Page 23 of Crown of Death
But I force a laugh. And I’m sure I don’t have to fakeblushing.
“No, not Eli,” I say, rolling my eyes and trying to look annoyed—instead of terrified. “But, I did kind of meet someone. And I did kind of stay over lastnight.”
It’s not entirely alie.
Just not entirely the full truth of last night and this morning’sinsanity.
“Oh, my gosh,” she says, shuffling forward, tucking her towel so it doesn’t fall. She takes my hands in hers. “Tell me. His name. Is he hot? Is he good in bed? Are you going away for a romantic, spontaneousweek?”
I make myself smile, and tell myself that I have to sell this. I have to make her believeit.
“His name is Collin,” I lie, and I hardly even hesitate in replacing Cyrus with Collin. “He’s…dangerous looking.” Not a lie, whatsoever. But I wiggle my eyebrows to sell it to my best friend. “And I dare say he has some experience up hissleeve.”
She squeals, throwing her arms around me. “This is amazing, Lo. I mean, I really thought that eventually you and Eli would hook up. But this is even better! When can I meet this new, dangerousCollin?”
My stomachplummets.
Never.
Never, ever,ever.
“I don’t know,” I say, turning and finishing packing my things. “Maybe when we get back. We’re going to his cabin in Fairhope for a few days. I already got work off. I guess it depends how thisgoes.”
“This must be pretty serious if you’re already going on vacation with a guy you just met last night,” she says, coming to sit on the edge of my bed. “Are you sure about this, Lo? I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m super excited about it, but it doesn’t really seem like…you?”
I sigh, and zip my bag closed. She’s right. Maybe I’m just too harsh and picky, but I rarely find anyone to date that doesn’t just annoyme.
I shrug, arching an eyebrow as I turn to face her again. “Who knows, maybe this is the beginning of a newlife.”
She smiles, and follows me as I haul my bagout.
I stop at the front door. “You and Tanner should go ahead and get engaged.Soon.”
“Why?” she asks, her brows furrowing in my sudden change ofdirection.
I smile, though I’m sure it doesn’t look genuine. “Because you love each other. And…life isshort.”
Amelia gives me a little confused look, but just shakes her head. She gives me another hug, and opens the door forme.
“Oh my…” she says, staring out. The SUV is parked right at the bottom of the stairs. “Is thathim?”
Sure enough, from up here, we can see the bottom half of Cyrus’face.
“Yeah,” I say around the claws around mythroat.
“Um, you failed to mention that he is hot as sin,” she goads. “And apparently loaded if he has his owndriver.”
I think I make a little noise, hopefully in theaffirmative.
Amelia gives a wistful sigh. “You have fun. And be careful. Call me when you figure the phone situationout.”
“’K,” I say, looking back at her as I step out onto thelanding.
It won’t be the last time I see her. I’ll make sure of that. But it feels like a goodbye, all thesame.
“Logan,” a voice calls from inside the car, sending a finger shiver down myspine.
I turn and walk down the stairs. Fredrick hops out, opening the back and taking my bag. He opens the door for me, and I climb in beside Cyrus oncemore.