Would he last the summer?
Or would he burn out in a week and never return?
The choice was his. All she could do was wait and see.
TWENTY-EIGHT
WORK B**CH
Layla parked Mateo’s Jeep just behind Aster’s Mercedes, scrolling through the comments left on her blog, as she waited for Aster to finish admiring herself in her rearview mirror.
Just as expected, the story she’d written, based on one of Heather’s photos of Madison’s face hovering suspiciously close to a tabletop, was a hit. The comments section almost evenly divided between Madison worshippers who refused to believe it, and Madison haters who’d suspected all along. Though it was starting to lean toward the latter.
In the end, it didn’t matter what the majority thought. The seed had been planted, and Madison deserved nothing less.
BEAUTIFUL IDOLS
Snow Angel
I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of anything sadder than the picture that follows. Either that tabletop is rocking an irresistible winter-fresh scent—Madison Brooks has a serious case of undiagnosed narcolepsy—or, more likely, America’s sweetheart has just hoovered up a nostril full of nose candy. . . .
Aster’s door closed with a thunk, prompting Layla to shove her phone in her bag and scramble out of the Jeep to catch up. Determined to reach Aster before she went inside Jewel, Layla called for her to stop, only to watch Aster roll her eyes and keep going.
“Heard you had a good night last night.” Layla moved alongside her, knowing she’d clinched it when Aster paused, waiting for Tommy, Karly, and Brittany to wander inside before facing her.
“What do you want?” She placed a hand on her hip, tapped her foot against the sidewalk. Trying to come off as haughty and cool, but there was a crack in the veneer, and it was about to get worse.
“I’m ready to collect.” Layla kept her tone friendly. No need to alarm her just yet. Watching as Aster shifted from cool to irritated in a handful of seconds. “Don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten our deal. The one where you sold your soul for a chance to promote Night for Night.”
“So you’re confirming you really are Satan. I’m sure that will come as a surprise to absolutely no one.” Aster shook her head and waited for Zion and Sydney to go in before she continued. “Look, can we settle this later?”
“I’m sure Ira won’t mind if his prize pony’s late.” Layla studied Aster’s perfectly made-up face, her shiny hair, her ridiculously long legs spilling out of a pair of pink shorts. She had that wealthy, privileged, well-tended look that Layla could never achieve even if she tried. And she wouldn’t. But still.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
It wasn’t meant to mean much of anything. But the way Aster’s mouth twitched told Layla she’d hit a nerve she’d be sure to explore. “It means you’re everyone’s favorite, Ira included.”
“Yeah, well, guess you wouldn’t know about that. Seeing as how you have a gift for making enemies.”
Layla grinned, deciding to humor her. It was one of the perks of having the upper hand. “Not everyone can be as popular and sought after as you.”
Aster fiddled with the strap on her Louis Vuitton purse and gazed toward the door leading to Jewel. “Your point is?”
“I want you to bring Ryan Hawthorne to Jewel along with all his celebrity friends. And I want you to do it under my name.”
“Um, okay.” Aster tossed her hair over her shoulder and made for the club. “I’ll get right on that!” She laughed as though Layla was joking.
“You can laugh, or you can consider.”
“Reasonable requests will be considered. That request is beyond pathetic, even for you.”
“Your choice.” Layla shrugged, watching her go. “Guess I’ll just have to send this pic of you and Ryan kissing to Perez Hilton, TMZ, Page Six, Gawker, Popsugar, Just Jared—have I missed anyone?”
Aster froze.
“Oh, of course!” Layla gave a cartoon slap to her forehead. “Madison Brooks! I bet she’d just love to know about this latest development.”
Aster slowly faced Layla.