Cursed (Enchanted Gods #1) - K.K. Allen Page 0,21

a shaky laugh. “Is there something you want to ask me?”

His eyelids spread wide, and his mouth opens. “Um, no.” He shakes his head. “It’s not important.”

I push my lips to the side and frown. “Just ask. Is it about my grandmother? Or me?”

Alec shuffles his feet. “Now that you’re putting me on the spot, I wish I never even thought about it. I don’t want to offend you.”

I straighten my shoulders and look him dead in the eyes. “You don’t even know me. There’s no possible way you can offend me.”

He releases a breath. “Okay. It’s just… people around here call your grandmother a Wiccan or whatever”—he nods at the books in my hands—“because she’s so obsessed with all of that. They think she’s into witchcraft and stuff.” He lets out an awkward laugh. “Crazy, right?”

I open my mouth to tell him she’s not into anything like that, but then I snap it shut, realizing I actually have no idea what Rose’s religious beliefs are. “To be honest, I don’t know Rose well enough to speak on her behalf, but I don’t exactly get witchy vibes from her.” Despite the awkward conversation, a smile breaks out on my face.

Alec returns my smile with one of his own. “Well, that’s good, I guess. Sorry. It was ridiculous of me to even bring up. It’s not like people think she’s an actual cauldron-and-boil type of witch. I think they just mean… spiritually.” He frowns. “I hope I didn’t offend you.”

I can’t stop watching the way his mouth moves so perfectly, paired with his wide and wondrous green eyes. I feel dizzy just standing with him. “I told you, that’s not possible. Now, if we actually became friends, this would be an entirely different conversation.”

The wattage of Alec’s grin lights up his face. Finally, the tension vanishes, and his hand shoots out toward mine. “Alec Stone. We forgot this part yesterday.”

I let out a breath, relieved that the uncomfortable conversation is over. My smile is unstoppable. “Katrina Summer. You can call me Kat, though.”

We shake, and I can’t help but stare down at the way his hand embraces mine. The strength in his hold is both warm and firm, connecting us in a way that makes me never want to let go.

He stands up straighter, a gleam sparkling in his eyes. “Okay, then. Kat, it is.” He tilts his head. “You know, until recently, I didn’t know Rose had a granddaughter.”

This should probably upset me, but it doesn’t. “Well, now you know.” I probably shouldn’t say what comes out of my mouth next, but it’s out before I can stop it. “We were never close.”

“So why now? Why live with your grandmother in this boring tiny town?”

I know he doesn’t understand what he’s asking me, so I try not to get emotional with him. “She’s the only family I have. When my mom died, Rose was the one who took me in.”

His apology is evident on his face. “I’m so sorry. I knew about your mom. I just didn’t think… I’m sorry to hear about what happened.”

“Thank you.” I smile, wanting nothing more than to change the subject. “I don’t think Apollo Beach is boring at all. It’s smaller than Spring Lake in North Carolina. That’s where I moved here from. And they definitely didn’t have anything this”—I make a sweeping gesture while looking around—“charming.”

Alec doesn’t miss a beat. “I just moved here a little over a year ago myself. My dad got a job offer with the private college on the island, so I’m no stranger to being the new kid. We should stick together, you and me. I’ll have your back; you have mine. You know?”

I nod, though I’m so caught off guard by his offer, and my voice gets stuck in my throat. I can’t help but wonder why he’s being so nice to me. No one ever took the time to get to know me back home. Then a dark, ugly feeling snakes through me when I remember how nice Steve was to me at first too. It’s only a matter of time before something goes wrong here. Alec won’t want to be my friend then. No one will.

“You said you were headed somewhere.” He searches my gaze like he has a million more questions. “I would hate to make you late. Can I walk you out?”

I swallow my dark thoughts and push out a smile. “Sure.”

We ride the elevator and exit on the bottom floor so I