Unrivaled (Beautiful Idols 1)

“I’d like to request a different club.” There was no way she’d fit in at the Vesper, and someone as business savvy as Ira should’ve known that. She wondered if he was testing her, testing all of them.

Ira studied her for a long moment. “Then I guess you’ll have to find someone to trade with.” He left without another word, leaving his assistants to pass out the piles of legal forms.

Aster shoved the forms in her purse. She needed to get to the three other people who got Night for Night that she hadn’t almost run over.

“It’s Sydney, right?” Aster approached the girl who, from what Aster could tell, was wearing a full bodysuit of tattoos.

She was about to compliment Sydney on her septum piercing, anything to get on her good side, when Sydney snapped, “Don’t bother. I already traded with Taylor.” She turned away before Aster could react to the snub.

She headed for Diego and Jin on the other side of the room, but when she got there, they were already negotiating with Brittney and Ash, which left only Layla.

Great.

And on top of that, Layla was gone.

“Hey—Aster?”

She turned to find Tommy standing behind her.

“I was wondering if you were up for a trade?”

“Not unless you go

t Night for Night, which we both know you didn’t.” She raced for the door. Layla had probably already left, and Aster needed to reach her while she still had a chance. But when she replayed her words, she forced herself to turn back. She’d already made one enemy. She didn’t need to start a collection. “Sorry,” she said. “That was uncalled for.”

“Won’t argue with that.” Tommy’s face broke into a grin that made his eyes gleam. Maybe he was cuter than she’d first thought.

“It’s just—I really want Night for Night.”

“Well, Jewel’s a closer match than the Vesper, no?”

Sure it was better, but better wasn’t good enough. “Can you help me get to Layla?” she asked, hoping he’d made a better impression than she had.

He ran a hand over his chin and shot her a skeptical look. “Doubtful,” he said.

“Would you be willing to at least try?” She gave him her best grin, the one she saved for auditions and head shots.

“Depends.” He folded his arms across his chest and shifted his weight to his heels, like he had all the time in the world. “What’s in it for me?”

“The Vesper.” She shrugged. “That’s what you want, right?”

He studied her for a moment, then led her to the entry, where Layla was talking on her phone, until she saw Aster and Tommy and hastily ended the call.

“Can I help you?” She frowned.

Tommy hooked a thumb toward Aster. “I was thinking you two should meet.”

“We’ve met—” Layla turned away. “She nearly killed me in pursuit of a parking space.”

“And I want to apologize for that.” Aster hurried alongside her.

“So, it’s true.” Tommy looked amused by the news.

“No, it’s not true,” Aster snapped. “I didn’t even see her. It was all a big misunderstanding.”

“Oh, you saw me.” Layla whirled on her. “Don’t even try to pretend like you didn’t.”

“No wonder you needed me to mediate.” Tommy looked at Aster, shaking his head.