Page 36

Three Months Later

Layla

I thought Teagan meeting my family was nerve-wracking. It doesn’t hold a candle to me meeting his. Every time I think about it, I break out into a cold sweat.

In just a few short weeks, we’ll be flying over the Atlantic Ocean to not only meet his family, but to celebrate Norah and Eamon’s wedding. It’s been a whirlwind of activity since they set the date. Luckily, I had enough money saved to buy my plane ticket, much to Teagan’s dismay. He was more than a little irritated when I told him he wasn’t allowed to pay for my airfare. He didn’t have a good enough argument, so I won that battle only to lose when it came to rental cars and lodging. Behind my back, he booked everything else, even going as far as pre-paying for my portion of the spa day I had planned with Norah and the other girls.

Teagan began working for NCICU as their Director of Communications about a month after graduation. He had applied for the position on a whim, not believing that he’d have a shot at it with little experience under his belt. Apparently they took a look at his transcript, resume, and work history, liking what they saw enough to offer him the position. He accepted, on the condition that he’d still be able to work a couple of days at the Children’s Department as well. His superiors didn’t have an issue with that at all, so Tuesdays and Thursdays are spent with the kids. Which is where we are now.

It’s the first time I’ve ever accompanied him, and it feels like I’m intruding on a sacred place. We arrive before the kids, so I climb to the top of the bleachers in the rec room, ensuring I’ll be out of the way. Teagan goes about setting up for today’s class, placing small, orange cones in patterns across the court. Do I spend more time admiring the way his tight t-shirt and athletic shorts move with his body than where he’s putting cones? Absolutely.

The fall soccer season has started back up and he’s doing a refresher course to see who might be a good candidate for a local team. Teagan claims he doesn’t have favorites, but the same names keep coming up every time we talk about it. If I’m being honest, I’m really excited to meet the kids he’s spent so much time with. Especially Gabriela.

“Whatcha starin’ at, love?” Teagan’s voice floats to where I’m sitting, breaking me from my thoughts.

Not ashamed to be caught, I shrug and say, “You, obviously.”

His eyes darken, and he starts to climb the first step toward me when the gymnasium doors squeak open.

“Mr. Teagan!” A small voice calls out, drawing his attention to where it should be.

“Gabriela!” He holds a hand out for a high five, but she crashes into him, wrapping her little arms around his legs in a hug.

My heart is officially a puddle in my chest when he places a gentle hand on the back of her head.

“Hello there,” he says bewildered, casting a glance up at me .

“Mr. Teagan, I’ve been practicing my lion pounces all year! Do you wanna see?”

Without waiting for a reply, she runs to the nearest soccer ball, scoops it up, and runs back to place it before him. Then she falls on top of it with a pretty impressive roar. I laugh louder than I intended, causing everyone to whip their heads my way. Blushing, I smile sheepishly at Teagan, but he’s grinning. None of the other kids are interested enough to find out who I am, but Gabriela is curious enough for all of them.

Her brow scrunches, creating little lines on her forehead. “Who’s that, Mr.Teagan?”

“That,” he says, “is Layla Diaz, my girlfriend.”

Little Gabriela’s eyes widen at first, then narrow at me.

Uh oh.

“You didn’t tell me you had a girlfriend.” Small hands ball into fists at her sides.

“Didn’t I?” Teagan asks sheepishly, a pink hue gracing his cheeks.

“No. I would remember.”

In an attempt to smooth things over, I stand and carefully make my way down the bleachers. Once I reach them, I squeeze Teagan’s arm before squatting down to the little girl’s level.

“Hi, I’m Layla. It’s nice to meet you, Gabriela. Mr. Teagan has told me so much about you.”

This takes her by surprise, and she asks in Spanish, “He has?”

Continuing in Spanish, I reply, “Yes, he’s told me how great you are at football, and that you’ll be the next Marta Viera da Silva!”

Gabriela gasps, cheeks flushing with delight as she looks over her shoulder at Teagan. When he smiles at her, that blush deepens. It’s so cute. I want to tell her that he has that effect on me too.

Again, in Spanish, she asks, “Are you and Mr. Teagan in love?”

I’m about to break her precious heart. “Yes, sweetheart, we are.”

She frowns. “Are you going to get married?”

Tilting my head to the side a little, I ask, “Do you think we should?”

Her little shoulders shrug. “My mommy says when two people are in love, they have to get married.”

“Ah. My mommy says that too, but you know what?” I whisper conspiratorially.

“What?”

Not wanting to overstep boundaries, but still encourage her independence, I tell her, “When you’re a grown-up, you get to decide what’s best for you. So right now, listen to your mommy because she loves you. But when you become an adult and find someone you love? Getting married is up to the two of you, not your family.”

I can see the wheels turning in her head at my words. “Do you want to get married to Mr. Teagan?”

Smiling softly, I take her small hand in mine. “Someday, and definitely to Mr. Teagan,” I toss him a wink when he perks up at his name. “But right now I’m happy to just be in love like we are. One day, when the time is right, we’ll get married.”

“Can I tell you a secret?” She leans in.

“Sure.”

She casts a quick glance at Teagan, who is pretending not to listen. The rise of his cheeks as he tries not to smile is a dead giveaway that he’s hearing every word.

“Mr. Teagan called me love once.”

Biting back a laugh, I ask, “He did? Should I tell him to stop?”

“Nah, it’s okay. As long as you don’t mind.”

I do chuckle at that. “No, I don’t mind. Do you want to know what my sisters call Mr. Teagan?”

She nods excitedly.

Leaning in, I whisper in her ear, “ Vaquerito guapo .”

“Handsome cowboy?” she gasps out in English before dissolving into a fit of giggles.

“Oi! You’re not talking about me, are ya?” Teagan fakes outrage as he crosses his arms over his chest. “I’ll be makin’ ya run laps if ya keep it up, lasses.”

I join Gabriela in her laughing fit because she and I both know he won’t.

“Miss Layla, you’re fun. I’m glad you and Mr. Teagan are in love.” She loops her arms around my neck, squeezing me tightly before running off to join the other kids.

Teagan extends a hand to help me rise from the floor, but instead of releasing me, he drags me into his embrace, kissing the top of my head. “Make a friend, did you?”

“Seems like it. I was worried there for a minute. Not sure I could take on a jealous six-year-old and feel good about it.”

A chuckle rumbles through him. “What did you two talk about anyway?”

“Just girl stuff.” I shrug, then kiss him at the edge of his jaw. “Get back to work, Mr. Teagan. The kids are waiting.”

* * *

“You ready to go, Lovely? The Uber will be here in just a few.”

“Coming!” I call from the bedroom, where I’m frantically ensuring I have everything we’ll need for our trip to Ireland.

“Without me, Cailín? I’d like to at least watch.”

I roll my eyes and snort. “You’re cute.”

“I know. That’s why you keep me around, yeah?”

His voice sounds from the doorway, and I look up from my suitcase to find him leaning against the door frame, hands stuffed in his jean pockets. He really is cute in his Seahawks hoodie and ball cap. It’s one of my favorite outfits of his.

“One of the many reasons, actually,” I tell him truthfully. “Okay, I’m ready. I think.”

Teagan pushes off the frame and enters the room. I’m fidgety with nerves and we haven’t even left yet. Wringing my hands, I shift from foot to foot until his warm fingers pry mine apart.

“Hey,” he says, waiting until I meet his gaze. “What’s making you the most nervous? The travel or my family?”

I laugh nervously. “Both?”

“Ach, love, it’ll be grand. The travel bit is long, but it’s fun. And hey,” he puts me at arm’s length and wags his eyebrows. “Maybe we’ll finally be able to join the Mile High Club.”

“Oh my god, stop!” I lightly slap a hand to his chest, but he catches it, bringing my knuckles to his lips.

“And as for my family? Da and Tarrah can come across as cold, but don’t take it personally. My mum and brother will absolutely love you though. Honestly, I couldn’t give a single fuck if they don’t. I love my family, but I don’t plan to spend the rest of my life building a future with them like I do with you.”

“I know,” I sigh. “I just want them to like me.”

“They will,” he says, kissing my forehead. “Now, the Uber is here. Time to go.”

Surprisingly, the airport is relatively empty, so getting through check-in and security is quick. We spend the extra time looking at pictures of Teagan’s hometown on his phone while he regales me with stories of his childhood. He and his brother were quite the trouble makers, and it reminds me of my brothers. No wonder they all get along so well.

Once it’s time to board, the nerves that had been dormant flutter to life. I’m not scared of flying, but I’ve never flown over an entire ocean. Sensing my unease, Teagan links his fingers with mine, rubbing soothing circles on the back of my hand with his thumb. It helps a little, but not nearly enough to keep me from fidgeting. Take-off is smooth, and after a few hours I drift off with my head on Teagan’s shoulder. I wake up in time to see the hills of Ireland come into view below us. The emerald landscape is threaded with sprays of red, orange, and yellow. More details appear the closer we get to the airport, and it’s breathtaking. I can see now why Norah is so enamored with the country.

I turn to see Teagan’s reaction to seeing his homeland for the first time in years, but he’s not looking out the window. He’s looking at me.

“Welcome to Ireland, Lovely.”