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When I shuffle away, there’s only one Poole witch on my mind. Finally, after dancing around him for over a week, I send Sterling my first text.

Me

Why are you so obsessed with me?

Chapter 9

Sterling

I haven’t replied to Aurora’s text yet. What am I supposed to say? I’ve been waiting for her to actually text me—about work, at the very least—and when she finally does, this is what she says.

Obsessed with her? Really?

Rude doesn’t begin to cover it. Cocky. Obnoxious. Frustrating. How can Jewel expect me to work under these conditions?

And Farrah, nosy Farrah, read the text over my shoulder and quickly shared it with the rest of my family, who teased me mercilessly for the rest of brunch. Even my dads. They were neutral parties in our bickering when we were children, but now, they’re no better than us.

Love them to death—all of them, even Farrah. But I’m grateful when I can go home and get a break.

My home isn’t far from the cottage—the Seren cottage now, I suppose. Both are more off the beaten path than the rest of Starbrook, and I like it that way, but I can’t imagine Aurora is a fan. She seemed so at home when I met her in Moonglade Harbor—back when I was still in grad school, trying my hand at living in a slightly more populated city.

I doubt she’ll be here long. There are people who stop by Starbrook, especially now that the town is growing, but they don’t always stay.

Why would she?

For me, Moonglade Harbor was never right. This is what I love. The person I am at the end of the day, when no one else is around, is the real me. I pour myself a mug of tea, sink into my leather armchair, and inhale the woodsy scent of my crackling fire and the burning incense. I don’t even have a TV in the room, content to fill my living room with books.

And no, I’m not a total weirdo. I have a TV in my bedroom, where I prefer to watch before bed, even though sleep experts wouldn’t approve. But out here is where I’m most at peace.

I peer up at my glass ceiling, into the expanse of stars and a sky the darkest of blues. Aurora isn’t the only star witch I know, but when I look up tonight, I think of her.

And her annoying text.

Finally, I pick up my phone to message her back, but another comes through.

Aurora:

I swear that was a joke.

I snort and shake my head. It took her a good twelve hours, but it seems like she finally became insecure. I’ve only seen glimpses of her insecurities, and somehow those hints are kind of cute. It’s a relief to know I’m not the only one with them.

That she wanted to sleep with me is still a shock—and it was only once. Of course, it was only once. People with as much style and charm as she has rarely even glance my way. It’s all right. I prefer a quiet life.

Aurora couldn’t give me that.

Not that I’m looking for that.

Not that I would ever put her in danger like that.

Gods.

Me

I figured as much

Aurora

Okay? Then why did you tell me to text you and then throw your phone into an ocean?