The Cursed Series, Parts 3 & 4 (Cursed #3-4) - Rebecca Donovan Page 0,154

was that of opposites. But it suited us, allowing room for balance. My patience soothed her ferocity. Her exuberance stoked my uncertainty. It was a friendship set upon a teetering ledge. Ever-changing to be the other’s opposing force.

Faye, I’m hungry,” the small voice says directly into my ear, forcing me to wake with a start—much earlier than I was prepared to. Probably because I’ve only been asleep a few hours, having snuck in at nearly dawn from Kaden’s cottage.

I fell asleep there, wrapped in his arms, after returning from the Saturday night party Maggie had insisted we attend. Thankfully, I woke before the sun rose.

A finger pokes my forehead. “Faaaaye, are you awake?”

“Yup,” I say, squinting my eyes open. “I’m awake.”

I roll onto my back and stretch my body long from head to toe. Parker crawls up on the bed and begins jumping around me, giggling.

I sit up and scoop him in my arms, tickling him. He squeals and wiggles.

“What do you want for breakfast?” I ask, setting him on the floor.

“Waffles.”

I breathe in the cool, salty air that rustles the sheer white curtains. The edge of the lawn and the ocean fill my window, the sun a sphere of golden warmth hovering above the cresting ocean. I love this island and can’t believe this is the last full day we’ll be here this year. I dread the thought of returning to school in Sherling.

Just one more year, I repeat in my head—it may be my mantra for the next nine months until I return to Nantucket.

Even if I don’t return as Niall and Olivia’s nanny, Kaden promised last night that I could spend next summer at the cottage with him.

I crawl out from under the blankets and grab Kaden’s sweatshirt that I stole from him last night before I snuck into the main house. “Let’s go make some waffles.” I pull the length of my hair off my back, securing a messy knot low on my head with a scrunchie.

Parker jumps and skips, spinning the entire way down the stairs to the open and airy foyer. My heart warms every time I step into this space. It always feels like the sun is shining regardless of what it’s doing outside.

Helen teases that I dream of a life that isn’t mine. But she’s wrong. If anything doesn’t feel real, it’s the world I’m returning to tomorrow in Sherling, where no one has any dreams at all.

“Remember to keep your voice quiet, so you don’t wake anyone up,” I tell Parker, lifting him onto his booster seat at the kitchen table, where a line of cars and trucks wait for him to play while I make breakfast.

Even walking around the space, pulling bowls out and setting up the waffle iron, feels familiar … like I’ve done it my entire life.

“Will Isaac like waffles too?” Parker asks as I pull out the ingredients for the batter.

“I think so,” I say. “You’ll have to ask him when he wakes up.”

“I’m gonna wake him up now.” Parker squirms his way out of the booster, dropping below the table. He crawls out and takes off, running toward the stairs.

I don’t bother going after him. If I’m forced to be awake, it won’t hurt Isaac to be as well.

I open the refrigerator to remove the eggs and milk. I have to shuffle the contents around. The shelves are filled with food, in preparation for the elaborate family picnic we’re planning this afternoon. When I close the refrigerator door, someone is leaning against the counter. I jump, nearly dropping the carton of eggs.

“Good morning, Peach,” Damon greets me with a wink.

“Good morning, Damon,” I reply politely, moving past him.

Before I’m clear of him, he wraps an arm around my waist, twirling me until I’m flush against his chest. I freeze.

He takes the eggs and milk from my hands, setting them on the counter. He spins me around in a clumsy dance. Alcohol fumes roll off his skin. I hold up my hands, not sure where to place them. My body remains stiff as he sways and twirls us. I laugh uncomfortably at his drunken playfulness, hoping to extricate myself without offending him.

“Did you have fun at the party last night?” he asks, nuzzling his face into my neck, his stubble scratching my skin.

I immediately push away, my back colliding with the hard edge of the island.

“Hey, sorry. Was just being friendly.” He chuckles, flashing me the seductive grin that had a coed sitting on his lap