Page 28 of Layla Meets Her Match

Despite the fact that Lincoln comes to the bakery truck almost right at opening on Monday morning, we’re still so busy that I barely get to talk to him. Astrid and I have fallen into a system. Whoever’s up grabs two orders while the other one moves on. So all I get to do is say, “Great game!” right before I take his order, and he thanks me and then has to move to the side while the guy behind him slowly orders six different things.

“Dairy delivery!” a voice calls cheerfully. I turn to glance over my shoulder to see a young man entering the back of the truck. His parents own a tiny farm outside of the city in Acton. Landon had him as a student last year in one of the business classes he taught, and Mila loves getting farm fresh ingredients from them. She sets Lincoln’s box of chocolate chip cookies down and moves to accept the delivery.

“Hey, Brock!” I greet him before turning back to my customer.

A few minutes later, Brock leaves since things are too busy for a chat, and Mila hands out Lincoln’s cookies. “Movie and game night at Eli’s tonight,” she says. “Did he tell you?”

Lincoln darts a gaze at me and nods. “He mentioned something, but he didn’t give me details.”

“Come over after practice,” Mila says. “I’m bringing all the day-old stuff for snacks.”

“I’ll be there for sure, then.” Lincoln beams at her and then waves at me before jogging off down the street.

“You guys are invited too,” Mila says, returning to the back of the truck. “Of course.”

“I’ll be there,” I say and then lean over to sneak a kiss from Margot. She squeals and opens her mouth wide, so I risk another second of delay and press my cheek against it for a slobbery kiss from her.

“I don’t know,” Astrid says the next time she gets up to grab an order. “I think it would be weird.”

I shake my head while I run a credit card. “Zane doesn’t usually hang out with us.” I look back at Mila for confirmation that Eli wouldn’t have included him.

She nods. “He comes over for barbecues sometimes, but that’s just when Eli invites everyone. Tonight it will be closer friends,” she says.

Astrid presses her lips together as she sits back down and hands out her order, and then she shrugs. “Okay. I’ll come. That does sound fun.”

I reach over and pat her shoulder. “Of course it will be.” I pull my phone out while I listen to my next order, and then I tap out a text when I get up to grab it.

Layla: Astrid is coming over tonight for movie and game night. Got another teammate to set her up with?

I don’t know the specifics of the guys’ schedules while they’re at the facility, so I have no idea how long it will be before Lincoln answers. I also have to chide myself on how much I’m anticipating a text from him. He texted me from the plane on his way home, telling me about his dinner with his parents, and then we just slipped into easy conversation about life. Lincoln has heard about the new LA Lights spinoff too, and he’s hoping my character gets a spot. Would you do it if they asked? he texted at one point. My heart had pounded, and I’d said maybe without even thinking about it. It’s so easy to be honest with him. I know he’ll understand that I can say maybe and still not be able to do it. He’ll get that I want to but it might not be the right time.

Landon comes and picks up Margot just before lunch. He’s done that a lot since we reopened, and he knows how busy it is. If he doesn’t have class or doesn’t need to be in his office, he’ll come down and hold her while he runs orders, or just take her back to the college and teach with her. His students are just as in love with Margot as the rest of us are. Sometimes I can’t help giggling as I think of her as a spoiled toddler with all these adults doting on her. She’s so lucky.

We both are.

Lincoln’s response comes at lunchtime, but it’s several minutes before I can look at it. Astrid and I stagger our lunches before and after the rush, and mine isn’t until after.

Lincoln: Is she dating someone else? Zane got the feeling she was.

Layla: There’s an actor who likes her, but she deserves better.

Lincoln: I’ll think of someone.

Layla: You’re the best.

We end up closing down the food truck at around five because Mila has sold out of everything, except for the day-old stuff she’d already stashed for the party. We parked close enough to our apartments that Margot and I enjoy a leisurely walk home. Just as I shut the door behind us, my phone rings, and Zora’s picture grins up at me as I pull my phone out.

“Hey, Zora,” I answer as I unbuckle Margot.

“I just got off the phone with Bruno Rattan. They want Sloane Campbell, RN in the new LA Lights spinoff. They’re sending over the pilot script to you tonight.”

I blink, freezing in place until Margot squawks, rocking in her stroller and calling, “Uh, uh,” her baby way of getting me to pick her up. I swing her up onto my hip. “What?”

“Girl. Everyone loved the Sloane-Leclair Ship! Of course they want you in the pilot.” Zora’s voice is excited, one of the things I always loved about her. She’s not jaded in this business, and before, when I was actively looking for parts, she always seemed as excited as me when I’d get parts, and not just because it meant money in her pocket.

“Zora. I don’t know if I can do that right now.” I set Margot on the rug and plop down next to her. She’s already scooching herself toward the basket of toys that’s scattered around the edge of the rug.

“Please just promise me you’ll read the script before you decide. And it’s a large ensemble cast, like Lights is. Your days won’t be crazy, probably closer to six or eight hours.”

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