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 beeveryone.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 youmake 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 wasdreaming 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.
Chapter Ten
Teagan
“You don’t think they…” I grimace.
Eamon and I are sitting at our kitchen table, discussing the events of the previous night at Paddy’s.
“Christ, he better not have pulled his normal shite,” Eamon grouses. “Surely, he wouldn’t shag and bail onAlicia.Not just because she’s pure gold, but she’d murder him.”
“I swear to god, if we have to find a new pub, I’ll rip his bollox off and shove them so far up his arse, they’ll hang out of his nose,” I seethe. I’m usually a lover, not a fighter, but sometimes Ro makes me so raging mad with his antics. And I’m not about to give up O’Nelly’s Pub.
Eamon barks out a loud laugh.
The wanker in question chooses that moment to bargethrough the door. “What’d I miss, mates?”
“Just our plans to disfigure you if we have to find a new pub,” I grumble.
