Page 29 of Highballs & Hexes

“Because sometimes I think I’m still Loman’s prisoner, and you’re a figment of my imagination, too,” he said hoarsely. “That I’m standing here, conversing with an empty room, trying to hang on to the last of my sanity.”

“Oh, Patrick.” Tenderness swamped her, and she reached for him. When he hesitated to return her hug, Fi squeezed her eyes shut and held on, taking comfort when he relaxed into her embrace and offering whatever solace she could.

“I’m sorry I held back, love. I had to work through what my senses were telling me before I acknowledged that reality.”

She drew back and cupped his face, applying a light pressure with her nails.

“Feel that?” When he nodded, she did, too. “It’s real.I’mreal. If you ever question it, I’ll help ground you.”

Tears shimmered in his incredible eyes, making the jeweled tone brighter before he rapidly blinked them away. He covered her hands, shifting one to his lips and kissing her knuckles.

Fi understood what it was to be overcome with emotion, to be unable to speak for fear of regurgitating all her feelings all over the person with her. There had been many instances where she’d barely contained herself. Patrick didn’t need to tell her what was in his heart when she could clearly see it for herself.

“We should probably clean this mess up.” She knelt next to the food and began piling the dishes, hoping to allow him time to gather himself. It’s what she’d need if the situation were reversed.

Squatting next to her, Patrick stilled her hands. “I’ve got this.”

With a wave, it was gone. Their meal, the plates, the silverware, and the napkins. All of it! Even the buttons she’d scattered about the room were back on his shirt as if they’d never been ripped off.

Fi froze in place with her heart thundering in her chest.

He’d used magic without it backfiring! Effortlessly!

CHAPTER 13

This chapter has been omitted as per T.M.’s time-honored tradition. You’re encouraged to jump up, stretch a little, and perhaps grab snacks for the next half of this story. Also, now’s a great time to consider whether or not you’d like another installment of The Unlucky Charms after this one. Be sure to continue reading when the story is concluded to find the link and vote yay or nay.

CHAPTER 14

Patrick had screwed up. Somehow, in some small way, he’d triggered Fionola, but he’d be buggered if he could recall exactly what he’d said or done. Whenever he approached her, she would tense up and move away. At times, subtly. At others, not so much. Seeing her closed off to him created a tightness in his chest that refused to ease.

To afford her as much space as possible, he’d let her have the bed and had settled in his usual spot in the far back corner of the room, away from the light. The coward in him didn’t dare ask, but the tension was growing thicker by the minute, and he felt a driving need to clear the air.

If only to breathe freely again.

“What is it you think I’ve done, love?” he asked from his comfort zone.

Whenever Loman walked the aisles and taunted his victims, Patrick had shifted into the shadows to hide his instinctive reaction. The hatred he’d felt for the man was always plain for all to see, and it gave that gobshite too much pleasure to witness it. To deny his enemy the satisfaction, Patrick learned to lurk in the darkness.

Old habits died hard.

“Nothing.” Fi’s chin was raised in defiance, but her eyes were wary, as if she suspected him of nefarious activity. She’d monitored his every movement from the moment their kiss was interrupted.

“Sure, and normally I’d let that stick, but we all know when a woman says ‘nothing’ in that tone, it’s something,” he teased.

Her head whipped in his direction, and a storm cloud settled on her features.

Ah, fuck! Sure, and he’d stepped in shite now!

Patrick sighed, prepared to take whatever lumps she intended to dole out. That’s what he got for being a eejit in the face of her anger.

“Your magic worked!” she shouted, sounding accusing.

“Wha—” His jaw dropped as the realization she was right sunk in.

Gobsmacked, he surveyed the room. Not a single spec of food or dirt to be found!

Meeting her salty stare, he shook his head. “I didn’t know, Fi. It never occurred to me that it had. I’m sorry.”

---