One thing led to another, and Theo ended up at a basketball team party. Apparently, those people didn’t cut corners on anything — especially architecture. The party was being held in a massive mansion, the kind that looked straight out of a TV show. The entire school was there.

Theo wasn’t used to that. Especially not to all the attention focused on him.

Apparently, that’s what happens when you become the stepson of one of Long Island’s most well-liked multibillionaires.

Making friends had gotten easier. Being on the basketball team helped. And the girls… well, they were practically throwing themselves at him. No exaggeration. So why would going to a party be a bad idea?

A few beers in, Theo could barely remember why he preferred staying home. He almost convinced himself that this kind of scene wasn’t so out of his element after all.

Almost.

Because then, right in the middle of the dance floor, while trying to shake off a blonde who was clinging to him like she had a claim, he saw you.

And everything stopped.

Theo knew many versions of you. The spoiled, stuck-up stepsister. Then the sweet, slightly clumsy girl who slept in the bedroom across from his. And eventually, the beautiful, incredible stepsister who occupied every forbidden thought in his head.

But this version?

This one he had never seen before.

He was foolish to forget, even for a few minutes, that you were still a Hamptons girl. And that came with an upgraded version of any Gossip Girl character.

Your hair was different — no waves, perfectly straight now, falling just right. The tight black dress hugged your body, leaving very little to the imagination. And damn… you were stunning.

Theo knew, right then, that he would never be able to erase that image from his memory. You didn’t even look like the same angelic girl he’d greeted in the kitchen that morning.

Now, you looked more like… a corrupted angel.

When you noticed him, you gave a small smile. Hesitant. Like you were deciding whether or not to come talk to him. And Theo couldn’t blame you — he’d been acting like an asshole on purpose for days, trying to keep you at a distance.

It was easier that way. Safer.

Though he was starting to think you didn’t really hate anyone.

You were with a group of friends, but then you stepped away from them and started walking toward him. Theo felt the air grow thin.

God.

When you got close enough, her perfume filled his senses, and for a few seconds he wanted to pretend he was meeting you for the first time. Pretend you weren’t his stepfather’s daughter. Pretend the two of you could actually be… together.

“Hey, you,” you said, smiling.

Theo noticed you were slightly tipsy. Nothing alarming. Still, his eyes instinctively dropped to the glass in your hand. Protective mode on.

“Witch,” he replied, his voice controlled. “You look… beautiful.”

The tone came out stoic, almost cold. But all he really wanted was to step closer. And mark his territory.