Page 46 of Forever Cursed

“Okay.” She glances down at my lips again, and I don’t stop myself from looking at hers either.

“Go. Before I make a mistake we’ll both regret.”

With a solemn nod, she looks behind me, and I drop my hand. When she leaves, I focus on my breathing rather than the impulse brewing in my veins.

It’s impossible to fight these feelings, and I can’t deny it any longer.

It might be time to have a one-on-one with Zack...

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chrissy

“What the hell happened?” Gwen asks while trying to keep up with me.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” I say without looking over my shoulder.

“I told you this was a bad idea.” She uses her lecture voice and side-eyes me as she walks to the driver’s side door.

“You were right, okay? Is that what you want to hear?” My voice raises, and she sighs.

“No, it’s not what I want to hear. I just want to know that you’re okay.”

I’m far from okay. In fact, I’m the farthest from okay than I’ve ever been. Rome told me I was gorgeous and that he wanted to date me, sending a riot of frustrating feelings through me. Never, and I mean never, has anyone done anything like that to me, let alone in the span of ten minutes.

Miles was good with his words, but his actions infuriated me, or rather, his lack of actions. Sure, he would compliment me, but it never went beyond that. It never felt genuine because his words were never filled with passion. He never hugged me randomly, tilted my head upward when I glanced down at myshoes, offered me his coat, or pushed me against a wall to kiss me in a fit of desire.

Rome has done three out of those four things, and I feel like the fourth is inevitable, no matter how hard we try to fight it.

So, no, I’m not okay.

“Can you just take me home, please?” I murmur.

Gwen’s expression softens, and she offers me a sincere smile. “Your place or mine?”

“Mine.” There I know Rome won’t randomly appear. I’ll be safe and away from the temptation that plagues me when he’s around.

“And that is how I know you’re not okay.”

We’re silent the entire car ride back to Castle Brook. When she parks the car, I stare at my folded hands and squeeze my eyes shut, forcing the remaining tears to fall down my cheeks.

“Do you want me to stay?”

“No, thank you though.” I offer her the best smile I can muster.

I put my hand on the door handle and push it open.

When I put one foot outside, Gwen wraps her hand around mine and stops me. “I’m going to need two favors from you.”

I look back at her and nod.

“One, you’ll text me first thing in the morning.”

“I can do that,” I mumble.

“Two, you will work on acknowledging your feelings for Rome.”

I open my mouth, but she shushes me. “I don’t want to hear it. You give everyone advice on their mental health, but you won’t give yourself the time of day. Your feelings for him are growing, and there will be a point of no return if you continue to avoid them. I’m not saying jump his bones. All I want is for you to look at yourself in the mirror, say the words, and make adecision. Either follow those feelings or continue to avoid them and live to regret that choice.”

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