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“Because she didn’t matter.”

“But Sinclair does.”

I stare off into the distance, watching as the front door swings open and in walks my least favorite person in the world, Tim. I haven’t even given him a thought but now here he is, and I sort of want to talk to him. About Sinclair.

“Yes,” I bite out. “She matters to me. It’s the family curse.”

“Family curse?”

“When a Lancaster falls for someone, that’s it. That’s their person. For life. I’ve avoided getting to know women in fear of having that happen to me. My parents are obsessed with each other and while it’s reassuring to know they love each other so deeply, as I got older, it—scared me. Their kind of love.”

Cyrus actually has the nerve to chuckle. “Scared you? That’s not typical, August. Nothing scares you.”

“Falling in love with someone does.” I’m not ready. I’m too young. Sin is far too young. What if there’s someone else out there better for me? Better for her? Am I settling? Is she?

Unfathomable. I wouldn’t settle for anything less than what I deserve and damn it, I deserve Sinclair.

“But you just said it’s not love, what you feel for Sinclair.”

My gaze stays on Tim and his goofy friend, Rafe. They’re laughing and talking and high-fiving each other and I can’t stand it.

“It’s not. Yet.”

Cyrus is laughing, the dick. “If she is a witch, you’re done for, dude. You’ve completely fallen under that spell she’s cast on you.”

“It’s not such a bad place to be.” I rise to my feet, my focus on the two idiots standing in the foyer. “I’ll be right back.”

I make my way over to Tim and Rafe, who catch on quickly that I’m making my approach. They both go quiet, watching me with bug eyes and open mouths. Like they’re little kids who are about to get in trouble. Tim is the braver of the two when it comes to me and he snaps his lips shut, putting on a friendly face.

“Hey, prez. How are you?”

I hate the nickname. It’s disrespectful. “I’m well. How are you two imbeciles?”

Neither of them responds to my insult. It’s like they didn’t even hear it.

“We’re good.” Tim keeps nodding like he can’t stop and Rafe mumbles a response I can’t decipher.

“Can I speak to you privately for a moment, Tim?” I glance over at Rafe, who looks ready to bolt. “You understand, don’t you?”

“Yep. See you.” Rafe is gone, leaving Tim and I alone and I lead him back to my lair, Cyrus nowhere in sight. Perfect.

Turning to face Tim, I cross my arms. “Are you still speaking to Sinclair?”

Tim frowns, squinting up at me because I’m taller than him. “We have a class together. I sit next to her. Yeah, I still talk to her.”

“Well then, you need to stop.” I put on my most intimidating expression. “Keep away from her.”

Tim’s cheeks turn ruddy and I can tell he’s trying to contain his anger. “Seriously? How can I avoid her when we share a class?”

“Don’t sit next to her, don’t talk to her. It’s that easy, Tim.”

“Are you two together?”

“We’re going to be.”

“So it’s not official yet.”

Why isn’t he readily agreeing with me that he’ll do as I say? “It’s going to be.”