Ro looks at me like I’m the biggest eejit on the face of the planet. “Teagan O’Brien, in such a diverse world, don’t you think it’s important to learn more than one language? Look at yer wan here. She’s clearly bilingual. Don’t you want to know what she’s saying when you’re making her…”
“Stop. Stop right there, Gallagher.” I cut him off before he can embarrass Layla further. “If you know what’s good for you, you will not finish that sentence.”
Ro raises his hands in defeat but winks at Layla, whose eyes are as wide as saucers. The nerve of him. I’ll make sure to pelt him in the head with a ball at practice later. Gobshite.
“Well, I better be off. Saw the two of yous when I came out of the library and thought I better say hello. Carry on!” Ro grins before turning and jogging away.
“For fuck’s sake,” I murmur, looking back to Layla. “I’m so sorry, Layla. He’s a royal pain in the arse.”
She releases a nervous giggle. “It’s fine. He reminds me of my brothers, honestly.”
“God, I can’t imagine havingtwoRowans around. You must be a saint to put up with that.”
“I don’t know about that. I’ve learned to dish it as well as I can take it. I’m just not as loud about it. My retaliation is more…calculated.” She grins.
“Remind me never to get on your bad side, lass.”
Chapter Seven
Layla
“Excuse me? Do you work here?” a middle-aged lady asks me.
It takes everything in me tonotpoint 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, andno, 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 isreal, 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.
