Page 45 of Forever Cursed

“Explain yourself, Willows. Why are you and Gwen here, dressed like—” I gesture toward her attire, bewildered. “This.”

“I wanted to make sure the date was going well,” she answers nonchalantly.

“Hence the text messages?” I ask with an arched brow.

“Yes.”

“Were you eavesdropping?”

“Yes.”

Her honesty makes me laugh while I rake my fingers through my hair.

“Why? Why all this?” I point toward her attire again, totally dumbfounded by everything that has happened this evening.

“I just wanted to make sure you were okay,” she answers in a whisper.

Meeting her gaze, I sigh while I examine her. Her lips are pursed, and her nose is crinkled. She’s hiding something.

“Honesty is the best policy. What aren’t you telling me?”

She groans in response and tosses her cap on the ground. “Do you think she’s pretty?”

My eyes widen, and it takes me a moment to process not only what she just said but an answer as well. “She’s pretty, but only on the outside. I’m sure you overheard the conversation.”

“Why did you go out with her?”

“Because you told me to.”

She rolls her eyes. “You could have told me to fuck off... Whatever, I’ll rephrase the question.” She looks at me for a brief moment before continuing. “Is Zack the only barrier between us?”

Once again, her question is unexpected. Our chemistry is undeniable, but I thought she was moving on. Have I been misreading everything that has occurred between us? Does she still think about me in a romantic sense? This could explain why she dragged Gwen here tonight, not only to keep an eye on me but because she cares about me.Was she jealous?

I mean, she’s also weird—in the best way possible—but that’s not the point.

I open my mouth to respond, but she cuts me off. “Is it because you don’t enjoy spending time with me?”

“The whole time I sat across from Lindsay, I could only think of you. All I wanted was to seeyou. To see your wild eyes, your mischievous grin, and your unruly curls. When I sat down, all I could think about was how much I thought you would like it here. I wanted to be withyou, Chrissy. When I tell you that Zack is the only obstacle, I mean it wholeheartedly.” Passion and desperation fill my words. I need her to believe me.

I never thought she wasn’t pretty. Even in high school, I recognized her natural beauty. I want nothing more than to bewith her. To pick her up, to feel her legs wrap around my waist as I guide her against my car, and to feel her lips crash against mine as I kiss her. Fuck, the urge makes my skin itch, and I know she’s the only cure.

“You’re not lying, are you?” she mumbles before sniffling back her tears.

“You tell me. Do you think I’m lying to you?”

She scans my expression, lingering over my lips, traveling to my eyes, then down to my hands. She’s looking for signs, but she won’t find any because I’m not lying. And I will do anything to ensure she believes me.

“You’re not,” she mutters before dropping her gaze to her feet.

Without giving it another thought, I step forward, tilt her head up with my fingers, and lock my gaze with hers.

“Never hide your eyes from me.” I lower my tone as my stomach riots with nerves from being so close to her. “Don’t ever look down, Wildflower. The world needs to see your beauty, but if it were up to me, I’d keep it all to myself.”

She doesn’t respond, so I pull her closer, and she stumbles into my chest. “Do you understand?” I trace small circles along her chin with my thumb.

“I do,” she whispers.

“Good. Now, go find Gwen and get yourselves home. I’ll see you at the cat café for a session on Monday, okay?”

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