Free Unrivaled by Alyson Noël Page B

Layla, trying to determine why she was interested in Ira’s contest. She assumed most people were after the money, but something about Layla told her it wasn’t just that. Still, money was the only thing she could think to offer. “I’ll give you my share of the first week’s marketing money.”
    Layla rolled her eyes. “Please, you drive a Mercedes. A C-Class, but still a Mercedes. I don’t want your money, I want something that will truly cost you.”
    Aster was shocked by the snub. A C-Class Mercedes beat a cheap bike any day, but whatever; Layla was trying to get to her and Aster wouldn’t fall for it. “Name it,” Aster said, ready for this to be over.
    â€œI will. Just as soon as I think of something.”
    Aster’s eyes widened. She couldn’t be serious, could she?
    Layla paused long enough for a foreign tour group to go by, their leader excitedly pointing out all the landmarks the locals never even bothered to look at. “I’ll let you knowwhen I decide,” she finally said.
    â€œI’m not comfortable with that,” Aster snapped.
    â€œThat sounds more like your problem than mine.” Layla shrugged. “And don’t even think about trying to back out when payday comes around, because I will hold you to it.”
    Aster gnawed the inside of her cheek, a nervous habit she’d yet to cure herself of. “You’re not going to ask for the soul of my firstborn child or something, are you?”
    Layla rolled her eyes. “Why would I want your illegitimate mistake?”
    Aster sighed. The girl was a nightmare. Who knew what she’d demand? Well, she’d deal with it later. For now she had Night for Night, and that was all that really mattered. “Guess you’re representing Jewel,” she said.
    Layla shrugged like she didn’t care either way, leaving Aster to second-guess the deal she’d just struck as she watched the other girl walk away.
    â€œYou convince her?” Tommy called, as Aster made her way back.
    Aster nodded, wondering if she looked as shaken as she felt. “I feel like I just made a deal with the devil, but yeah, it’s done.”
    â€œHope it turns out to be worth it.” Tommy squinted against the sun, eyeing her carefully.
    She shrugged, clicked her key fob, and unlocked her car. Remembering her manners, something that had been inshort supply all day, she looked over her shoulder and said, “Hey, Tommy—good luck with the Vesper.”
    â€œGood luck to you.” He grinned.
    The competition had officially begun.

NINE
SUMMERTIME SADNESS
    L ayla stepped out of the shower and reached for a towel at the same moment there was a knock at the door.
    â€œI’ll get it,” Mateo offered, pausing a moment to grin appreciatively at the sight of Layla naked before heading down the hall.
    She wrapped the towel around herself and pulled a comb through her hair. It looked awful, more neglected than usual, like the hair of an overstressed soccer mom who’d run out of Xanax. She should try harder. Maybe do something with the color. Though she doubted she would. It was bad enough she’d worn a pair of toe-numbing stilettos in order to look the part for the interview. If she started highlighting her hair, where would it end? Scouring Pinterest boards, looking for nail art ideas? Sherefused to be that girl.
    Then again, Mateo had exhibited some major appreciation for the shoes. Especially when she’d kept them on well after everything else had come off. And lately, making Mateo happy went a long way toward alleviating her guilt over not telling him she was working for Ira. She wanted to. She just hadn’t found the right time. But tonight she’d tell him for sure. It was her first official day on the job, and the last thing she wanted was for Mateo to discover the truth on his own.
    She rubbed some moisturizer into her skin, letting the towel slowly drop to