Page 6 of Forever Cursed

He smiles softly at Gwen even though she’s not looking. She’s too busy bopping in place, eating her vanilla soft serve.

“I’m starting to think I can’t do that for anyone.” She turns, and her eyes meet mine.

A slight hitch of air passes through her lips, and I realize I’ve been looking at her the entire time. If only she knew the effect she had on people, the effect she has on me.

“Ready, guys?” Zack calls as he dunks his wrapper into the trash.

“You better not be driving,” Chrissy groans before smiling at me one final time.

“Never again!” Ash threatens, eliciting a laugh from the entire group.

“I make one wrong turn, one time!”

“Down a one-way street.” Chrissy pretends to cough to cover her words.

“Says the girl who didn’t know the difference between the gas and brake pedal.”

Chrissy lunges forward but stops when a gust of chilly air blows past us. With a harsh shiver, her teeth start to chatter violently.

“Chrissy, wait.” I drop my ice cream wrapper and unzip my hoodie. I’m removing my arms from my sleeves when she turns around. “Here.”

Chapter Three

Chrissy

What is happening? Why is Rome offering me his hoodie?

With an outstretched hand, his lips form a kind smile, but I can’t move. “Chrissy?” he chuckles, and the noise spears through me like Cupid’s arrow. “Take it. I can’t have you shivering all night.”

Forcing my legs to move, I wrap my fingers around the red jacket.

“What’s the holdup?” Zack calls, making my face scrunch.

“We’re coming!” Rome smiles down at me as I put his hoodie on.

His natural musk and ocean cologne surrounds me, and I inhale the scent. Turning around, Rome rests his hand on my lower back, and my cheeks react feverishly.

Was I just cold? I don’t remember feeling cold.

When we catch up to the group, Gwen looks knowingly at me. Of course, she would notice Rome offered me his jacket. This girl has a knack for noticing things like that. Rome jogs ahead toward Ash and Zack.

I can’t wipe the smile off my face when she wraps her arms around me. She squeals quietly, and I let my excitement bubble over.

“He’s all I can smell right now.” I take in an obnoxious breath, and Gwen snorts in response.

“Rome Carter, who would have thought?”

The two of us giggle and dance along the boardwalk the rest of the way. Thank goodness the guys don’t find it suspicious. Ash looks back every so often and just smiles. Zack rolls his eyes, but I can see the hint of a grin. And Rome... Rome blushes when he sees me grinning ear to ear.

Maybe I’m not cursed after all. Maybe, just maybe, Rome has feelings for me, and there’s a chance something could spark between us.

When we reach the cars, everyone piles the supplies in the trunks. Rome didn’t bring much, so he starts his car’s ignition and leaves the door open so the interior can cool off.

With outstretched arms, he pulls Gwen into a hug and spins her around. “Happy birthday! I hope you had a blast.”

“I did, thank you,” she chuckles.

Her feet meet the floor, and she wobbles from the sudden dizzy spell.

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