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Ash scowls at me while Ellis gives me a sympathetic look as I follow them into the living room. While the guys take up seats opposite each other on one of the lather couches, Ellis nearly steps into me and whispers discreetly, “did you get a cake?”

“Uh- yes?” I’m not sure why I’m whispering back.

Lindy catches Ellis’ eye as she walks over to the couch and grins, giving her a subtle thumbs up before she sits down on Trent’s lap, wriggling shamelessly into his arms as they wrap around her waist.

“She’s distracting them,” Ellis explains, still whispering. She doesn’t look back behind her, but sure enough, Lindy is saying something to both men that has them paying attention solely to her. “Trust me. Hide it. Or get some rope and string it up. Good lord, that would be a good one. Actually, I have a better idea. Put it on the roof outside. No, too dangerous. Someone will fall off and kill themselves. Just- find a good hiding place. Think of it as hide and seek two point zero.”

“Oh- uh- alright. I’ll- I’ll do that.”

“Say you’re going to fix snacks. They don’t know for sure there is a cake, but Leandra seemed to think there would be.”

“I’m confused. Is this like the curse?”

Ellis yelp softly. She claps a hand over her mouth and I get a good look at the flashy ring on her index finger on her left hand. Is that ring part of the cursed bit too? I know that every time I see a bit of jewellery, I’m going to think it’s cursed now, at least where this family is related.

“How do you know about the curse?” she whisper-yells hotly in my ear.

“I- uh- Leandra?”

“Oh shit. It’s finally happening.”

“No! I don’t know if that’s true.”

“That’s why we’re all here. The guys always called a family thing when they fell victim to the curse. Usually it was to try and figure a way out of it. I knew it would happen for her eventually!” Her eyes slide over me, appraising me now like I’m a pick ready to be butchered and put over the fire, apple in my mouth and all.

My stomach churns and burns, reminding me both that I’m ridiculously nervous and that I haven’t eaten today. It’s a bad combination. Or maybe more of a vicious circle.

“Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone. Oh, and I think that’s probably Taylen or Toren.” She points to the door where I can see a shadow through the glass panels.

“Right. Thanks.”

“Hide. The. Cake.”

“Okay. I will. Right away.”

She grins at me like we’re old friends sharing a secret that both of us actually understands.

When I open the door, I’m greeted by another scowling pair of guys- Leandra wasn’t kidding when she said her male relatives were protective. At least there are two more smiling women, and a boisterous little boy who looks to be about six or seven, to make up for it.

“Hi!” The woman with her hand on the boy’s shoulder exclaims. “I’m Luna, this is Milo, and this grouch is Toren. That’s Taylen beside him. They’re brothers. Don’t mind them, they’re just peeved that their baby sister might finally have fallen in love and since it’s cursed love, it’s the real deal.”

Okay, so apparently we were only fooling ourselves thinking that we might actually be surprising anyone. Though, the curse isn’t he surprise. I’m starting to think, based on the size of these four guys and the depth of their scowls, that taking another cactus dick punch might be easier than whatever they’re going to dole out when they find out our real news isn’t just cursed news.

“And sorry, I’m being rude. This is Elodie, Taylen’s girlfriend.”

“They all ambushed us when it was our turn,” Elodie laughs. She offers her hand to me to shake. “Leandra told us not to bring anything. I wanted to bring potato salad, because who doesn’t like potato salad, but she wouldn’t hear of it. So, sorry. No potato salad. Those were my orders. I should have brought my granny instead.”

“Her hairy legs would have scandalized everyone and she would have shown up in some haute couture outfit that no doubt showcased her legs to her greatest advantage, and everyone else’s horror,” Taylen quips from beside Elodie. She elbows him hard in the ribs. He just grins back at her.

“Sorry,” she tells me. “Inside joke.”

“Uh- everyone’s in the living room already. We have a kitchen full of snacks. My brother and grandma are in there right now.” I remember Ellis’ strange request that I hide the cake. “I was, uh, just going to help them. I know it’s rude, but would you get the door for me if I’m still in there when the rest show up?”

“Of course,” Luna assures me kindly. “Although, I should ask you where the bathroom is. Because I’ll probably have to pee ten times before then. Or maybe puke. You don’t mind if I barf in there, do you?”

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