“None of your students hate you,” Deja said. “I’ve literally overheard my students gushing about you and saying I suck in comparison. You’ll be fine.”

Marie rolled her eyes at Deja’s optimism and chewed her lip. “At least I don’t have to travel for it,” she said eventually.

“There you go, optimistic baby steps. I’m proud of you.”

Marie broke into a smile. “Shut up.”

“Hard agree,” Toni said, sidling up next to them. She plucked her placard from the table. “Why are we telling Deja to shut up?”

It was Deja’s turn to roll her eyes. “Marie got the on-campus interview,” she told Toni.

“Good. You deserve it. More than deserve it. And you’re great in the classroom.” She rolled her eyes. “My students won’t shut up about you. I think they’re giving me hints that they wish I was more like you. Sucks for them. Let’s grab our seats, ladies.”

She turned away, and Marie and Deja watched her back.

“No one gives compliments quite like her,” Marie said, a small blush on her cheeks.

“Thank god,” Deja muttered.

They scurried behind Toni into the auditorium. She stopped just in the entrance and looked around before jotting to the right. “Come on,” she called over her shoulder.

In the main auditorium, Deja’s eyes quickly scanned the room. She was looking for Alejandro, but she didn’t want to seem too obvious about it.

“He’s over there,” Marie said.

Deja’s face warmed, and she ducked her head.

“Yeah, you were super obvious.”

Deja turned to her right to see Alejandro standing behind his chair, chatting with Toni, while Mike joined in from his seat. Marie poked her in her side. “Ow. Seriously?”

“Yeah, girl. They can’t hold those seats forever.”

“Please. Toni will stare down anyone who tries to sit next to her.”

“Yeah, but Layla Morgan doesn’t feel fear.”

And just as Marie said her name, Deja saw Layla step into the auditorium behind them. Deja saw her eyes sweep around the room, a much more obvious version of Deja’s perusal. Excitement lit her face as she looked past Deja and Marie and spotted Alejandro.

Deja turned away quickly and headed toward their friends, but not fast enough. Layla brushed past them, making a beeline toward the empty chairs between Alejandro and Toni.

“Told you,” Marie muttered, pushing at Deja’s back even though they were all but running behind her.

“Is anyone sitting here?” Layla asked Alejandro just as Deja and Marie came to a stop behind her.