Page 9

Teagan

The lights lower and the conversations around us silence in anticipation of the play starting, but all I can think about is grabbing Layla’s hand and finding an empty room with a locking door. When I discovered that she had parked farther away from the building and would be walking alone, I automatically headed in her direction. I was nervous and excited to see her but not at all prepared to see her dressed like a wet dream, prowling towards me in fuck-me heels and with lips painted devil red. I actually tripped over my own feet. The closer she came, the harder it was for me to breathe. She’s so beautiful that it’s physically painful. When I said that I practically fell to my knees, I wasn’t slagging her. I would have gladly crawled across the ground to worship at her feet.

As we entered the building, I was acutely aware of all the heads turning in her direction. I couldn’t blame them, but a primal urge came over me to step in front of her and beat my chest, telling them all that she’s mine . It was instinctual for me to grab her hand and lead her to the outskirts of the room in an attempt to hide her from wandering eyes. Eyes that kept drifting to the low- cut neckline of her dress.

I’ve more than noticed how her ample breasts fill it out and nearly groan out loud every time I let my own eyes roam, which I’m trying not to do. Really, I am. I respect her and will treat her accordingly, but fuck me , Layla Diaz is an absolute bombshell. Not to mention those lips. I want to mess up that red lipstick in all sorts of inappropriate ways.

The packed theater is the last place I want our first kiss to be— there will be a first kiss and soon if I have any say about it—but when she’s sitting so close and smells that good, I can’t think of a reason why this isn’t as good of a place as any other. Then those fucking lights flashed and killed the moment.

I’m attempting to discreetly adjust my growing erection when I notice Layla fanning herself with a program she snatched from the lobby. Her face is flushed, a beautiful russet color traveling down her throat to her chest that’s heaving slightly. This is torture.

Surprisingly, I’m actually able to focus on the play once it starts, which is a testament to the actors’ skills and Norah’s incredible costumes. The dresses she designed look like actual flowers, with Belle’s resembling an upside- down yellow rose. Layla gasped audibly when it was revealed, pride in her eyes for her friend’s work. I’m completely enamored by her. She catches me watching her, and those gorgeous brown eyes soften in a way I can’t pinpoint, but I vow to do everything I can to make her mine.

At the end of the evening, we find Eamon in the lobby waiting for Norah, so we stay and visit a while. He’s beaming with pride.

“Oh my god,” Layla squeals. “That was incredible! Everything was absolutely perfect! And Norah’s costumes! I can’t get over Belle’s dress!”

Eamon and I share an amused look. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Layla so animated before, but I like It. Hell, I like everything about her.

“Yeah, she really did amazing,” Eamon says, shoving his hands into his pockets. “It all really came together on stage, though.”

“Hey!” Norah’s voice sounds from behind us.

We all turn to greet her with hugs and congratulations, and Eamon pulls her into his arms to press a kiss to her temple.

“Well done, Acushla. That was incredible.”

Norah beams up at him with nothing but love in her eyes. I sneak a glance at Layla, who’s watching the couple with a small smile on her face. To anyone else, it would look like she’s patiently waiting, but I don’t miss how she takes in every touch between our friends. She looks…wistful.

“I have to get back. I just wanted to come out and say thanks for coming real quick,” Norah says before looking back to Eamon. “See you tonight?”

“Definitely,” Eamon answers.

The two share a heated look, and he watches her walk away.

“Well…” Layla clears her throat, but Eamon doesn’t even flinch.

“Eamon, mate. You have a little bit of drool there…” I tease him and finally get a response.

“Fuck off, wanker,” he says with a glare.

“I’m just messing with you. Good on you for being all about your girl. It’s how it should be.”

“Yeah, she’s…” Eamon starts.

“Amazing,” Layla finishes softly, giving him a knowing look.

He nods in agreement before adding, “Alright, I’m going to head out. You two good?”

“Grand,” I reply cheerfully. “I’m going to walk Layla back to her car. I’m assuming you won’t be back to the flat tonight?”

Eamon grins. “Nope. It’s all yours, mate.”

Layla looks away pointedly at the insinuation. I’d love nothing more than to invite her back to the flat, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep my hands to myself. Ach. Who am I kidding? I know I won’t be able to keep my hands off of her once I’m permitted the chance. With her consent, of course.

“Right. Ready, Lovely?” I ask, gesturing toward the doors.

“Yeah, I am. See you later, Eamon.”

“Bye, Layla. Teag,” he responds simply before heading back towards the auditorium.

The night has gotten colder since we were inside, and as much as I’d like to prolong this walk with Layla, I don’t want her catching a chill.

“Do you work tomorrow?”

“Unfortunately,” she grumbles. “I open, so as soon as I get home, I’m going straight to bed.”

Damn. I can’t keep her out much later, then. So much for making that kiss happen tonight. I don’t want to rush it, but I also don’t want her sleep-deprived before her busy day tomorrow.

“Are you stocked up on turkeys now?” I ask with a wink and am rewarded with the sound of her smoky laugh.

“Yes, finally. Which is good, considering Thanksgiving is in a couple of weeks. Do you and Eamon and Ro celebrate it?”

“Not in a traditional sense. Our first year in the States was spent eating pizza and drinking beer.” I chuckle at the memory. “We’ve upped our game since then, though. Now we have stew and beer.”

“That sounds good to me!” Layla says approvingly. “Norah and I usually go to Charlie’s. My parents were trying to get me to come home for both Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, but I told them there was no way I was going to travel back to Texas twice in one month”

“So you’ll be going home at Christmas, then?”

“That’s the plan.” She sighs. “I miss them and really can’t wait to see everyone, but I’m also dreading it.”

“Why’s that?” I ask hesitantly. It’s none of my business, but I hate the idea of her being unhappy.

Layla groans in frustration. “My Mami is constantly bringing up the fact that I’m unmarried and without children. She thinks that, because she already had two at my age, I’m wasting my life. She made sure to remind me that my brothers are both bringing their girlfriends to Christmas this year.”

I raise my eyebrows in astonishment. “So let me see if I understand. Your Mam would rather you be a young, married mother than an independent woman choosing her own future? And somehow your brothers are better because they’re bringing someone with them to dinner? ”

Letting out a humorless laugh, she says, “Yep. That sums it up. It doesn’t even matter that they bring a different girl every year! She just sees them as potential daughters-in-law who can provide her with nietos . I could probably bring a homeless man I found at the airport with me, and she’d be ecstatic.”

We’ve reached her car and turn to face each other. I consider what she just told me, an idea forming. It may not be a very good idea, but I’m going to try anyway.

“Don’t take a homeless man.”

Layla rolls her eyes. “I’m not actually going to. I was just being dramatic.”

“Take me,” I say before she’s even finished the last word.

Her eyes widen, and she gapes at me. “What?”

“Take me with you. It will give you some reprieve from the constant judgment, and I can make tamales with your Abuela.” I wink again.

“That’s ridiculous. Why would you do that?” she asks in disbelief.

Shrugging, I say, “Why not?”

“Because you…we’re not…that’s…” Layla stutters out.

I step closer, placing my hands on her shoulders and giving them a light squeeze. “Layla. It doesn’t have to be complicated, lass. Don’t overthink it. Just tell them you’re bringing a friend if it makes you feel better. If anything, I can be there for moral support, yeah?”

She narrows her eyes at me. “You do realize that it’s not just Mami and Papá and my siblings. It will be everyone. We’re talking dozens of loud and nosy Mexican family members that have no respect for boundaries.”

“Aye, I do. Sounds fun to me. Maybe your brothers and I can play a little footy and they can teach me some new tricks. Gabriela wants to become the next Marta Vieira da Silva. I could share what I learn.”

Her gaze softens as her lips tip into a smile.

“Sleep on it and let me know tomorrow if you want me to come with you. Now get in your car and get warm. Go home and go to sleep, mo chroi.”

Tilting her head to the side, her dark curls draping over her shoulder, she asks softly, “What does that mean?”

Flashing her my best smile, I say, “I’ll tell you later. Text me when you make it home.”

Layla

To say that I’m disappointed that Teagan didn’t try to kiss me again is an understatement. I was considering taking matters into my own hands when he dropped that bomb on me. Take him home to Texas with me? Introduce him to my family? As what? Just a friend? Yeah right. Mami would be asking us why aren’t we more than friends, making it incredibly awkward. Teagan would handle it with grace, no doubt, because that’s the type of person he is. He’d probably take the teasing and give it right back.

This sounds like the start of those fake dating romance novels, which just so happens to be my favorite trope, but this is real life. Does the idea of having him by my side as a buffer sound appealing? Absolutely. My family would love him, but what happens after the holidays? What if all of this tension that’s building between us is just physical? I haven’t had sex in way too long, and Teagan is so hot. There’s chemistry there, but what if we’re not compatible otherwise?

I’m still pondering this as I let myself into my house, kick off my shoes, and get ready for bed. My phone buzzes right before I collapse onto my pillow. Shit. I forgot to text him when I got home.

Teagan: Did you make it home okay?

Layla: Yes. Sorry. I got distracted.

Teagan: No worries, love. Glad you made it. Sleep well.

Layla: Goodnight, Teag.

Despite my racing mind, I manage to fall asleep quickly. When the alarm goes off at the ungodly hour it was set for, I reluctantly roll out of bed. I was dreaming about making tamales while naked, and it doesn’t take a genius to figure out what inspired that one. Chuckling to myself, I fix coffee and get ready for work, savoring this happy feeling. Once I clock in, it’s going to be a long day.