Page 7

Layla

“Excuse me? Do you work here?” a middle-aged lady asks me.

It takes everything in me to not point at my name badge and the grocery store logo on my shirt and respond with an exaggerated eye roll. It’s been a day from hell. Not only is it stupid busy, but I’ve been completely distracted since that almost kiss with Teagan the day before. That had been the hottest moment of my life, including the night I lost my virginity.

“Yes, ma’am, I do. How can I help you?” I answer, plastering a fake smile on my face.

“I was just wondering when you were going to get whole turkeys in.”

Inhaling deeply through my nose, I silently count to five and explain to the lady that hopefully the turkeys will be available tomorrow. Yes , I’m aware that it’s the middle of October and the holidays are just around the corner. No , I don’t know what time they’ll be delivered, and no , I can’t hold one for her.

“I’m sorry. There was an issue with the distributor, so it’s out of our hands at the moment.”

The lady huffs and walks away.

“Okay, you have a nice day too,” I mutter under my breath.

It was six in the morning when I arrived at work, and I’ve been on my feet nonstop for the last seven hours. I haven’t had a single thing to eat since before leaving my house and only one bathroom break. Thankfully, my shift ends soon, and then I can go home. I don’t have class tonight, thank God. Even if I did, I’d probably skip it—attendance be damned. Going back to stocking the shelf in front of me, I let my mind wander back to Teagan and sigh. He’s not only insanely good-looking but incredibly sweet. There’s an undeniable attraction between us that I can’t ignore any longer, especially after that moment at the library. But what does it mean? The anxiety of actually bringing the topic up to him is real , but I want him to know that I’m definitely interested in pursuing something if he is. And more than interested in continuing what Rowan interrupted. Freaking Rowan. I understand why Teagan and Eamon are always so exasperated by him. He’s an absolute menace. A menace that apparently knows Spanish. I’ll have to be more careful with what I say around him.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. I’m not supposed to have it on me at work, but not one of my fellow coworkers follows that rule. Glancing around, I make sure my manager and no customers are nearby before surreptitiously pulling my phone out and angling my body towards the shelves. There’s a text from an unknown number. I grin broadly because I immediately know it’s from Teagan. I have no idea how he got my number, but I’m not mad about it. I decide to play coy.

Unknown: Hi, Lovely.

Layla: I’m sorry, who is this? I don’t have your number saved.

Unknown: Oh. Right. It’s Teagan.

Layla: Teagan who?

I giggle to myself. As if I know any other Teagan .

Unknown: Teagan O’Brien. How many Teagans do you know?

Layla: Oh, THAT Teagan. Sorry. There are so many I can’t keep track of them.

I quickly add him as a contact while I wait for his response.

Teagan: Ouch. That stings, lass.

Layla: I’m kidding. You’re the only one I know. Not that I mind, but how did you get my number?

Teagan: Ummm… I might have stolen it when you had me put my address in your GPS?

I snort in amusement at how he worded it, like he wasn’t sure if he did or not.

Layla: That’s an invasion of privacy. I’m not sure how to feel about that.

Teagan: Fuck. I’m sorry, I should have asked.

Layla: Kidding again! I really don’t mind. Did you need something?

Teagan: Oh, good! No, I don’t need anything. I was just sitting here zoning out in front of the TV when a commercial for tamales came on. Made me think of you.

Layla: I’m so glad that something wrapped in a corn husk made you think of me. How flattering.

Teagan: You’re a bit of a smart arse aren’t you, Lovely?

Layla: He’s catching on. ;)

Teagan: I like it. What are you doing?

Layla: Working. I’m not supposed to be on my phone, but I’m off in half an hour.

Teagan: Can I call you then?

My heart flops in my chest.

Layla: Sure. Talk soon.

With a new spring in my step, I put my phone away and quickly finish stocking the section I’m in so I can clock out on time. I don’t want to miss Teagan’s call. Why am I so nervous? The butterflies in my stomach remind me of the time in middle school when one of the boys I was crushing on asked me to couple skate at the Brownsville Roller Rink. I was so anxious, I hid in the bathroom for half of the skate.

As soon as my shift ends, I clock out and hurry to the car to plug my ancient phone into the charger. I really need an upgrade, but that requires money. The sun is nowhere to be seen, making the day colder than it has been recently. Starting the ignition, I crank the heat and rub my hands together for warmth. Teagan probably won’t be calling right away, so I put the car in drive and head towards my house. What will we even talk about? Will he bring up yesterday? Will I mention it if he doesn’t? Lost in my thoughts, I startle when my phone begins ringing loudly. Chuckling at myself for being so ridiculous, I answer, putting it on speaker.

“Hello?”

“Hello, Lovely,” Teagan greets me, with what I know is a smile. I can hear it in his voice. “How was the rest of your shift?”

The way he calls me “Lovely” sends shivers up my spine.

“Uneventful,” I tell him. “Which is more than I can say for the rest of the day.”

“Another busy day? How many times did you get asked about turkeys?”

“Hmmm. Let’s see,” I ponder out loud. “I think today was only around half a dozen times, but people were less than friendly about it. I had one old man actually ask me why I didn’t just go to the turkey farm myself and bring some to the store. That was a new one.”

Teagan lets out a playful snort. “Did he want you to kill and dress them too? Or bring them alive?”

“That’s a very good question. He didn’t specify. I’ll ask him next time I see him and let you know.”

“Do that,” he orders. “What are you doing now that you’re free?”

“Heading home to do absolutely nothing for the rest of the day. How about you?”

There’s a heavy sigh followed by the kind of groan someone stretching would make. “Shirking my responsibilities. I should be doing homework before work but made the mistake of turning on the TV.”

“Ah, yes,” I say seriously. “Those tamale commercials are quite riveting. I can see how distracting that would be.”

“You have no idea. I’ve been thinking a lot about tamales since yesterday, actually. I’ve been thinking a lot about yesterday i n general. Very distracting, indeed.”

I almost drop my keys while trying to unlock my front door.

“Oh yeah?”

“Yes, Layla,” he says in a low voice. “I was thinking maybe we should…make tamales soon?”

I almost laugh out loud. Making tamales has never sounded so sexual.

“You want to…make tamales? When?” I ask him.

“Aye. I wanted to make tamales yesterday, but fucking Gallagher…” he growls.

Fucking Gallagher, indeed.

“When are you free next?” he asks.

“Well,” I hedge, “making tamales can be a pretty lengthy process.”

I almost choke. I was definitely talking about actually making tamales, but given the implied innuendo, I realize I probably should have reworded that.

“I mean—” I start to say before Teagan starts chuckling.

“You’re right. We should definitely make sure we have enough uninterrupted time.”

“Preferably where Rowan can’t interfere?” I squeak out.

“Exactly,” he replies. “So when, Layla? You name the time and place.”

My heart is racing, and I can’t figure out if he means making actual tamales or picking up where we left off. As much as I want him, I don’t want to jump straight into bed before we’ve even talked about the attraction between us.

“Teagan, just to be clear, we’re actually going to make tamales, right?”

He releases a breathy laugh. “Yes, Lovely. You promised to teach me, and I’m going to hold you to that. If we have extra time, we can…talk. Does that sound okay?”

Air whooshes from my mouth in relief. “Yeah, that sounds good. Let me take a look at my work and class schedules later, and I’ll let you know.”

“Grand,” he says simply.

“Are you going to see Beauty and the Beast next week?” I ask, desperate for a subject change. “Norah’s been working so hard on the costumes.”

“That depends. Are you going?”

“Obviously,” I say with more sass than intended. “She’s my best friend.”

“Well, then, I guess I’ll be there. What showing?”

It takes a ridiculous amount of effort to keep from kicking my feet in excitement.

“Opening night. I want to be one of the first to see it all put together!”

“Fair point,” he concedes. “Alright, where do we get tickets?”

“You’re in luck. I actually purchased a couple of tickets yesterday. Charlie and I were going to go together, but then she found out she has to work opening night, so I have a spare.” I’m going to kiss Charlie the next time I see her.

“Perfect! How much do I owe you?”

“Nothing. It’s my treat,” I tell him.

“I don’t think so, Lovely. That doesn’t sit right with me. Go on, tell me how much.”

Why does that sound so dirty, and why do I like the idea of him bossing me around?

“Teagan, don’t be chauvinistic,” I say just to appease the feminist part of me that’s shaking her head in disgust.

“Ach! I’m not! I just don’t want you to be out the money. Was Charlie going to pay you for hers?” he asks, catching me off guard.

With a heavy sigh, I say, “Fine. I’ll allow it.” Tickets are only ten dollars, so it’s not a huge deal.

“That wasn’t so hard, was it? I’ll give it to you when I see you next. That work?”

My thoughts turn dirty again. This is a problem. “Sure, sure,” I say quickly, then change the subject again. “What are you doing with the kids at work right now? My brothers and I used to go to an after-school program like that in Texas.”

Teagan’s tone changes from soft and almost sultry to energetic and excited. “Yeah? Did you have a good experience with it?”

“Most of the time. Being a predominantly Hispanic town meant a lot of soccer was played. That’s part of the reason my brothers still play.”

“Did you play too?” he asks curiously .

“Meh. I’d kick the ball around a bit when I was younger, but when I hit middle school, I switched to the dance classes offered.”

“Dance classes? We don’t offer those, not that I’d stand a chance at teaching them,” he jokes.

I’d like to teach him some moves.

“Salsa dancing. I’ve been doing it since I could walk, but the classes were more formal. Also, again, Hispanic community, so it’s a given.”

“Hmmm. I’m going to have to research this. I’ve been doing soccer with the kids since it’s in season. We’ve been working on goal-keeping this week,” Teagan says proudly.

“They have a good teacher! I bet they love it.”

“Aye, they’re a great group.” The pride and affection in his voice melts me. “We’ve had a good time. I wish you could meet Gabriela and her brother. She reminds me of you, actually.”

“Why’s that? Because she’s Hispanic?” I can’t help but tease him.

“Ach, don’t insult me,” he says with a scoff. “Yes, her big brown eyes make me think of yours, but she’s a sweetheart with an undercurrent of sass. She keeps me on my toes, love.”

I laugh nervously. “And that’s a good thing?”

“To be sure. I like a bit of mystery.”

My nerves disappear as I burst out laughing. “Mystery? I’m the least mysterious person you’ll ever meet. I work at a grocery store and study computer science, and I rarely go out or do anything spontaneous.”

“No, lass,” he says seriously. “You are the most mysterious creature I’ve ever come across. I never know what you’re thinking, and it drives me mental. I can’t tell if your smiles mean you’re laughing at me or hiding some sort of secret. When you’re looking at me, I can’t tell if you like what you see or if you think I’m a big eejit. And I like having to work to get you to laugh.”

Ay no . I’m in trouble with this one. He has to have a flaw somewhere. I’m about to tell him that he’s definitely not a “big eejit” when my phone beeps through another call. It’s Papá.

“Hey, I’m so sorry. My father is calling me. Can I take this and call you back?”

“No worries, Lovely. I know how important your family is to you. I need to at least try to do some homework anyway. Talk tomorrow?” he asks hopefully.

“Yeah, okay.”

“Bye, love.”

“Bye.”