Page 26 of Cryptic Curse

Raven takes the seat next to Belinda, and Belinda smiles at her.

“Looks like you had the same idea we did,” Belinda says.

Raven smiles.“Absolutely.Every topping, and double Oreos.”

Belinda laughs and takes another bite.

Vinnie takes a seat on Belinda’s other side, effectively shielding her from anyone else.

What I should’ve done.

Once everyone is seated and eating, Vinnie clears his throat.

“Since everyone is already gathered… Raven and I have some news,” he says.

I kind of already know what’s coming.Raven confided in me, to make sure that I—as Vinnie’s legal wife—didn’t have an issue.

Of course I didn’t.

I don’t.Vinnie is my savior.All I want is his happiness.

“What is it?”Mrs.Bellamy asks.

“Raven and I are officially engaged,” he says.

Mrs.Bellamy clasps her hand to her mouth.“That’s wonderful!”

Falcon gives Vinnie a side hug.“Excited to have another brother, Vinnie.”

Savannah giggles.“He’s already your brother-in-law, at least he will be when we get married.”

“Maybe we could do a double wedding!”Mrs.Bellamy says, grinning ear to ear.

Eagle raises his bowl of ice cream in a pseudo-toast, and Robin has a smile on her face that isn’t quite reaching her eyes as she hugs her twin sister.

Hawk gives Vinnie a fist bump, and I can’t quite read the expression on his face.He’s happy, that much is for sure.But there’s an air of something—is it wistfulness?—in his eyes.

When the initial hubbub has settled, I grab Raven’s forearm, lean across the table.“Please be happy,” I say.“And please make him happy.He deserves everything.”

“He does,” Raven agrees, “and so do you, Dani.”

Mrs.Bellamy swallows her mouthful of ice cream.“We should have champagne.”

“I don’t think they serve that here, Mom,” Hawk says.

“Well,” Vinnie says, “Raven and I were going to take Daniela and Belinda out to dinner tonight.Why don’t the rest of you come as well?My treat.They have the best ice cream ever.All homemade.With whatever toppings you want.Just ask Belinda.”

Belinda’s cheeks pink.“It is my favorite,” she says.

“Oh, don’t be ridiculous,” Mrs.Bellamy says.“I don’t get to cook much anymore, and I gave the staff the night off when we found out Austin was awake.Nothing would make me happier than to prepare a feast for Raven and Vinnie and the rest of us.”

“Come on, Mom,” Raven says.“How can you possibly get a whole dinner together at a moment’s notice?It’s already four o’clock, and we’re an hour from home.”

Mrs.Bellamy looks across the table at me.“Well, my dear, I hear you’re quite the cook.”

A rush of warmth floods my cheeks.“Yes, ma’am.I love to cook.”

She takes my cheek in her hand.“Daniela, love, I’ve told you a million times to call me Star.”

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