Page 55 of Liars

“Destroy you?” Poppy finished darkly, sliding into the booth.

A chill slithered down my spine as I sat down.

“That’s what the Raven Crew does. They break people. You’re not the first, and you won’t be the last.” She paused. “It’s why they don’t date. Not seriously, anyway.”

My fingers fumbled with the napkin-rolled silverware on the table. “So, he’s never had a girlfriend?”

Poppy let out a sharp laugh, almost manic. “A girlfriend? That’s adorable. Kreed Corvo doesn’t date. Ever. Honestly, I’m not even sure he likes girls, but he isn’t the dating type. There are rumors about him hooking up with both sexes, but who knows what’s true? He’s got to be an alien or something. Nothing else makes sense.”

I wanted to argue, to call her dramatic, but a part of me wondered if she was right. Kreed Corvo didn’t make sense. The way he spoke, the way he acted, it was like he was wired differently.

“I might agree with you.” But did that mean I was semi-attracted to life from another planet? I mean, I hated Kreed, but I could also appreciate beauty even if it didn’t match on the inside.

“So, what was it like?” Poppy asked with an impish glint in her golden eyes.

“Waking up in his lap?” I clarified.

“I was thinking of something more specific and firm.”

I choked. “You want dick details.”

She grinned. “Yes, please. Immediately.”

To save time, we ordered our food and drinks together. “I didn’t see it. I just felt it a little,” I said after the waiter left.

“A little ora lot?” she wagged her brows.

“Poppy!”

“What?” she exclaimed, batting her thick, black lashes. “You’d only be answering the question the entire Elmwood Public female population is burning to know.”

I lounged back in my seat, rubbing my cold hands together. “If I weren’t concerned with being mobbed, I might be willing to share.”

“Okay, just me. I promise I won’t tell a soul.”

A deep breath filled my lungs. “So…what do I do?”

Poppy tapped her chin. “Start a rumor. Say you’re dating him. Give him a taste of his own medicine.”

I blinked. “You’re joking.”

“I was. But now that I think about it… It could be genius.”

My lips pressed together. The idea was reckless. Stupid. Dangerous. But something about it called to me. If Kreed wanted to screw with my reputation, maybe it was time I played the game, too. “What do I have to lose?”

We were sharing a plate of nachos, which the server placed in the center of the table. Poppy reached for a chip. “Nothing but your soul.”

I met Poppy’s gaze. “Will you help me?”

A slow, wicked smile stretched across her lips. “Thought you’d never ask. And lucky for you, I know exactly where to start. There’s a party this weekend. Kreed will be there.” She popped the cheesy tortilla chip in her mouth.

I went for one loaded with guacamole. “How do you know?”

She crunched on another mouthful. “I have a source.”

Intrigue had my brows raising. “Who?”

She plucked a jalapeno from the plate. “Nash.”

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