Cursed (Enchanted Gods #1) - K.K. Allen Page 0,22

can check out my books at the front desk while Alec tells me about his Fourth of July party. “I know it’s a long way off from now, but you have to come. We take over the beach. All the homes take part in the fun. And at the end of the night, we shoot off an insane fireworks show. Seriously, you have to be there.”

We’ve just walked down the front steps of the library when he finishes his pitch, and I laugh. “I don’t even know if I’ll still be around by then. But if I’m here, I’ll try to make it.”

Alec frowns, the disappointment on his face boomeranging me straight in the gut. “What do you mean? You just got here.”

It feels so strange to talk about this out loud, to someone I’ve just met, no less. “I know, but this isn’t my home. Rose was nice to offer me a room, but I’ll be eighteen soon. I can’t impose on her forever.”

He opens his mouth to speak again, but a shrill voice startles us both.

“Alec, we found you.”

Dread weighs down my stomach when I see the two girls who almost ran me over in their sports car earlier come bouncing up beside Alec. To make things worse, the driver presses right up against Alec’s side.

My heart sinks when I realize he has a girlfriend. And not just any girlfriend. She’s gorgeous. Tall and blond, she has deep-chocolate-brown eyes and legs for days. She slings an arm over Alec’s shoulder, peers back at me with a glare, then looks at him with an amused expression. “Who’s your new friend?”

Alec looks between us and shifts his body, creating an awkward space between him and the girl. “This is Kat, Rose Summer’s granddaughter.”

The looks on the girls’ faces gives me the distinct impression they aren’t surprised in the least. The shorter girl, who has light-brown hair, makes a face. “So the rumors are true. Rose has a granddaughter.”

The blonde ignores her friend and asks me pointedly, “So, how long are you in town for?”

A heavy silence fills the air as I consider my response. “When I figure that out, I’ll make sure to let you know.”

After a pause, the blonde flashes a smile that resembles a smirk. “Well, then welcome to Apollo Beach. I’m Iris. This is Ava. Oh, and sorry about earlier.” Iris exaggerates her pout. “I honestly didn’t see you there. You should try using the crosswalk next time.”

Ava pushes out a smile, mimicking Iris. “You really should be more careful, but…” Her eyes scan me from head to toe. “No harm done I see.”

A sick feeling swirls in my stomach in response to her condescending tone, but I force a smile onto my face. “No harm done at all.”

Alec is looking between us. “What happened earlier? What am I missing?”

Iris lets out a haughty laugh and waves a hand in the air. “Nothing. So, anyway, Kat, welcome to town. If you ever need anything, Ava and I will be happy to help you. We’ve lived here our whole lives and know everything about the community. And Ava’s father is the town sheriff.”

I get a glimpse of Alec as Iris speaks. The way he keeps shifting away from the girls tells me I might have had it wrong. Maybe he and Iris aren’t an item. Maybe they’re just friends. Or maybe that’s just wishful thinking. Just when that thought crosses my mind, Alec’s eyes catch mine, and he gives me a sympathetic smile.

Iris must see the exchange because her fake smile narrows into a glare for a split second. Then she turns to Alec and perks right back up. “You ready to eat, babe?”

Babe? My stomach drops again.

Alec sighs, nods, then lifts his eyebrows at me. “Do you want to join us? We’re just grabbing some lunch.”

I shake my head. “Thanks, but I’m meeting up with Charlotte.”

Alec flashes me a final smile, his gaze lingering on mine for a few seconds longer. “See you around, Kat.”

My smile falters when I realize he’s not the last of them to look away. My eyes catch on Iris, her lids narrowing into daggers aimed straight for me. Then with a quick toss of her hair, she whips her head around and links arms with Alec—a possessive move if I ever saw one.

As I watch the three of them walk off toward the parking lot, there’s a sinking feeling in my gut. I may not be planning to stay in Apollo Beach