Sophia rolls her eyes. “Looks aren’t everything, Stewart.”

“You know me. I’m only interested in her mind,” he says, winking. “But no wonder Garrett was into her.”

“That’s a rumor. You don’t know what happened. No one does,” Rayelle says.

My ears perk up. “What are you talking about?” I busy myself slicing my steak, pretending I’m not that interested.

“Garrett was Faye’s assistant in last year’s Initiation Heist, and something went wrong,” Rayelle whispers. “It was bad. They almost didn’t complete their mission.”

“Most people think they were hooking up and lost track of time,” Sophia says.

“This was pre-Chloe, of course,” Stewart says. “It’ll be interesting to see who Garrett picks this year. Chloe’s the obvious choice, but after last year maybe he’ll play it safe, pick someone who won’t be a distraction—”

“Rumor has it you passed Weiss’s handcuff test in record time,” an amused voice says from behind me. I flinch, heat surging to my cheeks at the thought that he might have heard us talking at the same time goose bumps shoot up my arms. My insides immediately buzz.

Rayelle and Sophia snap to attention, and Stewart has the good sense to shut up.

Garrett towers above me with Chloe draped over his shoulder. I glance around to see if he means someone else, but his eyes are on me.

“I guess…”

“Looks like you have competition.” He nudges Chloe.

She frowns. “She got lucky with Weiss. I heard Allard has been tutoring her—she probably knew what was coming. But nobody knows what’s on the obstacle course. She won’t be able to cheat next time.”

My jaw twitches, and I square my shoulders. “I didn’t cheat, but I’m sorry you’re so insecure you can’t handle another girl succeeding.”

Stewart almost spits out his salmon.

Instead of dignifying me with a response, Chloe curls closer to Garrett, tugging on his collar. “Why are we wasting our time with these hacks? Let’s go.”

He allows himself to be pulled away, but not before smiling at me and saying, “Nice, Ellie.”

“Elisha,” I correct him.

Pressing his lips together in a smirk, he walks off. As soon as he’s gone, the energy fizzing in my spine disappears.

“I’d rather be a hacker than a decoy,” Stewart mutters.

“What was that about?” Rayelle squeaks.

“I don’t know,” I say. “They have it out for me. I think it’s because I’m new.”

The three of them look at one another, biting their lips.

“I don’t know what you all see in him, anyway,” I say.

“Did you see the same boy we saw?” Stewart asks. “Because the boy we saw is seriously fine.”

“Yes, he’s cute—” I say.

“Cute?” Stewart says. “Nobody would call him cute. Puppies are cute. A hamster wearing a top hat and bow tie is cute.”

I roll my eyes. “Fine. He’s hot.”

Stewart’s fingers curl, gesturing for me to give him more.

“Hotter than hot. Like surface of the sun hot,” I say, my cheeks on fire. “Caliente.”