Page 41 of Forever Cursed

“What about them?”

She smirks at me while holding up a trench coat. “Are they necessary?”

“What’s the fun in a stakeout if you can’t dress incognito?”

Gwen nods before slipping on her sneakers. The two of us get dressed in what I must say, are killer outfits.

I wanted to wear a trench coat and a detective hat, but given that it’s ninety degrees outside and humid, I decide to spare my body from additional sweat.

I tie the drawstring of the basketball shorts I stole from Zack, put on fake black-rimmed glasses, and tie my hair back. A Castle Brook baseball hat completes the ensemble.

Gwen is wearing matching black shorts, a baggy blue T-shirt, and a matching university cap.

I give her a thumbs-up before I leap past her. “I almost forgot!”

I pull a plastic bag out of my purse and offer her a fake mustache.

She looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “Are you serious? No one is going to believe these are real.”

“Oh, come on! They look so real, and no one will be up in our business. We just need to pull off the look from a distance.”

“This is such a bad idea,” she groans while accepting the handlebar mustache. “You two are going to end up together anyway. I feel it in my bones.”

We stand in front of the mirror and secure our faux facial hair. When we finish, we look at one another in the mirror and laugh hysterically.

We look like absolute fools, but this is going to work. We look like two college kids with terrible mustaches going out to dinner. Rome won’t spot us from a mile away.

The two of us head down the stairs and walk into the kitchen. Ash sputters out his water all over himself and the floor the second he sees us, and Max runs his hands down his face.

“What the fuck?” he asks as his lips turn upright.

“Whatever this is”—Max points at us while forming a circle—“I don’t agree with it, and I don’t want any part of it.”

“I told you we look ridiculous,” Gwen mutters as Ash starts to cackle.

“You guys look amazing!” he snorts while grabbing his phone.

“No pictures!” Gwen shouts, but Ash doesn’t listen.

Pulling her into my arms, I flash a wide smile, and Ash takes a thousand pictures.

As he wipes his tears, Gwen smirks before looking at Max. “Max?—”

“No way.” He shakes his head before she can even ask her question.

“You don’t even know what I’m going to ask.” She pouts.

“You want to borrow my car, and the answer is no.”

“Oh, come on. This is for Chrissy and Rome.” She uses her most innocent tone and smiles at him. “Please, pretty please! We can’t use Ash’s car. Rome will spot us.”

Max and Ash share a quick glance, communicating in their unspoken brother language. They know what we’re up to, and neither likes the idea. That doesn’t mean they don’t find it entertaining, and they’re both suckers for Gwen.

“Fine, just be careful.” Max tosses her his keys, and she manages to catch them.

“Thank you!” she sings before running up and kissing him on his cheek.

“That was so scratchy.” He shivers and scrubs his face.

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