Cursed (Enchanted Gods #1) - K.K. Allen Page 0,16

need things for the summer. I insist. I would take you myself, but my week is jam-packed with events. Charlotte will take you and show you around the island. It’s where everyone in town hangs out.”

I think that’s the third time she’s mentioned an “island,” and I’m just now questioning it. “Are you talking about an actual island? We’re on the bay coast. There aren’t any islands around here.”

Rose’s eyes light up like a million bulbs switched on at once. “Well, then I insist you go today and see it for yourself. What do you think, Charlotte?”

“I think it’s a wonderful idea,” Charlotte says.

I take a peek over my grandmother’s shoulder at Charlotte, who is giving me one of her comforting smiles.

“It will be fun, I promise. I’ll show you around. We’ll look in a few stores, grab some lunch, maybe get our nails done. Just a girls’ day out.”

It feels rude to reject their offer any more than I already have. With a quiet sigh and a forced smile, I agree to the plan.

“Well, that’s settled,” Rose says before rising from the table. “I’m afraid I must jet off again. Let’s have tea tomorrow, shall we? There’s something I’d like to show you.”

I’m starting to see why the town is so intimidated by Rose. She’s as fierce as she is kind, as assertive as she is observant, and as understanding as she is convincing. It’s strange, but even after going my entire life without knowing my grandmother, something about her feels familiar to me. And it’s as if she’s known me my whole life.

“I’m ready whenever you are,” I say to Charlotte when I touch down at the bottom of the staircase.

After the nerve-racking morning with Rose, I’m not as opposed to getting out of the house as I was initially. In fact, I could use the distraction from my thoughts. It seems distractions are all I have these days, and it’s all starting to feel a little dark. My mom would want better for me. I want better for myself, even if that means stepping outside of my comfort zone.

We walk out the main door and down the front steps then hop into the white Escalade. I don’t know what it is about the sight of the tiny woman climbing into a giant SUV, but a light laugh pushes up my throat.

Charlotte looks at me with amused curiosity. “What’s so funny?”

I shake my head then wave around the vehicle. “It’s just so… obnoxiously big, isn’t it? Like Rose’s home, and—” I start to wonder if I’m being rude and let out a sigh. “I’m just not used to all of this. I don’t feel comfortable letting Rose spend her money on me. It must already be such an inconvenience having me stay here. But I’ll be eighteen soon and then—”

“Stop.” Charlotte turns her full body to face me and holds my gaze for an intense few seconds, enough to tell me that whatever she’s about to say is serious. “You are blood, Katrina. You are a Summer. You have no idea what that means today, but you will. Whatever happened with your family in the past has nothing to do with you. You’re here because Rose wants you to be here. She’s always wanted to be a part of your life. I agree, the circumstances are unfortunate, but in no way are you a burden. Quite the opposite, in fact.”

I shake my head, refusing to believe it.

“It’s true,” Charlotte says firmly. “I’ve never seen Rose like this. So lively, so… happy. It’s like she’s found her passion again.”

I frown. “What? How?”

“Ever since George died, her responsibilities to this town have become her life. She stopped remembering why she started all this work to begin with. She doesn’t even leave Apollo Beach anymore. I have a feeling your presence is already changing that. So enjoy today, will you? If anything, do it for me.” She winks, resetting the mood. “I could use a fun day out.”

Tension releases from my body, and I lean back into my seat. “Fine. But I’m looking for a job while we’re out.”

“Now, there’s a great idea.”

With a satisfied smile, Charlotte drives us out of the Summer Estates gate and goes straight to where we had taken a left at the T last night. From what I can tell, this is the entire town, a T-shape with carved-out inlets that make up waterfront housing developments. We drive past the public beach, where a long rock