Page 36 of Forever Cursed

“Yeah, but his wallet would be happy,” Rome chimes in, and my jaw drops.

“You’re supposed to be on my side!” I punch him and flinch the second my fist touches his sculpted forearm.

“You never learn your lesson,” he chuckles as I wince and shake my hand off.

“Where’s Gwen and Ash? I need backup . . .”

“They went to see that movie you two saw today,” Max responds as he stands.

Pickles stretches and sits at the foot of his bed, squinting his big green eyes at me like he knows something I don’t.

“Alright, blondie, or should I sayblondies.” Max laughs at his lame joke.

As I roll my eyes, Rome chuckles and smiles wide.

Maybe that’s why Max likes Rome; he laughs at his lame dad jokes.

“What do you guys want to order?”

I look over at Rome. “Whatcha think, Cap?”

His eyes widen and sparkle, and I can’t help but broaden my smile. “Mexican?”

“Now we’re talking! Why don’t you two set up a movie while I order the food?”

“Can we watch something funny? I need something light after seeing that movie,” I admit.

“Put on whatever you want.” Max ruffles my hair before opening the app on his phone to start the food order.

“I like him,” Rome tells me as we head back down the stairs.

“He has his moments.”

I skip over to the couch, plop down, grab the TV remote, and hum. Rome sits down next to me, resting his knee against mine. The brief touch sets my body aflame, and I’d give anything to lean against him and snuggle close.

“What did you have in mind?” he asks, jarring me for a moment. “Geez, that movie left you jumpy.”

My lips tilt upward as I try to clear the images of snuggling up to Rome out of my head. “Yeah, just a tad,” I mumble while turning onRapunzel.

“Oh, I love this movie!” Rome exclaims, and my brow raises.

“Really?” I was ready to hear bitching and complaining about putting a princess movie on. I was unprepared for a six-foot-five football player to get excited about my princess movie choice.

“Absolutely, just don’t tell the other guys.” He points at me in a teasing way.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say.”

I don’t start the film until the food arrives, and when it does, my eyes widen, and I fear they may fall out. Max ordered way toomuch food; he set it all up on the table in the living room, and there’s still more food on the kitchen island.

Rome bounces in his seat in anticipation. My stomach growls even though I ate a ton of popcorn earlier today.

When Max sits on the floor across from us, I play the movie, and we dig in.

Three types of tacos, tostadas, elote, mole, refried beans, and rice, are laid out before us.

Rome doesn’t waste a second piling his plate, and his glowing expression makes me sigh in relief. This is the Rome I know. He’s kind, bright, and loves food and spending time with his friends. Malik put too much on his shoulders, and if it’s up to me to help him realize that, then I will.

I would do anything for Rome, even if nothing romantically happens between us. Rome deserves to be happy. He deserves love, all the food he can get his hands on, and a girl who will love him to the ends of the earth. I’ll do everything in my power to ensure he gets what he deserves.

---