Page 67 of Forever Cursed

“Do you get them often?” she asks while opening my door.

“Sometimes, if I focus too hard.”

She doesn’t respond.

I barely remember entering my apartment or sitting in bed. My back hits my bed, and Chrissy pulls my shoes and socks off.

“I’m going to get you some medicine. When I get back, I want to see you under those blankets and super cozy.”

“Okay,” I mumble.

Pushing myself up, I crawl under my comforter. The fabric is cool against my bare skin. I didn’t realize how tense my shoulders felt until the mattress cushioned my frame. With my eyes closed, I work on pushing away my negative thoughts.

The sound of footsteps inches toward me. I start to open my eyes, but she stops me.

“Keep those things closed, mister,” she instructs me. “Give me your hand.”

When I hold my hand out, she puts some medicine in my palm. I pop the pills in my mouth and accept the glass of water.

“That should help, along with a nap and a dark room.”

“Thank you,” I mutter before lying back down.

“Oh, Rome,” she sighs before sitting next to me. “I told you this might happen. You’re pushing yourself too hard.”

She brushes the hair away from my forehead and rests the back of her hand on my forehead. She’s cold to the touch, and it cools my forehead instantly.

“Mmm, that’s nice.”

“I’ll have dinner for you when you wake up. Just rest, don’t worry about anything right now.”

She goes to leave, but I reach out and grab her hand. “Please stay.” My eyes throb when I look at her, but I need her to know I want her with me. “Just until I fall asleep.”

“Of course,” she says with a soft smile.

I scoot over and lift the blanket for her. She lies down and presses her body against mine.

Draping my arm over her waist, I rest my forehead against her shoulder. “Chrissy?”

She squeezes my hand and tilts her head back. “Rome.”

“I’m about to ask you something, and it’s going to sound childish.”

Shifting against me, she flips onto her other side and takes my hand. “Let me see your handsome eyes, just for a moment.”

I squint my eyes open and look into her blue irises. She places my hand against her lips and kisses it.

“Nothing you say could ever sound childish. Don’t ever feel that way, not with me. You can tell me anything.”

Staring into her eyes, I smile softly and smother my nerves to the best of my ability. “Will you be mine?”

When the question leaves my lips, my stomach twists. I haven’t asked something as important as this since high school, and I haven’t had any love interests since then, either. Nothing has ever gone this far. For all I know, she’ll say no, and I’ll be left alone and broken like I was when I was younger.

Chrissy inches forward and feathers her nose against mine. “Oh, Rome. I’m already yours.”

A comforting warmth spreads through my chest, easing my worry, and I smile widely. “Really?”

“Yes, really,” she chuckles and kisses the tip of my nose. “I’m yours, and you’re mine. Plain and simple, darling.”

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