Page 117 of Liars

“Get whatever you want,” I said.

No matter what time of day, Pa’s always had someone lingering about. Lunch tended to be one of their busiest hours. The counter bar had only two empty seats when we walked in. “I had a feeling I’d be seeing you today.” Bea, the owner, greeted me, her twinkling eyes shifting to Kaylor at my side briefly. Another first. I’d never brought a girl to lunch. Dinner was out of the question. “Your booth is open. Go on, take a seat. One of the girls will be by in a minute to take your order.” I caught the wink she gave Kaylor as we moved to the far-right corner of the diner where the guys and I usually sat. It had been our booth for years.

“You come here often, I take it,” Kaylor said, slipping into the seat.

I shrugged. “The food’s good.”

Kate, one of Bea’s usual servers, stopped at our table as we were getting settled. She smiled at me, pulling a pen out from behind her ear. “The usual today, Kreed?”

“That would be great. Kaylor?” I prompted, shifting my attention away from our server to across the table.

“Can I have an iced tea, please,” she said, glancing at Kate.

Kate blinked at her as if she had just realized I wasn’t alone. I watched the array of emotions pass over her features. She couldn’t be more than a few years older than me, closer to Raine’s age. She was pretty enough, but I hadn’t thought about her in any way other than as a friend.

“Can we get a bread basket with our drinks?” I added, lightening my tone. “Thanks, Kate.”

“Of course,” she replied, quickly shoving her small notepad back into the front pocket of her apron as she turned to check on her next table.

“Did she just sigh?” Kaylor asked.

Why was she asking me that? “I don’t know.”

She leaned her elbows on the table, pressing her chin into the top of her joined hands. “I’m sure you’re so used to girls fawningover you that you don’t even notice. That girl has a serious crush on you.”

I struggled to keep my focus on what she was saying when all I could think about was a dozen other things those lips could be doing. “And you can tell that from the one-minute interaction we had?”

Kaylor didn’t so much as bat her eyes. “Yes. It was obvious. She wasn’t subtle about her interest, Kreed.”

I groaned at the sound of my name, my fingers curling under the table. Fuck, I really wished I had my drink. I needed to do something with my mouth that didn’t involve what I wanted to do to Kaylor. “How many times have I warned you about saying my name?”

“I don’t see what the big deal is, Kreed. Kreed. Kreed…” My name purred from her lips as she leaned farther over the table with a mocking twist of her lips.

Someone was feeling extra naughty today. What the hell had gotten into her? And why did I like it so much? “If you think I’m above dragging you into the bathroom and taking you against the sink, you’re mistaken. Don’t test me, little raven, unless you can handle the consequences.”

She tilted her head, her eyes dancing with something that sent a sharp pulse through my body. “Perhaps you’re underestimating me. I’m not as good or innocent as you think I am.”

I lifted my hand, reaching across the table to grab her fingers and make good on my threat when Kate came back with our drinks, setting them down in front of us.

“Are you ready to order?” she asked sweetly.

I didn’t move, my gaze still locked on Kaylor, my hand still half reaching for hers.

Kaylor smiled as she dragged her focus to Kate. “I’ll have the Cali chicken sandwich with extra avocado and no bacon.”

I huffed a laugh. “No bacon? That’s a crime.” My thumb traced soft circles over the top of her hand before I could stop myself. “I’ll take her bacon. You can add it to my usual.” I hadn’t meant to keep touching her, but I couldn’t pull away.

“I’ll make sure the chef hooks you up,” Kate assured.

I finally looked up, trying not to be a dick, and forced my lips to curve. “You’re the best.”

She glanced between Kaylor and me, her smirk deepening as she tapped the end of her pen on the notepad in her hand. “She’s a cutie.”

My mouth straightened as I stared at the girl across the table. “She’s a pain in my ass.”

“The best ones always are.”

Kaylor turned toward me, feigning innocence. “Kate might have questionable taste in guys, but at least she has a good eye.”

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