Page 99 of The Villain We Tempt

“Just stopped by for some of that friendliness and approachability that my baby sister is so famous for,” myslightlyolder brother says. “Obviously.”

There's only thirteen months between Zane and I, which makes us just one year apart at school. We’re not the world’s closest siblings, but standard brother and sister bickering aside, we get along okay. We’re very different people, though, and tend to keep to our own friend groups, even though we’re both in Ouroboros.

He takes off his glasses and polishes them on the hem of his t-shirt, giving a small glimpse of his abs. I don’t think any of it is even a little bit accidental, given the way he’s still grinning at Wren.

Such a dork.

Zane shrugs. “I just came over to watch the Knicks game with Theo and Asher and I thought…” He winks at Wren. “Well, I heardyouwere single, andI’msing?—”

“Nope,” Wren says so fast that I crack up.

Zane’s brow furrows. “Bit quickon that response, but okay.” He instantly shifts his attention to Lucia. “Did you get some new ink, Luce?” he grins. “Maybe you and I could?—”

“Not in a million years,” Lucia says with a bland smile on her face as Wren and I both lose it. “Come on, Z, you’re kinda likemybig brother, too?”

“Exactly.” Wren makes a face. “Total ick factor. No offense.”

My brother frowns. “None taken,” he says sarcastically. He sighs and shakes his head, chuckling. “Well, had to shoot my shots.”

“Did you, though?” I mutter at him.

I screech and bat his hand away when he tries to mess up my hair.

“Getout, dick!” I yell as Zane makes a hasty exit.

I roll my eyes and take a big gulp of wine before I turn back to my friends. “I hope it goes without saying, but, please, no dating my brother?”

Wren makes a face. “I’ll try and restrain myself,” she says with a wrinkled nose.

My eyes swivel to Lucia, who blushes as she bites back a grin.

“Lucia…” I hiss.

She giggles, blushing deeper. “Whaaaat?” Then she sighs. “C’mon, Gal. I’m not gonnadate him, but your brother’s hot. Sorry, not sorry.”

My face scrunches up. “First of all,eww? And second of all, fuckingEWW!”

Wren and Lucia both laugh.

“Okay, obviously I’m never going to date your brother, or any other guy, for that matter,” Wren sighs. “But…” She arches her brows at me. “Sorry. Zaneishot. I mean those slutty little glasses?”

“Puke,” I blanch.

“Thoseglasses!” Lucia groans and exaggeratedly bites her tattooed knuckles. “I mean,hnnng.”

I make an exaggerated barfing face.

“Anyway,” I mutter. “What were we talking about?”

Wren sighs. “You were going off on your latest PornTok theories about some ghost guy?”

“The GhostPrince,” I correct her, trying to hide the flush on my face.

“Yeah, Wren,” Lucia giggles, pulling out her phone. “Put a little respect in his name. Justlookat him.”

Wren's face looks like the definition of the word “begrudgingly” as she drags herself to a sitting position on the edge of her bed, Lucia and I crowded on either side of her. Lucia taps her phone, and my cheeks instantly go bright red when a video I knowwaytoo well starts.

“Thisis why we’re obsessed,” Lucia sighs dreamily. “Just watch.”