I lean against the wall, towering over her. “Let me be clear for you. You do not influence my daughter in any way. Do you understand?”
She presses her lips together as hurt flashes across her face. “I think you’re overreacting. She didn’t harm herself or anyone else. You’re acting like you caught her smoking meth.”
“Don’t tell me I’m overreacting,” I snap, folding my arms. “You know nothing about being a parent.”
She stiffens and stands tall, attempting to meet my gaze. “No, but I was a teenage girl once.”
As she rears up, she’s close, so damn close that her scent of coconut and flowers floods my senses. So heady, sexy, fucking delicious. I almost forget why I’m angry for a moment. If I step forward just a little bit, I’ll feel her soft lips against mine…
Instead, I let out a tense sigh. “Teagan can be easily influenced. I need you to be careful about what you say around her.”
“Got it.” She nods. “Look, if you really want her to heed your warnings, you need to explain why, not just fob her off with ‘it’s bad for you, because I say so.'” Her voice deepens as she mimics my accent, and I glare at her. “She just wants to express herself, that’s all. Do you even know why dyeing her hair is bad for her?”
My jaw clenches with frustration. “It’s full of chemicals. Obviously, it’s bad for her.”
“But she sees adults use it, so that’s not a good enough answer for her. I think it’s because young people have thinner hair that’s still developing, so the dye is more harmful. But don’t quote me. I’m not a doctor. Obviously.” She lifts her shoulders in a shrug. “But you should look into it and explain it to Teagan in a way she understands.”
I open my mouth to respond, then shut it again. Damn. Clodagh has a point. My answer isn’t entirely based in fact, and she knows it. I’m repeating what I presume to be true.
I exhale heavily, the fight leaving me.
“For the record, I’m sorry I caused the argument,” she says softly when I don’t speak. “Here I was, thinking I had survived the first week. Famous last words, hey?”
Clodagh
Friday night, I figure if I stay away from the house, I can’t get in trouble, and Killian can cool off. Thankfully, he orders food from one of his fancy restaurants so I can clock off as soon as he gets home from work.
Teagan roams around the house like an angry bull. I try to cheer her up, but nothing can break through the grouchiness brought on by her being grounded.
So when I cross the bridge back to Queens on Friday night, I’m actually mildly relieved.
Since Orla isn’t bartending, we check out a comedy show and flirt with guys who attempt to mimic our accent (yawn) but are forgiven because they’re pretty. I’m fickle.
Come Saturday morning, I teach my yoga class, then Orla and I go for a stroll in the park. I love New York parks on the weekends. Perfect for people-watching.
“Liam asked me to deliver a message since you’re ignoring him,” Orla tells me. “He wants you to give him another chance.”
I can’t help but let out a snort. “Tell him message not delivered.”
“He’s gutted. I almost feel sorry for him.” She grins at me sheepishly. “He…”
“He what? Spill.”
“He told everyone in the pub that you’re sleeping with your new boss.”
I stop short, almost choking on my coffee. “What the fuck? Why the hell is he making shit up? Just because I don’t fancy him? Ugh.”
I didn’t think I could be any more pissed off at Liam. I was wrong.
“I’m just the messenger.” She shrugs. “He said he saw how Killian looked at you the other night.”
“Like he wanted to kill me?”
“No, like he would take out Liam and anyone else who got in his way to get to you. I tried to tell him it was bollocks. Sleeping with Killian isn’t on the cards.” She side-eyes me. “Right?”
I roll my eyes and look away. So even Liam noticed the charged atmosphere between Killian and me that night. “Liam couldn’t see in front of his own face. He was in no fit state to judge anything.”
Did the security crew notice the weird tension as well? There’s no way I can ask Sam about it.
My phone beeps, and I pull it out from my yoga pants pocket.
Killian: Where are you?
No niceties. No hint of tone.
Jeez, what is wrong with me? My heart is pounding. It’s just a text message. And I’m not working today, so I don’t owe him any answers.
“Liam?” Orla asks.
“No,” I say, my eyes fixed on the phone as I wander. “Killian.”
“What’s his deal messaging you on a Saturday?” She scowls. “You’re not even working today.”
“He wants to know where I am,” I murmur. Why?
“Dick. He better not be trying to rope you into some work stuff.”
I message him back, telling him I’m in Queens with Orla.
Almost immediately, his typing dots show up.
Killian: One of the team will come to get you when you’re ready to head back to Manhattan.
I show Orla the message. “I think he’s trying to be nice?”
She reads it and frowns. “You don’t need collecting. He’s not your da.”
I text back I’m fine, and the phone immediately rings in my hand.
“He’s calling? God, he’s so heavy-handed. Don’t answer it.”
“Killian,” I say, bringing the phone to my ear.
“Clodagh,” his gruff voice replies. “Why are you refusing the ride?” His almost accusatory tone sends my heart racing faster.
“I’m staying with my friend Orla tonight.” I halt in my tracks, making the dog walkers and runners flow around me. Did I miss something in the manual I was supposed to do today? “Is that a problem? I didn’t think you needed me today.”
I ignore Orla’s glares and turn away from her. Why is he taking so long to respond?
“I don’t need you,” he finally says, his voice low and stern. “It’s just that… you work for me. I want to make sure you’re okay.”
Heat rises to my face as I fight the urge to smile. “Do you call all your staff who work in that big glass skyscraper to check if they’re okay?” I can’t help myself.
I can hear the frustration in his voice as he responds, “No, I don’t, but you live with me. I need to make sure you’re looked after.”
“Do you miss me?” The words fly from my mouth before I can think twice. Oh God, why did I ask that? “Ignore that. I’m fine, Killian. You don’t need to worry about me.”
“There’s a tracker on your phone for safety. Call the team at any time if you need anything.” He clears his throat awkwardly. “Or call me.”
I notice he doesn’t answer my question about missing me.
Why does he care so much about my safety? What the hell does he think will happen to me in a park in Queens at midday, surrounded by joggers and dog walkers?
To be fair, I almost got kidnapped last Thursday night.
“Thank you. What are you doing today?”
“Teagan’s still grounded, but we’re going to visit her grandmother. My mom.”
“That’s nice for her.” It shouldn’t matter to me, but I’m glad Killian and Teagan are spending time together today. “Well, I’d better go,” I say as Orla folds her arms across her chest, narrowing her eyes at me. “Have fun, Killian.”
“Remember to use the credit card for anything you need.”