Jerk. He could have given me some context. Is it her birthday? Is he apologizing for something? I didn’t take him for a romantic. Then again, it’s not very romantic when you get a bouquet from your love interest’s nanny maid. I wonder how many rich guys actually send their own gifts.
I’ve never even gotten flowers from a guy before.
I dial Sam’s number. I was only half bluffing when I said Sam and I should date. He’s a great guy. A part of me wanted to see if Killian would be jealous. That way, I would know if this weird sexual tension between us is real or imagined.
My attempt failed miserably.
Sam answers on the third ring. “Clodagh,” he says warmly. There’s traffic in the background, so he must be outside.
“Hey, Sam. I need some help. I’m sending Maria Taylor flowers from Killian. Can you message me her address?”
“Sure thing, I’ll do it after the call.” He sounds a little out of breath, like he’s walking.
“Did I catch you at a bad time?”
“No, I’m just leaving Teagan’s school after my shift.” A siren goes off in the background.
“You have to wait outside the school?”
He laughs a little. “When you say it like that, it sounds worse than it is. But yeah, a few of us take shifts while Teagan is in school.”
Jeez. What a strange life.
“Er, so Killian didn’t give me any context, so I don’t know what to write on the card. Are they in a relationship?” I ask casually.
“They’ve been out a few times.” Sam pauses for a moment. “Mr. Quinn isn’t really the type for serious relationships. Although he does seem to be quite taken with Miss Taylor, so who knows. Just keep it vague.”
The irritating jealousy in my chest sharpens.
“Yeah, he doesn’t seem like the hearts-and-flowers type of guy.” I laugh lightly. I wonder if Maria gets to experience Killian’s softer side. “Thanks, Sam. Call in when you drop Teagan off from ballet.” Seeing Sam will be a nice distraction. Compared to Killian, he’s like a ray of sunshine.
“Sure thing,” he drawls. “Remember, we’ll be thirty minutes late this evening. She has the monthly showcase.”
“The what?”
“Once a month, there’s a showcase; the parents and others get to sit in and watch.”
“Oh.” Teagan never mentioned it this morning, but she’s not exactly a morning person. “Is it a big deal?”
“Not sure, sorry, Clodagh. That’s as far as my knowledge goes. I wait outside and make sure no one tries to assassinate her.”
I chuckle a little, thinking he’s joking, then realize he isn’t. “Wow. Another day at the office, huh? Is the threat of danger really that high?”
The line grows silent for a few moments. “He won’t take another risk.”
I ponder whether or not it’s a good idea to enter this conversation but plunge onward anyway. “This is about Teagan’s mum, right?”
“Yeah. It’s known about… but Mr. Quinn doesn’t like to talk about it.” Sam sounds wary. “I gotta go. I’ll chat to you later, Clodagh.”
“Hey, Sam?” I say quickly. “Wait up. Does Killian, I mean Mr. Quinn, go to the showcase?” Seriously, is Sam not allowed to call him Killian after five years? “You said parents attend?”
“No, he doesn’t.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know,” he says slowly, sounding surprised at the question. “You’d have to ask him.” He clears his throat. “But I wouldn’t advise you to.”
“Do the other parents go?”
“I see others go in. I’m mainly checking for threats, so I don’t keep tabs.”
So no one turns up for Teagan.
The more time I spend with Teagan, the harder my heart aches for her. Underneath the moodiness is a vulnerable little girl. She has an amazing education, she lives in a luxurious mansion in the poshest part of New York, from the pictures on the walls, she’s traveled all over the world with her father, and she has more electronics than Japan.
But I wouldn’t want her life at her age. She seems to spend more time with security guards than with her own family.
I know Killian tries. He gets home every night and looks exhausted but still tries to spend time with Teagan.
“I’m going to come with you to ballet,” I tell Sam. “Can you collect me on the way?”
Maybe I’m not doing the right thing. Who knows how Teagan will react when I turn up, but I’ll feel guilty if I don’t at least try.
“Of course.” Sam sounds chuffed. “I’d love the company.”
I hang up and call the florist and ask them to send their most pretentious bouquet to Maria Taylor.
Use your initiative.
I’ll show him initiative.
“What’s the message?” she asks me.
I grin. “To my babe,” I say slowly. “From your dreamboat, Killian. Then add ten kisses and ten hugs.”
Technically, I’m doing as he told me.
***
Sam heads back outside to sit in the car while I’m led into the viewing gallery of the ballet studio.
I’m nervous as hell. Is this a stupid idea? What if Teagan doesn’t want me here? I didn’t tell her I was coming.
I expect a school gym like the one where I used to play netball but find myself in a large intimidating studio with mirrors on all the walls and bright lights reflecting off them. The viewing gallery above the stage is packed.
It takes me a moment to register which dancer Teagan is. They all look alike with their blue leotards and soft satin shoes as they point and flex on their tiptoes, warming up. With the mirrors around the studio walls, it looks like there are twice as many of them.
At least the food coloring has faded to a dull red.
Some chatter, looking relaxed. Others stand in statuesque poses, deep in concentration.
Teagan looks nervous. She’s alone as she stretches, arching her body and reaching her arms to the ceiling. She doesn’t even look up at the viewing gallery.
From the crowd in the viewing gallery, it seems everyone’s parents are here except for Teagan’s. There are even some kids.
I squeeze into the only vacant seat left in the second row behind all the parents chatting.
This seems like a bigger deal than Sam thought. Does Killian realize?