"…I'm worried that sticking with Arthur would put you at risk."
Layla hadn't said could, but would, and Nicole didn't miss that choice of words. A few seconds passed in silence before she quietly asked, "You think Arthur would hurt me?"
The way she said it made it sound like she couldn't even imagine the possibility.
Layla ran a hand through her hair, ruffling the strands as she replied. "No. I'm not saying he would. I'm saying... being with him is the problem here."
She took a deep breath and added plainly, "Arthur is a problem magnet. You know that very well."
Nicole couldn't argue with that. She didn't even try.
Layla went on, her voice steadier now.
"If you get together with him, you're going to be around him more than ever.
I mean, you're literally heading to another universe with him in a few days. He's a trouble magnet, and I'm worried you'll get caught in the fallout from the chaos he attracts."
