Page 20

Two Months Later

Layla

“We’ve been seeing each other for a couple of months now.”

It’s been two months since Eamon and Norah split, but it was barely weeks before they were back together. Eamon realized the error of his ways and flew back to North Carolina with a contrite heart and a ring in his pocket. They both learned the importance of trust and communication. And now they’re engaged!

Which is how Norah found out about Teagan and me. Shortly after arriving back in the States, she caught me texting him. I couldn’t lie to her, so I came clean. She was happy for me, but I could see the pain in her eyes, and I didn’t want to make it worse by flaunting our new relationship. We didn’t make it public knowledge until after Eamon returned and they worked out their issues. Well, mostly public knowledge.

“What do you mean you’ve been together for a couple of months, mija?” My mother is incensed that I’m just now telling her, but I have my reasons. “Why am I just now hearing about this? Where did you meet? Have you slept together yet?”

“Mami! I am not answering that last one.”

That’s the first reason why I haven’t told her until now.

“I’m not asking for details, but I want to make sure you’re being safe! Unless you’re calling to tell me you’re giving me a grand baby…”

“Enserio, Mami. No, I’m not having a baby.” I glance up at Teagan to see him wide-eyed from his side of the couch where he’s been rubbing my feet. That look of panic quickly turns heated when his gaze skims my body, lingering on my midsection. I jab him in the side with my foot, which earns me a grin.

“Okay, so tell me more about this Teagan.” She demands.

“What do you want to know?” I pull the phone from my ear and set it to speaker so that Teag has to endure this with me.

“Everything, mija! Is he cute? Does he have a job? Where’s he from? What’s his family like?”

The grin on his face grows with every question she asks, and I just know that he’s dying to hear my answers. I have the immense pleasure of watching that grin turn into a glare when I switch to speaking Spanish with my mother.

“Yes, Mami. Teagan is very handsome. He works with kids at the YMCA, is the goalie for the Seahawks soccer team, and…he’s Irish.”

She misses the cue, continuing in English, “He’s Irish? Is he a redhead? Will I have redheaded grand babies?”

I groan loudly while Teagan tries to disguise his laugh as a cough.

“Do you have me on speaker, Layla? Hello? Teagan? Let me talk to him!”

“Hello, Mrs. Diaz. It’s nice to unofficially meet you.” Teagan winks at me before taking the phone from my hand.

“Likewise. Are you the reason my Layla didn’t come home for the holidays?”

“Um…” Now it’s my time to laugh as he flounders for an answer.

“I’ll take that as a yes, then. So you’re going to come with her to Texas on Spring Break, yes?”

I freeze as he looks at me questioningly, before responding. “Aye, if that’s what Layla wants, I’d love to meet you all.”

The corner of my mouth tips up as I nod. I’m worried about him being overwhelmed by my family, but can’t deny that having him with me will make the stay more bearable.

“Good answer,” she tells him. “I’ll book the flights.”

“No, Mami,” I rush out. “You don’t have to do that. I can transfer my ticket from Christmas, and I’ll get Teagan’s.”

“Ach. I don’t think so, lass. I’ll be getting my own.”

“Hush.” I wave a hand at him to be quiet, but he grabs it, nipping my fingertips with his teeth.

“Both of you hush,” my Mamá’s commanding voice sounds through the speaker. “I already have the website up. Now, how about flying out that Friday night, and then flying back the following Friday?”

“Mami, we aren’t staying the entire week. How about three nights?”

“Three? No way, mija. That’s hardly enough time to catch up!”

Groaning, I look to Teagan for help but all I get from him is silent laughter. He’s definitely enjoying this, but eventually takes pity on me and holds up five fingers.

“What?” I hiss. “Five nights? You want to stay for five nights ?”

He shrugs then mouths, “Sure. It’ll be fun.”

I roll my eyes at him. Hombre loco.

“Mrs. Diaz? How about five nights? Will that be enough?”

“Ah, he’s the reasonable one of the relationship. Yes, you can fly out Monday morning and back on Saturday. Sound good? Yes, okay. See you soon! Love you, mija!”

And then she hangs up before I can even utter a word. Turning to glare at my Irishman, I ask, “What have you done?”

Teagan laughs heartily, eyes shining with delight. “Ah, c’mon, Lovely. It won’t be that bad.”

Scoffing, I swing my legs from his lap and walk towards the kitchen. “You don’t know what you’re getting into, guapo. Do you not remember me telling you about my family? Not just how many members it has, but how involved they make themselves?”

I’m pulling a glass from the cabinet when I hear him padding across the floor in my direction.

“Aye, I remember.” Strong arms wrap around me from behind and his chin rests on my shoulder. “And I’m not scared, Cailín. You shouldn’t be either. I’ve got you. Anytime you start to be overwhelmed, or start to feel like your family is taking shots at you, I’ll be there to intercept them.”

Leaning into his embrace, I feel some of my anxiety subside. “You’re not nervous at all?”

“No, why would I be?”

I spin in his arms to loop mine around his neck. His hands settle on my hips, squeezing gently.

“Isn’t meeting the girlfriend’s family a big deal for guys?”

Shrugging, he leans in to place a chaste kiss on my lips. “Honestly, I can’t answer that. I never met Ashley’s. It never even came up. And back home, I already knew everyone, so I didn’t have to be introduced.”

A small part of me loves that he’ll be experiencing this with my parents. Even if the idea of my family swarming him and making all sorts of comments terrifies me. I shouldn’t be surprised though. Teagan is outgoing, always finding a way to have conversations with those around him. He’s ‘Mr. Social Butterfly’ while I’m ‘Ms. Anti Social’.

“Promise you won’t give up on me once you see how crazy they are?” I ask teasingly.

“Promise. It would take a hell of a lot more than that to scare me off of you now.”

He winks and kisses me again. I so badly want to let this kiss morph into something hot and heavy, but we both have to go to work and be responsible adults. I didn’t love working at a grocery store to begin with. But after being with Teagan? All of my shifts have felt so lackluster. I go through the motions, putting forth the least amount of effort possible without losing my job.

My mind has been drifting lately to the future. I’m pursuing a computer science degree, but what will I do with that? Nothing in the field is remotely interesting to me and being stuck at a computer all day feels like torture. The point of having a job is to earn money, but would it be so bad to not make as much money while doing something I enjoy? I know my parents and grandparents had to work their asses off to provide the life they gave us—and I’m forever grateful, but does that mean I have to follow in their footsteps? They had families to care for at my age, so their options were limited, but I’m not a parent and I’m taking measures to keep it that way for a while.

* * *

“Mr. O’Brien! Ms. Diaz! It’s a pleasure to be seein’ ya this fine evening.”

Paddy O’Nelly is behind the bar, drying glasses with a white bar towel when Teagan and I walk into the pub. He smiles warmly at us, eyes darting to where our hands are joined. He knows we’ve been dating, but still acts like it’s new information whenever he sees us together.

“Hiya, Pat. How’s she cuttin’?” Teagan greets him, releasing my hand long enough to shake Pat’s.

“Ah, grand. Are ye here to celebrate the two love birds as well?” Paddy nods toward our usual table where Norah and Eamon are cozied up, chatting with Rowan.

“Aye. Glad Kennedy pulled his head out of his arse, yeah?”

“Teagan,” I chide, lightly smacking his arm, “be nice.”

Paddy chuckles as Teag turns wide, innocent eyes on me. “What? It’s nothing he hasn’t said himself!”

I roll my eyes at him. “I’m going to sit.”

Teagan draws me close, his arm tight around my waist as he kisses my cheek. “Go on, love. I’ll get us drinks. ”

“Good to see you, Pat,” I beam at the pub owner before heading in the direction of our friends. As soon as my back is to them, a hand pats my ass. Wheeling around, I find Teagan with a huge grin on his face. He winks when I scowl at him.

“You’re lucky I like you, guapo.”

This makes both men chuckle, so I spin on my heel, aiming for Norah.

“She’s got spunk, she does,” Paddy says not so quietly. “Keep her around, O’Brien.”

“Aye. That’s the plan.”

A rush of delight floods me at the thought of Teagan making plans to keep me. This isn’t just a fling, but it’s entirely too soon to label it as love. Isn’t it? Norah knew with Eamon, and look where they are now. Is that my future with Teagan? Am I ready for that level of commitment? I’d like to think I am, but marriage ?

“Layla!” Norah’s voice breaks through the cycle of thoughts in my head.

“Hey, chica!” I stoop to hug her before giving the other two Irishmen a little wave.

“I’m so glad you came out. I know you’re usually tapped out after work.”

She’s not wrong. On the nights that I close, I’m too tired and cranky to venture out into the crowds, completely content just to stay home and unwind. But since dating Teagan, he’s been slowly pulling me out of my shell. He has this innate ability to tell when I need a distraction from myself…and when I need to decompress alone. Well, not completely alone. There hasn’t been a time when I haven’t wanted him with me.

“True, but I wouldn’t miss celebrating with you two!”

“Too right, lass.” Rowan raises his glass in my direction. “Better them than me!”

Eamon tosses a coaster at the redhead. “Wanker. Yer just jealous.”

Ro makes a disbelieving noise. “Of being weighed down with a ball and chain? No offense, Norah love.”

Following her fiance’s lead, she tosses her coaster at him too, which has us all laughing. I love seeing how Norah has come out of her shell since being with Eamon. The fear in her eyes has been replaced by confidence and trust. It looks good on her.

“Who’s up for a little competition?” Rowan asks, rapping his knuckles on the table as I slide into the booth beside Norah and Eamon. I don’t know him that well, but the guy has seemed a little off lately. We all know he has a thing for Alicia, so it’s not surprising to catch his eyes following her around the pub, but his usually jovial persona seems forced tonight.

“Depends on what you have in mind,” Teagan says as he places a beer in front of me, sliding onto the bench beside me.

“Ah, nothing big. Just a little drinking contest. For old times’ sake.” Ro winks at Norah, who just rolls her eyes. “I’m thinking ‘ Never Have I Ever’. ”

To everyone’s surprise, Norah agrees. “Yes, let’s do it! This seems safer than a one-on-one challenge.”

“Acushla,” Eamon warns. “With Rowan coming up with the questions, do you really think this is a good idea? Knowing him, he’ll ask something like, ‘Never have I ever taken a piss standing up.’”

“Oi!” Rowan yells. “Fuck off. I’ll make it even-steven. I swear on the Blessed Virgin.”

“I’m game,” I chime in with a shrug. “I don’t have to work until tomorrow afternoon and it’s been a while since I’ve done anything like this.”

Teagan turns his head in my direction, face speculative as he searches my eyes for any hint that I’m bullshitting him. “You sure about this, Lovely?”

Lifting the glass to my mouth, I hold his eyes as I down the entire beer. Once I’ve swallowed, I hand the empty glass to him.“I’m going to need another drink.”