"Lilac." Layla called from the couch, twisting around to look. "Hey."
"Sorry to bother. Bad time?"
"No, no. What's up?"
"My cousin just dumped her kid on me so she and her husband could go out for dinner." Lilac let out a soft, almost private laugh and covered her mouth with her fingers. "And I have somewhere I need to be as well. Could you watch this little monster until I get back?"
"Of course."
"Sorry." Lilac gently nudged the girl forward. "You're literally the only person in this building I trust with her."
"It's fine!" Layla smiled. "What's her name?"
"Ayse," Lilac said. "Anyway, thank you for this, Layla. I owe you one."
"Oh, no problem at all." Layla waved her off.
Ayse stepped inside, still a little shy. Lilac and I looked at each other for a few seconds. Her dark eyes moved over me in a quick, assessing way, like she was filing something away. Then she gave a small, polite nod and turned to leave.
