Page 51 of Power Play

Why did I think it was a good idea to invite Angie to Maya’s and my Disney marathons? She’s been insufferable about sendingFrozengifs. I swear she has one for every situation.

I take off my apron, put it on my worktable, and head out of the garage. Glancing down at my loose gray tee and black leggings, I consider changing my clothes but then decide against it. I look fine.

Stopping in front of the mirror in the hallway, I quickly style my hair into a little bun and secure it with my hairpin. I definitely need to wash my hair before I go to bed tonight.

“Ready to go?” I ask. Maya zips out of her room with two more plush toys in her hands. “Sweetheart, do you remember what Coop almost did to one of your plushies? Maybe you should keep some of them at home? Take just one?”

She shakes her head, clutching her toys harder to her chest. Upon quick examination, I notice Pua, Skye fromPaw Patrol, and also a little avocado. I hope Coop won’t try to steal any of them. Last time, I spent around thirty minutes sewing Pua’s leg back on.

“Let’s go then.” Opening the door, I let Maya out first and then follow her outside. Thank God Drake and Angie live next door. “I’ll call the client I’ve been waiting for once you’re with Angie and Drake, and then I’ll come over too.”

“Great!” Her steps are bouncing, causing her pigtails to swing back and forth. I smile, watching her climb the stairs. My heart is so full of love for her.

The moment I knock on the door, I hear a car pull into our driveway. Looking over my shoulder, I see a black Kia Sportage. I pinch my eyebrows together, barely paying attention as Drake opens the door. My eyes meet his for a moment. I give him aquick smile, then I jab my thumb over my shoulder at the car. “I’ll be back. That’s my new client.”

“Sure.” Drake nods and scoops Maya into his arms and closes the door as he asks her about her day in preschool.

I hurry down the stairs as the girl jumps out of her car. My heart goes pitter-patter as I swallow the bile clogging my throat. My regret for not changing my clothes brings a bitter taste to my mouth. I’m like a moth compared to this girl. Like a big, fat moth. She’s absolutely gorgeous, dammit.

Her long blond hair is straight and glows brightly in the late afternoon sun. Her heels clicking on the pavement echo the rattling of my heart, which is now thundering in my chest. She’s in a black bodycon dress with a cut-out front, showing off her taut midriff and long legs. But what kills me is the dashing smile on her beautiful face.

“Hey, you must be Dylan,” I say, or more like croak. My voice is hoarse.

I’m a fucking toad.

“Hey. Layla, right?” she asks, and I nod. “I’m so, so sorry I’m late! I got a last-minute call and left the house in such a hurry—I completely forgot to call you. I feel awful.”

“It’s fine. I didn’t have any plans, so I have nowhere to be.”

She reaches over and pats my hand. “Still, I’m very sorry.”

I smile at her friendly face. “Will you wait for me here? Or do you want to?—”

“Here, if that’s okay. I’m going to be late for my friend’s party if I don’t leave in the next five minutes.”

“I got you.” I wink at her. Why do I fucking wink at her? Wheeling around, I go into my garage, snatch the bouquet from the table, and return to Dylan. Her mouth opens, and her eyes widen in shock. “Here you go.” I extend the flowers to her.

“OMG—this is a work of art. I can’t believe it!” She takes the bouquet and buries her face in it, inhaling deeply. “And the fragrance! I swear it’s the most stunning bouquet I’ve ever seen.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“I love it, girl.” She pulls her wallet from her purse, fishes out a hundred bucks, and hands it to me. “I know you said seventy, but for this masterpiece, and your time—you deserve more.”

“Dylan—”

“No, take it.” She takes a step back, a wide grin splitting her lips. “I’m going to talk all my friends’ ears off about you and your business. You totally got yourself a new regular.”

“Thanks. I really appreciate it.”

She opens her car door and puts the bouquet on the passenger seat. “I’ll need to thank Clay for giving me your number. You two are a godsend.”

The skip in the beat of my heart strikes me hard, and my genuine smile transforms into a grimace. “Yeah, I’ll need to thank him too. How did you guys meet, by the way?”

“Oh.” Dylan laughs, throwing her head back. “We’re neighbors, actually. And I might have a little—or not so little—crush on him. I mean, have you seen the guy?”

I’m going to puke.“He sure is…handsome.”

“Handsome and so fucking sweet. At least he has been all the times I’ve met him.” She sighs dreamily, but when she brings her eyes to my face, she doesn’t seem happy. “He made it clear he’s not interested, though, and I respect that. But a girl can look, right?”

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