Page 1 of Forever Cursed

Chapter One

Chrissy

“I’m cursed to be single forever,” I groan as I lie on a beach towel beside Gwen.

I dig my left hand in the sand, warmed by the sun, and the ocean’s waves crash like a harmony. I’ve always loved the beach. When we were kids, Mom and Dad would pack the car with food and beach toys, and we would spend the entire day lounging in the sand.

“You? Cursed? That’s not possible,” Gwen states as a fact.

I glance over at her. She sits under the umbrella, wearing a linen swimsuit cover-up and sunglasses, engrossed in a newly released book by her favorite author. I asked her what it was about, and she got all giddy. Her day was made, and she went on and on, talking about romance and magic. I don’t read many books, but I may have to borrow that one when she’s done.

Pursing my lips, I say, “I’m cursed and lonely—two things you know nothing about.”

Right on cue, Ash jogs over, falls to his knees, and kisses Gwen as if his life depends on it.

“I take it back. I’m cursed to be lonely forever and constantly on the verge of throwing up.”

I adore Gwen and Ash—I really do—but I would be lying if I said I didn’t get a pang of jealousy now and then. I would kill to have someone look at me the way Ash looks at her. After everything they’ve been through, they deserve all the happiness in the world. That doesn’t mean I can’t loathe them for it every now and then. I know I’ll never have what they have. I’ll never find love that deep and real. My parents and them have something rare and almost unobtainable. I hope they know that.

“Whatcha girls talking about?” Ash asks with a hint of a smile.

“Chrissy thinks she’s cursed,” Gwen offers.

“Chrissy? Cursed? That’s not possible.”

“Watch it, Waylen.” I point up at him from my spot in the sand. “I’m cursed and doomed. And I’ll drag you both into the abyss with me.”

“Dude, you ditched me!” His voice arrives before he does. Not long after, Zack—my twin—peers down at me with a grin of amusement.

“Hey, Chrissy. Are you okay? You look like you’ve been cursed.”

I lunge upward to unleash my building attitude on him, but he runs away, barking out a laugh.

“I know where you live!” I shout after him, and he chuckles in response.

“Who cursed you?” Ash asks in that damn sweet tone of his.

I hunch over, my pout obvious as I stare at the endless ocean horizon.

“I did.” I can’t hide the whine in my tone.

“Why?”

“I let Miles go... again, and now I’m all alone.” I peer over at Gwen, and she offers me a reassuring smile.

“You did the right thing; you know that.”

And she’s right. Miles and I weren’t meant to be long term. I couldn’t see myself walking down the aisle to him, marrying him, having his children. Miles is a great guy, and he deserves someone who will love him until the end of time.

“I know . . .” I mumble to myself.

Ash’s phone rings, drawing our attention as he retrieves it from Gwen’s bag.

“Hey, are you here?” Ash asks, standing up.

Gwen and I look at one another, confusion warping our expressions. “Who is he talking to?” we mouth at the same time.

Not long after Ash answers his phone, he whirls around with a bright smile.

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