Page 31 of Layla Meets Her Match

She bounces again, keeping close to me. “I hope so. I’ve told Mila and Landon, but that’s it. I need to keep a lid on it until it’s officially announced.” She laughs again. “I haven’t even officially accepted. I just got the script today.”

“Your secret is safe with me,” I assure her. I glance up at the people in Eli’s family room. He’s returned and is sitting on the couch with Court. No one else is paying attention to me and Layla except for Astrid, who’s standing at the counter with the guys who just came in, glancing back and forth between them and us. Landon catches my eye as he guides Mila over to the couch to sit next to Court, and he gives me a thumbs-up. I’m tempted to roll my eyes at him, or maybe shoot him back a thumbs-up of my own. My friends are all behind this last-minute game night, just like the way they’ve been planning parties, get-togethers, and barbecues all summer.

I should let Layla go over and talk to Astrid, who only knows her, Mila, and Landon. But selfishly, I don’t want to. Not quite yet. Marek and Shurn, my other teammates here, both have girlfriends, but Astrid will be fine with them for a few more minutes.

“Can I take you out to celebrate?” I ask. “You and Margot,” I add, so she knows it’s another friend thing.

Her cheeks turn pink, but she nods, still smiling. “Yeah, that would be fun.” She reaches up and puts a hand on my arm. “I am sorry about how it seems like someone might be out to get you. I just couldn’t hold the news in any longer.”

“Considering I haven’t been a victim yet, maybe I’m not taking it as seriously as I should.” I grimace.

She keeps her hand on my arm, even as she glances around and lowers her voice. “It might be time for Mila to call the police. That one instance, even if it wasn’t enough to hurt someone, maybe seemed like a prank, but twice now? Someone’s going to get more than sick if it keeps up.” She turns back to me. “I can’t believe you show up every day at Mila’s to buy cookies for other people. You’re such a good friend.” She shakes her head a little, but with that smile of admiration, it makes heat flood into my cheeks. I didn’t think there was any way she didn’t realize how big my crush is on her, that I come to the bakery truck for her every day. But she thinks I come to support Mila. I almost burst into laughter at the notion.

I can only shrug in response, and she doesn’t say anything more.

“Lincoln!” a voice says, making me turn to see Astrid approaching us. I feel, more than see, Layla taking a step back from me. “Mila just told me about the cookies,” Astrid says, her expression stricken. “Are you okay?”

“Luckily I hadn’t eaten any yet,” I reply.

“Oh!” Surprise registers on her face before she sighs with almost exaggerated relief. “I’m so glad.” She stretches out the O in “so” and leans forward to hug me. “That would not be good if you got sick,” she says into my chest.

I pat her on the back, feeling awkward with her familiarity. Maybe I shouldn’t. We did all go on a date together, and she could just be affectionate. I’m just an awkward guy.

She steps back quickly and flashes me a smile. “I hope this doesn’t deter you from visiting the bakery truck every morning.”

I flash a glance at Layla, noticing that she’s standing stiffly at my side and has taken another step away. “No way,” I insist.

For a second I think Astrid’s almost disappointed, but then her smile widens, and I’m pretty sure I must have misread the millisecond it seemed like she was frowning. She nudges me with her elbow. “Good,” she says.

Movement from the corner of my eye shows me that Layla has walked away. I turn, watching her cross the family room to drop onto the couch next to Mila, who gives her a big grin and starts cooing at Margot.

“Ready for games?” I ask Astrid, already turning away so I can go sit next to Layla. My friends set this night up for me, and I intend to do my part. I motion with my head toward the couch and then head over to drop into the seat next to Layla.

Astrid follows. She sits on the ottoman across from Layla and leans in close. “Kipp says there’s going to be an LA Lights spinoff, and everyone is talking about it,” she whispers. “That it’s going to be a medical show. Have you heard anything?”

Layla nonchalantly lets Mila take Margot from her arms and then head down the hallway. “Yeah, I’ve heard about it.”

She’s the best actress I’ve ever seen. Five minutes ago, her eyes held joy and excitement that she was getting hired. Now she’s cool as a cucumber. If she hadn’t just told me, I’d already be on the phone with Nick, fighting for him to push harder to get her on the show.

Astrid grabs her hands and shakes them. “Oh, I hope they put Sloane on the show. You would be so great!”

Layla pulls her hands from Astrid’s to envelop her in a hug. “Thanks, Astrid.”

She’s such a master. I’m also a thousand percent smitten.

“I think Mila just stole your baby and hid her away somewhere,” I say when Mila comes back without Margot.

Layla chuckles. “I wouldn’t put it past her, but her story is that she was putting Margot to bed for me.”

“I thought babies only wanted their moms at bedtime.” I settle back, glad that the squishy couch means that Layla’s shoulder pushes up against mine when she settles back too.

“Sometimes Margot gets picky about it, but Landon and Mila have been there with her every day almost as much as me. I’m half worried she’ll say Mama to Mila first.” She grins, showing it’s not a real worry.

“I’m glad you have friends like that to help you.” I hold back the words that I want to be one of those friends too.

She smiles contentedly as she looks around the room. “Yeah.”

We start off playing Pictionary, and as soon as Mila partners me and Layla up, I wonder if this is the moment that the gig is up. It has to be obvious, right? That Mila is doing this to matchmake us, and at my bidding? But Layla just grins and fist-bumps me.

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