearly searching for someone, and come to rest right on me.

“Len?” I blink, looking around at Honor and Sophie, both of whom are staring at me, bemused. Almost in slow motion, both of them turn to look at what caught my attention, and when they look back at me, they’re wearing identical, shocked expressions.

Uh oh.

Honor recovers first. “Um.” She glances over her shoulder again, toward where Holden has now fallen into conversation with Julian. “Were you just checking out Holden?”

“Nope.”

“You were!” giggles Sophie, who is now polishing off a second flute of champagne and has lost whatever semblance of chill she ever possessed. “Do you have a crush, Lenora?”

“Shut up.” I push off the table and hiss as pain shoots up my leg and into my spine. I lift off it immediately, clinging to the edge of the table, expecting it to fade. It doesn’t, though, and my stomach churns with a sudden burst of nausea.

In the corner of my eye, Honor and Sophie seem to register something is wrong. “Are you okay?” my sister demands, at my side in an instant, her eyes wide. I have to bite my tongue to keep myself from crying out as I let the limb drop a quarter of an inch and am rewarded by another burst of agony.

What the fuck?

What the everloving fucking fuck?

“I’m fine. Seriously. It just needs a second,” I grit out, trying not to panic.

My surgeon warned me after my second surgery that I was at a greater risk for another tendon rupture, butthat’s not what this is. It isn’t. I’ll be fine if I just have one more second to stand here—“Leni.” Holden is at my side, blocking me from the view of the other guests except my sister and Sophie. He doesn’t ask if I’m okay or what he can do to help. As I look up at him, my chest burning with grief and denial that is just as intense as the pain I’m in, he seems to know. “Come here.”

Apparently not giving a damn that we’re in a room full of people, he lifts me into his arms, apologizing under his breath as I make a muffled sob of pain at the unexpected movement, looping my arms around his neck.

“I’m taking her to the emergency room,” Holden informs someone, probably my sister, before turning toward the door. We don’t make it far, though, before my father intercepts us.

“What’s going on?”

“My leg.” I manage an apologetic smile, even as my eyes burn with unshed tears. “Holden is going to take me to the hospital. I’ll call you when I know more.”

Dad’s eyes flick to his partner, then back to me, then back again. His jaw hardens. “I’ll take you.”

“Dad, it’s Honor’s engagement party. You need to be here,” I remind him, mortified as people begin to murmur around us. “I promise, I’ll let you know when I talk to the doctor. There’s nothing you can do by coming with me, though.”

Holden nods, and I can tell by the tension in his body that he’s barely holding it together. “I’ve got her, Bram.”

He doesn’t wait for Dad to respond. Without another word, he sweeps me from the room, striding back through the restaurant lobby and out into the parking lot.

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