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Celia’s hand with the ring rose before freezing, as if it had nowhere to go.
Malcolm released her other hand, knowing what she needed to do in order to settle.
Her fingers played with the rubber band on her wrist, though the action didn’t reduce the tension in her shoulders like it usually did. “I was a little lightheaded. You made me sit.”
“Yeah, I did.” Malcolm had known she was much too pale. He wanted to kick himself for not making her rest sooner. “But you stood up and then collapsed.”
“I passed out?” Celia’s frown deepened.
“Celia?” Trenton asked. The curtain flapped behind him as he rushed through. Part of his panic faded when he realized she was awake and aware. He leaned over her, placing a kiss on her forehead.
“Here,” Malcolm said, vacating the seat beside her for his friend to take.
Trenton was normally a pretty put-together guy. He’d left his suit jacket behind when he’d rushed out of the office, though, and his hair was messy from running his hands through it. Those hands settled over Celia’s, clasping them gently. “You’re okay,” he reassured her.
Celia shook her head. “Obviously not.” Her lips trembled before she pressed them together. “I’m not sure why I felt so dizzy. I drank the smoothie.”
“That was this morning,” Trenton said in a gentler way than Malcolm would have.
Trenton had been helping Malcolm double-team her lately. Celia had grown up with so much anxiety that she’d struggled to realize when she was hungry. Over the last couple of months, she’d gained ten pounds, and the extra weight had looked healthier on her. It helped that she worked in Malcolm’s tavern, where he’d started adding foods to the menu that she found easier to eat.
“Having Malcolm rag me is more than enough. I was about to eat.” Celia got that stubborn look Malcolm hadn’t seen in a while.
“She’d been pale. I was thinking she caught a bug,” Malcolm said. He had no idea what to do with his hands now that he’d stood. Neither Trenton nor Celia looked his way. It was no surprise they only had eyes for each other.
Malcolm was happy for Celia. She deserved a bit of joy. He wanted to make sure she got to keep it.
The curtain behind him flicked open as an ER nurse stepped in. The man smiled at Celia. “Oh, good, Ms. Griffin is awake.” He shifted around Malcolm, a bag of clear liquid in his hand, tubes hanging from it. “The doctor ordered fluids. Bear with me as I set up the IV.” He hung the bag on the metal stand behind her.
Celia’s hands jerked within Trenton’s. “Can’t I just drink more water?”
“As I said, doctor’s orders.” The nurse turned, waiting for Trenton to release her before he took her arm. “Don’t worry. Most patients tell me I’m really good at this.”
Celia’s arms looked especially skinny once the IV line was attached. Malcolm’s hands clenched, and he pressed them against his jeans. Getting angry at people that weren’t even in his cousin’s life anymore was a waste of time. Even so, knowing that didn’t take away his urge to hit someone.
The nurse patted Celia’s arm. “Very brave. Now, the doctor is looking at the tests we’ve done and should be with you shortly.” He smiled before slipping back out.
Malcolm was always trying to ply her with more water, but didn’t think she needed any more hounding at the moment.
Celia’s lips shifted into that little pout she so rarely showed. “I did drink it,” she insisted.
Malcolm shook his head. “I didn’t say anything.”
Trenton smiled at them. “I’m not certain you had to, Mal.”
Malcolm shrugged, relieved when he was finally able to unclench his hands. “She should be used to listening to me by now. I’m always right.”
An actual eye roll followed that, and Malcolm relaxed further. If Celia could act annoyed, she was no longer worrying about her collapse as much.
Trenton rubbed at his jaw. “I wouldn’t say always.”
“Oh, you deserved the punch.” Malcolm regretted it, but there had been reason enough for his outburst.
“True,” Trenton said, his eyes falling to his hands.
“Not true,” Celia said, reaching for him this time. “I was the one freaking out for no reason. Malcolm is just too quick to resort to his fists.”
“I’d warned him,” Malcolm said. He had never dreamed his monkish best friend would take advantage of his cousin when she was so vulnerable. “He shouldn’t have touched you.”
