Page 30 of Layla Meets Her Match

“Nah,” Hurley says. “They were planning on coming all day. Mark called just a few minutes ago.”

Sudden onset of an illness. This doesn’t feel like a coincidence. My stomach squirms more, but maybe I’m overreacting.

“I gave the cookies I got at the truck this morning to Mark,” I say, hoping one of my friends knows something that will dismiss more food poisoning as the cause.

Eli glances over at Mila, who turns to him. “What?” she asks, moving closer, and I can tell she’s only heard part of the conversation.

“Linc gave the cookies he bought at your truck this morning to Mark,” Eli says.

Mila’s eyes widen, and she looks at me. “That’s probably not a coincidence that they’re sick, is it?” Mila whispers, horrorstruck.

A pit forms in my stomach. No. It can’t be.

Layla comes up next to Mila, Margot on her hip, and I realize I’ve been so caught up in Mark’s kids being sick that I didn’t even realize she was already here. First the cookies I took to Mrs. Van Buren and her friends, and now the ones I brought to Mark. Is it something in my Bronco? No, it can’t be. Landon’s friend said it was arsenic the first time.

“I’ll check our social pages,” Layla says, but her expression says the same thing the rest of us are thinking. There isn’t going to be anything, just like the first time.

“No, it can’t be a coincidence,” Landon says, joining the conversation. “And I don’t think it’s a coincidence that it’s only happened to stuff that Linc is buying.” He stares at me. “Either someone is targeting you specifically, or they’re hoping to bring down Mila’s business by poisoning someone high profile.”

Mila gasps and squeezes his arm. “Lincoln!” She looks devastated to think that someone is using her to hurt me. Or hurting her through me.

Layla looks at me, squinting. “Is this your diet plan you were so secretive about?” she says with an arch of her eyebrow. “You never eat the stuff you buy?”

I can’t help the laugh that escapes, despite the circumstances. Margot copies me and claps her hands. I reach out toward her, asking Layla with my eyes if I can hold her. She hands her over.

“I kept a couple for myself,” I defend myself. It takes a second to settle Margot into a natural position in my arms, but I finally hold her close to my chest, her sitting on my forearm. I ignore the knowing looks everyone in the circle casts me, and then realize I’ve started swaying.

“Well, don’t eat them!” Mila cries.

Landon puts an arm around her and pulls her close. “I’ll swing by your house on the way home. We should have Dillon test it and see if it’s arsenic again,” Landon says.

“Of course.” I’ve heard Layla say before that snuggling Margot is a natural way to instantly reduce anxiety, and I think she’s right. Despite how serious this discovery is about the cookies and more poisoning happening, holding Margot makes everything feel doable. Maybe holding her needs to be part of my pregame ritual. I’d be unstoppable.

First things first. I should figure out a way to date her mom.

“I’ll call Mark,” Eli says. “Make sure they don’t eat anymore.” He pulls his phone out of his pocket and heads into the kitchen, where it’s a little quieter.

The doorbell rings, and Hurley slips away from our little huddle to go get it. A couple more players from the offense arrive, and Astrid walks in behind them.

I lean over closer to Layla. “Sorry, I couldn’t find someone who could come today, but we’ll set her up with someone else. Promise.” I don’t want to let her down on this. I know Layla, and I know she wants what’s best for her friend. Margot gives a squeal and reaches for her mom.

She waves my comment off. “That’s fine.” She takes Margot smoothly. “She’s tired,” Layla says. “Don’t take it personally.”

“She also barely knows me,” I point out. Something I’d like to change.

“She screamed in Eli’s arms earlier. It broke his heart.” She presses her lips together to hold back a laugh.

“Poor Eli.” I don’t suppress my own chuckle.

She leans toward me, and I’m instantly aware of the light floral scent of her perfume mixed with a sweet baby scent that I recognize but can’t place. I take a discreet deep breath and let my thoughts wander just for a second about pulling Layla into my arms, Margot and all.

“I know this is the wrong time,” she says, “but can I tell you something?” There’s hope in her eyes and a tiny smile on her lips that she bites down on to try and hide, but her eyes are glowing.

“Of course.”

She bounces and leans even closer. Don’t react, Linc. Don’t react. She’s so excited about whatever it is she’s going to tell me that she might not even notice if I hauled her into my arms. Her tiny smile has grown, and it gets even wider as she says in a low voice, “My agent called today. They’re doing a spinoff of LA Lights. A medical show, and they want my character.” Her voice goes up in excitement at the end.

“Layla, that’s awesome!” I lean over and hug her, picking her up because it’s so easy to do. I love her news. It’s a perfect excuse to do what I’d just been thinking about. She gasps out a laugh before I remember myself and set her back down. It was the obvious thing to do, right? In celebration. But I’m a moron. We’re just friends, even if the way both she and Margot fit against me were so perfect. I clear my throat and try to temper my own excitement, since I can see Hurley side-eyeing me with a knowing grin. “I’m so glad I’m getting more of Sloane. Everyone will be.”

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