Unrivaled (Beautiful Idols 1)

“Believe me,” Aster said. “I’m already regretting that.”

“Maybe so, but deal’s a deal,” Tommy reminded her. “I did my part, now you do yours.”

“What deal? What’s going on?” Layla glanced between them.

“Aster wants to switch clubs.”

“Um, hello! I’m right here and I can speak for myself!” Aster shook her head. Maybe she should just stick with the Vesper; it would be better than dealing with this. But who was she kidding? It was a disaster in the making. Besides, she was still convinced this was all part of some weird game Ira was playing.

“Then why’d you ask me to help?”

“I asked you to help me find her, not to—ugh, just forget it, Okay? Listen.” Aster faced them both. “Here’s the deal. We all want each other’s clubs. So I’m proposing we put our personal feelings aside and—”

“I don’t want your club.” Layla made her way out the door and onto a street crowded with tourists, as Aster and Tommy rushed to follow.

“You’re seriously trying to tell me you want Night for Night? You wouldn’t prefer Jewel?”

Layla stopped. “What’s the difference? A club’s a club.”

“You can’t be serious!” Aster cried, scowling at a guy wearing a Superman costume that looked ratty and decrepit under the glare of the bright summer sun. It probably smelled bad too. And yet there was no shortage of tourists willing to pay to take pictures with costume-wearing weirdos like him. Sometimes people completely boggled her brain. Layla included.

“Way to negotiate.” Tommy laughed, which only annoyed Aster more, mostly because he was right. This whole thing was a mess, and it was all her fault. Something about these two pushed all her buttons. Normally she had no problem making friends and keeping her cool.

“There’s a big difference,” Aster said, determined to rein herself in. “And Layla, you’re far more suited to Jewel.”

“And why’s that?” She folded her arms across her chest, guarding against whatever insult Aster might sling.

“Because it’s sharp, modern, and eccentric. All the things Tommy’s not, but you are.”

“Oh.” Layla seemed to visibly relax, if only a little. “So let me get this straight. Tommy wants your club, and you want my club.”

“Yes.” Aster stood uncertainly before her. Surely even Layla could see the logic in her plan.

“Well, good luck to you both.”

Layla made for her bike, as Aster hurried alongside her and Tommy stayed put. “Just give me a minute,” Aster called after her. “That’s all I ask.”

To her surprise, Layla stopped and looked pointedly at the time on her phone.

“Listen, I’m sorry for what happened earlier.” Aster fought to catch her breath, the words hurried but heartfelt. “Truly. But if you’ll just—”

“Tell me.” Layla cocked her head and narrowed her gaze, and despite the way her features sharpened, Aster was surprised to find she was actually pretty. “If you’d gotten Night for Night, would you have tried to apologize?”

Aster took a moment to answer, unsure how to play it. “Honestly?” she finally relented. “Probably not.”

Layla nodded, seemingly satisfied. “So, what’s in it for me?”

Aster studied 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.

“I 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 know when I decide,” she finally said.