Page 28 of Curses and Cornstalks
Chapter Twelve
Atticus
I’m a fool.
A fool with the dumbest luck in the world.
I can’t help but smile.
As much as I’d hoped the red-haired beauty might return, I didn’t think I would ever see her again. Surely, she has better things to do than spend time in an old cornfield with someone—something—like me.
Yet, here she is, following me deeper into the place I call home, her hand in mine. My heartbeat falters as I squeeze her fingers, desperate to reassure myself that this is happening.
She’s really here.
My smile widens.
“Where are we going?” she asks, her gentle voice dancing around me like a song.
I wish I could take her anywhere else. Somewhere romantic where we aren’t surrounded by endless cornstalks, but there isn’t. My curse keeps me confined to the field, my soul tethered to the ground. There’s only one place I can take her, the place I’ve avoided since the night she released me.
“You’ll see,” is all I can say.
When we step into the clearing, we’re bathed in soft moonlight peaking through the clouds above. It’s not much, but it’s enough for Cassie to turn off the flashlight she’s carrying. Her eyes sweep across the clearing, a furrow forming between her eyebrows.
“Is this where I found you?” she asks.
I nod. “The first thing I did was take down the post; I haven’t been back since.”
Her eyes flash to mine. “I don’t mind walking around so you don’t have to be here…”
“It’s okay. I’m distracted as long as you’re here,” I assure her, leading us to the middle of the clearing. I tug my hand out of hers, immediately missing the contact.
As I turn to face her, her eyes light up, sparking unfamiliar warmth in my chest. I hate how much I love what she does to me.
This can only end in heartbreak, but I’ll enjoy every bittersweet moment until then.
“You’ll have to forgive me,” I say, reaching for the top button of my coat. It’ll serve her more than it serves me. “There's no place clean or comfortable here for you to sit.”
She shakes her head. “I'm fine, I promise.”
My gloved fingers fumble over the first two buttons, but I finally manage to get them undone.
“Umm…” she hums as she watches me struggle. “We can talk just as well with you clothed, you know?”
I laugh, my shoulders shaking, and lose my hold on the third button.
“Damn,” I mutter.
If I wasn't so ashamed of what the curse did to me, what it turned me into, I’d ditch the gloves.
However, I don't want Cassie to be more afraid of me.
For her to see me as more of a monster.
“Here, let me help.” She steps up cautiously and reaches for the front of my coat. All my blood rushes south, and my eyes fall to her pale, slender fingers as they make quick work of the buttons.
I try to hide my ragged breath by clearing my throat and quickly shed the tattered coat. What's left underneath is a blue plaid long-sleeve that covers most of my skin.
