Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Two
S irena stood in the middle of Night Sky, holding her phone and staring at her last text. Did you just tell Gus you love him? Sirena studied the ghostly and ghoulish decorations around the bistro to keep herself from freaking out. The black-and-orange pom-pom garland hung over the treat counter. Vintage postcards were taped up against the wall. She noticed a smiling magician on one of the postcards and groaned. Now she was officially freaking out.
You just told Gus you loved him—on his birthday—on Halloween.
Sirena dropped her phone in her apron, her face feeling numb.
Where the heck did that come from? She shook her head, trying to understand why she just told her fine-as-hell magician friend and sometime hookup that she loved him. Her hand yanked at her Night Sky shirt, which was suddenly feeling too tight.
“Hey, Si,” Beckett said. “Can you take out the trash for me? I’m busy.”
She rubbed her sweaty palms on her jeans, trying to dry them. “Um, sure.”
You’re taking out the trash and you love Gus.
It had just popped out. She’d been so charmed by his words and his confidence that she’d get the job that she just texted it. Her heart hijacked her thumbs and she texted him that?! Sirena walked through the kitchen, scooped up the trash, and went out the back door. The sour aroma of trash hit her nose, but she pushed through because she—oh, that’s right—had told Gus she loved him.
He hadn’t responded. Yet. She lifted the trash can lid.
A clown wearing a rainbow wig and rubber teeth popped out at her.
“Trick or treat!” it cackled.
Damn it, she forgot about the stupid clown! Don’t punch the clown. Run away. Sirena dropped the trash at her feet and tried to pivot away, but her leg caught the edge of the can. She twisted and fell awkwardly on her wrist. A blast of searing pain shot up her arm.
Sirena yelled out, then cradled her hand to her chest. No. Not her wrist.
The clown jumped out of the trash. “Oh, man. Y’all come out! I think she’s really hurt.”
A two-man camera crew ran out from their hiding spots. Beckett popped out from behind the trash can, holding his phone. “Yo, Si. Are you okay?”
Sirena ignored him and focused on her wrist. She tried to flex it, but it hurt too much to move. She hissed. No, please. I’m so close to getting what I need. There was a commotion and a flurry of activity. Gwen, her boss, rushed outside and approached Sirena. Fury shone in her eyes as she surveyed the situation, then looked at Beckett.
“Someone starts talking, or I’m firing someone today,” she barked.
While Gwen went toe-to-toe with a cameraman for filming her without permission, Sirena dully sat on the ground. Defeat squeezed her sides. She was so freaking close to changing her fate, but it wasn’t possible. If her wrist was broken, she’d struggle to keep up with the demands of running a professional kitchen. It wouldn’t be impossible, but it would be hard as hell to cook the way she wanted while she was healing. Sirena noticed that Beckett didn’t look in her direction.
“I need to go to the hospital,” Sirena said loudly. “Please.”
Gwen dropped down to her knees. “Okay. Who can I call to meet you there?”
Call Gus , a part of her requested. No. It was his birthday. She’d explain to him later what happened, but she’d handle this emergency on her own. He wasn’t her boyfriend; he was just a guy she really, really liked. Not loved. It was too soon for love, or that’s what she had to tell herself.
“Can you call Callie for me?” she said eventually.
The local emergency room was packed because apparently it was the season for pumpkin-carving accidents, tripping over scary lawn decorations, and random troll fights. Sirena sat between a masked superhero with a bandaged hand and a flannel-clad homeowner with an elevated knee. Callie sat with her until her name was called. The doctor clucked at Sirena about avoiding clowns. According to the X-ray, her wrist was indeed broken and would heal in six to twelve weeks.
She was given a half cast and a prescription for pain medicine. By the time Sirena was on her way home from the pharmacy with her filled prescription and discounted candy, the sky was quickly darkening. The orange streetlights were flickering on, giving the Grove an eerie autumn glow. She rolled down the window with the automatic button, letting the cool breeze flow through the car. As Callie drove them home, Sirena watched the trick-or-treaters skipping from house to house, swinging their candy bags, weighed down with loot. She held the discharge papers in her uninjured hand, thanking her lucky stars that she had managed to get health insurance through her job at Night Sky Bistro.
Sirena rested in the passenger seat. “I’m sorry you have to babysit me on Halloween.”
Callie made a face. “Don’t worry about it. I’m just glad that you’re okay.”
Callie’s phone vibrated on the dashboard. She clicked her tongue but didn’t answer it.
Sirena pointed to the phone. “Who’s calling you now?”
The phone vibrated again; Callie didn’t answer it. She checked the screen quickly and sighed. “That would be Gigi. I didn’t want to take the call in the ER. I sent her a text explaining what happened, but I don’t think she got it. I’ll call her when we get home.”
Sirena’s stomach twisted. “I’m ruining your Halloween.”
Callie shook her head. “Eh, I woke up on the wrong side of the broom this morning. I thought if I had all the decorations, the frills, and the food, I’d get in the scary mood.”
“Let me guess. It didn’t work?”
A look of exhaustion passed over Callie’s pretty features. “I was trying to hype myself up, but I’ve been getting requests for me to plan Christmas parties! Like, can’t a witch get a break? I’m trying to get my bride down the aisle. Gigi might go with Enchanted Events if I don’t step up my game.”
Sirena tilted her head and watched her little sister. Callie was busting her behind trying to get her event planning business off the ground, but she still found time to take care of her.
“I’ll celebrate Halloween tomorrow in November,” Callie said, giving her a sad smile.
That’s right. The spell would probably send her right back to the start of October.
Sirena clutched her medicine bag in her fingers. “I don’t want to get in the way of your hustle. You can still go meet her for dinner. It’s only six o’clock.”
Her eyes went to the time on the dashboard. Gus’s party was in full swing by now. She had texted him what happened at the bistro, and he’d asked if there was anything he could do for her. She downplayed her injury, not wanting to spoil his evening. A twinge went through her heart that felt a little like regret.
Callie shrugged. “I’ll get in contact with Gigi when we get home. The doctor said that you need to be observed for any pain. We’ve got to make sure you’re okay for the next day or so… Get ready to listen to Studio Ghibli soundtracks.”
“We can watch horror films,” Sirena offered.
Callie stuck out her tongue. “Nah. Let’s watch Hocus Pocus . You know you’ve always had a crush on the zombie. I’ll order pizza bones from Rapunzel’s.”
“We’ll have a great time,” Sirena said.
Callie pulled up and parked in front of the house. Sirena glanced across the street, where Lucy and Alex’s cottage was illuminated with jack-o’-lanterns and bales of hay. A steady thumping of music came from their home, and guests were coming in and out of the party.
“Someone wants to win the Best Block Decoration,” she said.
Sirena and Callie exited the car. Callie took her by the shoulder and led her up the stairs. Her legs were a little wobbly from having to lie down in a makeshift bed in the ER. They paused when they noticed the tuxedoed man sitting on the top step of their porch.
“Who ordered the magician?” Callie joked.
Gus straightened and stood as they approached, holding a bouquet of white and orange daisies. “Good evening.”
His eyes roamed over Sirena in a protective way. He lingered briefly on her hurt arm, then met her stare. “I wanted to see if you’re okay.”
Callie let out a small “Aw.”
Gus presented her with the bouquet. Sirena fidgeted uncomfortably under his attention. She wasn’t used to being babied over by anyone outside of her family.
Sirena took the flowers, cradling them in the crook of her arm with her medicine. “I’m fine, for the most part. Doctor says I have six weeks in the half cast, then I can switch to a soft cast for the next six weeks.”
“I wish you had called me,” he said.
Her heart fluttered a bit, but her head pounded. She should have checked in with him earlier, but she didn’t know how to face him after… she texted him what she texted.
Callie’s phone went off, interrupting their moment. She glanced at her screen and winced. “Sorry, Si. Gus. Excuse me.”
Callie turned away from Gus and Sirena, giving them some privacy.
“It’s your birthday. You should be out having a good time.”
He graced her with a buccaneer smile, sly and cunning, as if he just found a treasure chest. “I’m right where I need to be.”
Gus lowered his voice. “I’m not leaving without you. I won’t be able to sleep knowing you’re in pain. Come home with me. I’ll keep you in my bed and feed you birthday cake.”
“Or you can come upstairs with me, and we can watch some movies,” she said.
Gus took a step forward. “You sure I can’t tempt you?”
“You can try,” she said automatically. His eyes grew tender. There was a hint of longing in his eyes. Did he want to talk about the text? Sirena opened her mouth to ask, but an angry screech from Callie pierced the air.
She spoke in a quick, frantic rush. “Si! I’ve got to go. Gigi called.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Gigi’s bridesmaid hid her wedding dress somewhere under the boardwalk. I’ve got to keep Gigi from turning her bridesmaid into a cat! But I don’t feel comfortable leaving you alone,” Callie said hesitantly.
Gus jumped in. “I’ll keep her company, if that’s okay with Sirena.”
Guilt reverberated through Sirena’s chest at his offer. “It’s your birthday.”
“I’m right where I want to be,” he repeated. Gus placed a hand on her shoulder, steadying her to his side. Sirena let herself lean on him. The guilt faded and was replaced with another sweeter and better emotion.
“Thank you, Gus! I’ll be back soon.” Callie blew Sirena a kiss and waved. She ran down the stairs and jumped into her car.
Gus reached over and brushed a loose braid from her face. Her skin fizzled under his gentle, careful touch. “I guess you’re coming home with me.”