Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Chrissy
W hat is happening? Why is Rome offering me his hoodie?
With an outstretched hand, his lips form a kind smile, but I can’t move. “Chrissy?” he chuckles, and the noise spears through me like Cupid’s arrow. “Take it. I can’t have you shivering all night.”
Forcing my legs to move, I wrap my fingers around the red jacket.
“What’s the holdup?” Zack calls, making my face scrunch.
“We’re coming!” Rome smiles down at me as I put his hoodie on.
His natural musk and ocean cologne surrounds me, and I inhale the scent. Turning around, Rome rests his hand on my lower back, and my cheeks react feverishly.
Was I just cold? I don’t remember feeling cold.
When we catch up to the group, Gwen looks knowingly at me. Of course, she would notice Rome offered me his jacket. This girl has a knack for noticing things like that. Rome jogs ahead toward Ash and Zack.
I can’t wipe the smile off my face when she wraps her arms around me. She squeals quietly, and I let my excitement bubble over.
“He’s all I can smell right now.” I take in an obnoxious breath, and Gwen snorts in response.
“Rome Carter, who would have thought?”
The two of us giggle and dance along the boardwalk the rest of the way. Thank goodness the guys don’t find it suspicious. Ash looks back every so often and just smiles. Zack rolls his eyes, but I can see the hint of a grin. And Rome... Rome blushes when he sees me grinning ear to ear.
Maybe I’m not cursed after all. Maybe, just maybe, Rome has feelings for me, and there’s a chance something could spark between us.
When we reach the cars, everyone piles the supplies in the trunks. Rome didn’t bring much, so he starts his car’s ignition and leaves the door open so the interior can cool off.
With outstretched arms, he pulls Gwen into a hug and spins her around. “Happy birthday! I hope you had a blast.”
“I did, thank you,” she chuckles.
Her feet meet the floor, and she wobbles from the sudden dizzy spell.
“I gotcha. In the car you go.” Ash ushers her into the passenger seat. “See you, buddy!” Ash and Rome pat each other’s backs as they hug one another.
“I’m going to miss you!” Zack says while wrapping his arms around Rome’s waist.
“I’m gonna miss you too!” Rome nuzzles his head on top of Zack’s and starts to fake cry.
“We have the pool party next week. Chill it with the bromance!” Gwen sighs from the car.
“Wait, I’m going to miss you too!” Ash runs into Zack and Rome and hugs them.
Gwen covers her forehead with the palm of her hand and shakes her head. It’s a solid couple of minutes before the boys pull apart. Zack hops in the backseat, and Ash gets comfortable for the drive back home.
My eyes wander over Rome, and a spark of mad genius hits.
“Do you want company?” I ask while shoving my hands in my new jacket pockets.
Rome’s brows raise, and he flicks his eyes over to Zack.
“Zack!” He jumps at the sound of my raised voice. “I’m going to accompany Rome on the drive back. See you at Ash’s?”
“Whatever, woman. Just stop screaming at me.” Zack groans and waves me off.
With a wide smile, I glance back at Rome. “Only if you want the company, that is.” Please want the company. Please want the company.
With a soft smirk, Rome nods toward the passenger seat. “Get in.”