The Cursed Series, Parts 3 & 4 (Cursed #3-4) - Rebecca Donovan Page 0,157

“I saw him last night.”

I glance over at her. Her lips are pressed into a smile so wide it covers her face. She’s radiating.

“Knew someone kept you away.” I giggle. “Why haven’t I met him yet?”

Maggie dismisses me with a roll of her eyes, as she’s done each time I’ve asked this weekend. “Don’t want you stealing him from me again.” Using a pair of tongs, she flips the bacon, then laughs when she notices my blank expression. “I will forever tease you for that, and you will always look like I stole your lollipop when I do. Faye, stop. You know I’m so over it. I have so much more to occupy my mind. And my body. And my …”

I shoot her a look, eyeing the kitchen table where Julia, Olivia and Cassandra are talking while the boys crash trucks into each other.

She scoots so she’s right next to me. “Did I tell you he has the most talented tongue? He does this thing—”

I bump her with my hip, my face crimson. Maggie starts cackling.

“Good morning,” a smooth voice says from beside me, arms wrapping around my waist. I start and laugh nervously when Kaden kisses me on the cheek. “What’s so funny?”

“Good morning.” I shoot a quick glance toward Maggie. Words aren’t necessary.

Kaden smiles in understanding. “Good morning, Maggie.”

“Kaden,” Maggie acknowledges with a curt nod. Then she meets my eyes and waggles her tongue behind Kaden’s back, making me laugh.

“You’re ridiculous,” I scold her.

She winks at me, then scrapes the eggs into a bowl. “Get the bacon for me?” she asks Kaden, carrying the bowl to the dining room table at Olivia’s request.

“We’re spending the entire day together, right?” he confirms, setting the strips of bacon onto folded paper towels to absorb the grease, then adds quickly, “With the boys.”

I nod, my insides melting as he plants a quick kiss on my neck before taking the bacon to the table.

Soon, the entire house is awake, Niall being the last to arrive after Nick has returned from his coffee escape. I’m stationed at the waffle iron until everyone’s fed. By then, Parker is done playing with his trucks and is antsy, wanting to go outside.

“I’ll take him,” Niall tells me. “Thank you for the waffles. Now be sure you get something to eat.”

“I can make you an omelet,” Kaden offers, resting a hand on my lower back. It feels like a warm stone, even through his sweatshirt, heating me to my core.

“Thank you,” I say, smiling appreciatively.

“We’ll clean up,” Olivia says, bringing empty plates from the dining room table. “Cassandra, will you bring over the boys’ plates?”

“Uh, no,” Cassandra says, her nose scrunched in disgust. “I need to get ready to go out on the boat with JoJo and Karolena.”

“I’ve got it,” Nick declares, leaning over to kiss Cassandra on the cheek, just as she abruptly turns away. His neck reddens.

I lower my head to save him the embarrassment of an audience.

“I’ve got to get going. Mom needs me at the store,” Maggie announces, setting her plate in the dishwasher. “See you guys later?”

“We’ll expect you this afternoon for the picnic, Maggie. We’re setting up badminton and croquet,” Olivia calls out before disappearing down the hall toward the master bedroom.

Maggie is not one for either game, but she smiles mischievously and murmurs out of the side of her mouth, “Only if I get to drink their wine.” She plants a loud kiss on my cheek as I laugh at her antics.

We couldn’t be any more different, but I’ve been drawn to her since the second we met. Maybe it’s her brazenness that I admire. Maggie’s fierce and opinionated. While I’m reserved and polite.

She hollers her goodbyes as she departs.

Kaden carries my plate to the patio. I follow with a glass of orange juice, sitting next to him at the table under the wooden slats of the pergola. Niall is with the boys, out near the lawn’s edge, just before the steep slope transitions into sea grass and sand dunes. He’s pretending to be a monster, chasing after the boys, who laugh and run away. I smile at the image.

“Do you find Maggie attractive?” I ask, my eyes still following Parker as he rolls on the ground, his father tickling him. When Kaden is quiet too long, I realize how the question sounded and redirect my focus to him. “Sorry, I mean … she’s bold and unapologetic. She seems so comfortable, being her, not caring what anyone thinks. I didn’t