Chapter 6
Two weeks later, Lucy breezed into the kitchen, wearing yoga pants, a t-shirt, and fuzzy slippers. She yawned, making a bee line for the coffee machine.
“First day off in a fortnight.”
Abbey was peeling and slicing carrots for the lunch boxes. “How long have you been waiting to use that word?”
Lucy laughed. “From the moment I first heard it.”
“What are your plans for this day off?”
“For one, I’m taking a much-needed break from all electronics.” Lucy set her cup under the coffee maker and popped a pod into the top. “No computers and no checking my email. I will, however, be watching loads of trashy television.”
Over the past two weeks, Lucy dedicated every waking moment to planning, strategizing, and meticulously testing each aspect of her migration project. With the next four days off, she had a small window for recovery before spending the weekend diving into the actual migration.
“No social media?” Abbey’s eyes widened. “Oh, that reminds me, I wanted to set up your Flare account today.”
“My what?” Lucy poured milk into her coffee, reaching around Abbey for a spoon.
Abbey threw up her hands. “It’s the latest and greatest dating app. You work in tech, and you don’t know what Flare is?”
Lucy rolled her eyes. “I’ve been locked in a tiny office for two weeks, testing––things.” Lucy stopped herself before using technical terms Abbey wouldn’t understand. “I don’t pay any attention to dating apps; they change faster than the weather in Ireland.”
“Good one.” Abbey grinned.
Lucy may have been stuck inside an office most days, but she quickly adapted to Dublin’s finicky weather. One minute, it was raining; the next, it was sunny and warm, and just as the jackets had been packed away, a hail storm would blow through.
“Anyway, you have a few days off; what better way to blow off some steam than by blowing something.” Abbey wiggled her eyebrows.
Lucy rolled her eyes and groaned. “I didn’t move here to jump straight into the dating pool.”
“Who said anything about dating? Just jump someone.” Abbey smirked. “How about tin whistle guy? One more wild night. We could go back to that pub and find him. Or stake out the school and wait for him to reappear.”
Red crept across Lucy’s cheeks. “I think that bridge is still smoldering in ashes. I ghosted him. That’s what the kids call it, right?”
“Sounds right.”
“Speaking of school, I have a parent-teacher meeting with Kaylee’s teacher this morning. What are those all about?”
Abbey zipped up the lunch boxes and set them aside. “It’s what they call a parent/teacher conference here. You’ll get a quick update on her progress, and you can discuss any concerns. I have Lola’s tomorrow.”
Lucy sat down at the bar and sipped her coffee. “It will be nice to get an insider’s perspective. I hope she’s doing good. How do you think she’s adjusting?”
“She really likes school. I think she has adjusted.” Abbey scratched her head absently. “On another note, I’m on the committee for the Halloween Disco, and we could use a few extra hands.”
Lucy gave a curious look. “Disco? Like 70’s music. Abba and Stayin’ Alive?” She swayed her hips, pointing one finger at the ceiling before crossing it over her body to point at the floor like John Travolta.
Abbey laughed. “Disco means dance. It’s next Friday in the hall, and all the kids get to come. There will be food and drinks, everyone dresses up, and it’s great craic.”
“Craic, I know that one,” Lucy said proudly.
“She’s learning, folks.” Abbey tapped a finger to her nose. “We can dress up and supervise. You’ll get a peak into the school, see some of their friends, and maybe your hunky dad will be there helping too.”
“Hunky dad?” Kaylee entered the kitchen and made a face. “There’s a hunky dad at my school?”
Lucy shook her head wildly. “No, I thought I saw a guy I met at the pub.”
“Oh, the one you went home with,” Kaylee said casually, grabbing her lunch box and shoving it into her school bag.
Lucy’s face turned red, and her jaw hit the counter.
Kaylee squished up her face. “What? I’m twelve, Mom, come on. Did you think I didn’t know what was up when you didn’t come home from the pub that night?”
Lucy glanced down at her watch. “Okay, then. I need to change. I’m walking you to school this morning. I have my parent-teacher meeting.”
Without waiting for a response, Lucy ran up the stairs. While she never wanted Kaylee to be a prude and always tried to be open and honest with her daughter, Lucy couldn’t help feeling a little ashamed of her actions. She thought the one-night stands were far behind her, especially since she hadn’t had one since Kaylee turned double digits. Although they had “the talk” a few years ago, that didn’t mean Lucy was comfortable sharing details of her sex life with a twelve-year-old.
Exchanging her loose pants for skinny jeans, she shimmied and shook her hips into them. Shuffling through the closet, she found a light blue shirt that accentuated the green in her eyes. In the bathroom, she swiftly ran a brush through her tangled hair and brushed her teeth. Not in the mood to fuss with makeup, she applied a touch of mascara and some light concealer to hide the dark circles under her eyes.
Although the migration project would help distinguish herself within the company, it came with a price. She had spent many sleepless nights staring at a computer screen. Rob had told her to delegate and use her team, but scars from the past still haunted her. The consequence of people repeatedly letting her down made it difficult to rely on others.
“Good enough,” she muttered, heading back down the stairs.
“Ohh, you look fancy,” Abbey said, leaning against the kitchen door frame.
“Fancy? This is casual,” replied Lucy. “I feel like a mess.”
Abbey shook her head. “You don’t look like a mess. You look hot in those skinny jeans. Causal never looked so good.”
“Are you hitting on me?” Lucy laughed.
“Are you hoping to run into a certain someone?” Abbey wiggled her brows.
Lucy glared at Abbey. “I didn’t even think about that––until now.”
“Let’s go, Mom,” Kaylee called impatiently from the front door.
“Shall I walk a few feet behind you?” Lucy teased her daughter.
“No. I’m not embarrassed of you. I just don’t want to be late.” Kaylee looped her arm around her mother’s. “I’m excited for you to meet Aidan; he’s so cool. He might be the funnest teacher I’ve ever had.”
“Really?”
Kaylee nodded, babbling with enthusiasm. “We’re doing a bunch of different science experiments right now, and they are so fun. It doesn’t feel like work; he makes learning fun.”
Lucy’s heart soared hearing the excitement and joy in her daughter’s voice. Back in their hometown, Kaylee was a great student but never enjoyed school. Here, Kaylee couldn’t get enough of school and dreaded the weekends, a huge turnaround.
Lucy relaxed on the walk to school, delighting in the extra time with Kaylee and Lola. Once the migration work was complete and she earned a promotion, she could work from home more and be present when Kaylee arrived from school.
“Aunt Abbey asked me to help at the Halloween Disco,” Lucy said, testing the waters.
“Yes, you should; it’s so much fun,” Lola said. “Mom does it every year; she would love if you were there.”
“How would you feel about that, Sweetie?” Lucy turned her attention to Kaylee. “I wouldn’t do it if it made you uncomfortable.”
Kaylee gave her mother a huge grin. “Why would you think that? When have I ever been embarrassed by you? If you want to help, you should. I don’t care.”
Lucy shrugged. “I guess the thought of my mother showing up at a school event would have horrified me.”
Lucy couldn’t help but project her past onto Kaylee. Back in high school, everyone called her mother a drunk and a whore. Lucy heard them whispering as she walked past; sometimes, those whispers turned into taunts yelled in her direction. That was a big part of why she was a loner in high school; kids were cruel.
“You’re not as quirky as grandma,” Kaylee told her.
Lucy laughed; she didn’t have the heart to tell Kaylee her grandmother was far beyond quirky.
“You would want me there?” Lucy asked as they entered the front gates of the school.
“Of course,” Kaylee said. “I can introduce you to some of my friends, and maybe you can meet some other parents.”
Lucy’s heart warmed; she didn’t miss the subtle encouragement in her daughter’s words. “I’ll talk to my boss.”
Kaylee hugged her mom, and Lucy felt her heart soar; she wasn’t an embarrassment after all.
Kaylee waved as she walked into the school. “Say hi to Aidan for me.”
Lucy still found it strange hearing her daughter call the teacher by his first name; it seemed very informal. Dismissing the thought, she headed to the small counter belonging to the school secretary.
“Hi, you okay?”
“I’m Lucy Saunders.”
“Oh, Kaylee’s mum,” the woman behind the counter said. “Such a lovely girl. How is she finding things?”
“Good, I think.” Lucy suddenly felt shy. “I guess I’m about to find out.”
The lady smiled warmly. “I’m Niamh. If you need anything or have any questions, give me a ring.” She opened a notebook and set it on the counter. “You need to sign in here. Follow the signs up the stairs and to the left.”
“Okay, thanks.”
Lucy signed the book, repeating the directions as she climbed the stairs. Thankfully, at the top of the stairs, a sign pointed toward the meeting rooms. Lucy followed the hall to the end, where a woman sat quietly on the couch.
“Hello,” she said, sliding over to make room for Lucy. “I haven’t seen you around here. Are you new to the school?”
“Yes. My daughter, Kaylee, is in sixth class.”
“American?” the woman asked.
“How did you know?”
The woman smiled. “Accent. What part are you from?”
Lucy found her comment amusing. This was the second Irish person pointing out she was the one with an accent.
“Oregon, just outside of Portland.”
The woman extended her hand. “I’m Sinéad.”
“Lucy,” she said, taking the hand. “Are you here to see Aidan?”
“No. My son is in fourth class. I’m here for Eiméar.”
A door opened across from them, and a woman leaned out. “Sinéad?”
“Lovely to meet you,” Sinéad said before entering the room, the door closing behind her.
Lucy stared at her hands. A few minutes later, a woman emerged from behind a different door. Their eyes met briefly, and Lucy gave a smile. The woman nodded in response before striding down the hallway, her fashionable high heels clicking along the tiled floor.
“Lucy?” A deep baritone called from inside the room. “Come on in.”
Feeling nervous, she absently wiped her palms down her jeans before stepping into the room.
Kaylee’s teacher, Aidan, sat hunched over his desk, shuffling through papers. While straightening his tie, he pushed to a standing position and gestured to the chair in front of the table.
“Sorry, please have a…” his voice trailed off as their eyes met.
No, no, no! This was not happening.
She froze in place. Her legs suddenly turned to jelly, making it feel as if she had melted into this spot on the floor. She struggled to say something, anything, but her brain seemed to have malfunctioned. She was a deer in the headlights.
Aidan’s eyes grew wide as recognition crossed his face. A smile curved his lips, and he dropped down into his chair.
He ran a hand through his wavy hair. “Well, this is—unexpected.”
Kenny. His name was Kenny. Was she in the wrong room?
Her heart was beating so fast she thought she would pass out. A rush of heat coursed through her entire body, and a deep shade of crimson crept up her neck. Blinking rapidly, Lucy begged her body to calm down.
Her brain kicked into overdrive; flashes of a night not too long ago played through her memories.
No, not here,she silently begged.
Too late. Dirty screenshots flew around her mind. Panting and heavy breathing echoed in her ears. Images of his uncut penis mocked her; this was not the time to picture everyone in the room naked.
Her throat went dry. Silently, she mouthed a greeting, but no words escaped her lips.
Awkwardly, she fumbled for the chair, tossing her body down onto it.
Aidan remained silent as he watched her, his gaze intense and unwavering. He covered his mouth with a hand, clearly attempting to conceal a smile and laughter at her expense.
Lucy’s movements felt awkward as she tried to get comfortable in the chair, leaning forward and then sitting back, unable to hold still.
“All good there?” Aidan asked, trying to keep a straight face.
Lucy inwardly kicked herself. “Pull it together, Lucy.”
Aidan’s shoulders shook as he dropped his gaze and fiddled with the stack of papers in front of him. Grabbing a small pile, he lightly tapped the stack against the table, forcing them into perfect alignment.
Composing himself, he met her gaze again. “Lucy, is it?”
Amusement danced in those blue eyes. He seemed to be enjoying her discomfort a little too much.
Swallowing hard over the lump in her throat, she squeaked out, “Yes, Lucy.”
Absently, she wiped a hand over her forehead several times, trying to regain composure. “I thought your name was Kenny?”
He placed his chin in his palm, resting an elbow on the desk. “Funny, I don’t remember ya askin’ me name?”
Lucy felt as if her face had just burst into flames. She narrowed her eyes, desperately trying to erase the memories flashing through her mind, but couldn’t forget this man had seen her naked.
“You didn’t ask my name, either,” she said defensively.
Stop. Change the subject.
Lucy wanted to run out the door.
Aidan looked toward the ceiling thoughtfully. “My surname is Kenny. My mates call me that.”
Aidan Kenny. Now she knew Tin Whistle Man’s name.
Aidan seemed unfazed. He glanced down at the papers in front of him. “How is Kaylee finding things? Is she settling in?”
Lucy bit her bottom lip. Oh geez, Kaylee. Her one-night stand had been with Kaylee’s teacher. This was humiliating.
Words swirled around in her head, but she couldn’t escape the gutter of dirty thoughts her brain seemed stuck in.
“Can I get ya some water?”
Maybe he could toss cold water in her face to help her snap out of this daze.
Lucy inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. She had to pull it together and focus on Kaylee. “No, I’m fine. I think she’s doing good.”
“Grand,” Aidan nodded. “I’m happy with her progress. She’s kind, friendly, helpful, and fittin’ in well.”
Lucy could listen to his voice all day, not to mention that accent was an American’s wet dream. Aidan’s accent was thicker than Rob”s and most of her colleagues; she would have to ask Rob about accents later.
As he continued to speak of Kaylee’s progress, chills ran down her arms; she was grateful the jacket she wore hid them from view. Butterflies danced in her stomach as she watched his lips move. Dropping her gaze to his hands, she swallowed hard. Those hands had felt every part of her, gliding carelessly over every inch of her naked flesh.
Coughing to hide her arousal, she stared at the floor. She couldn’t look at him without her body responding. Electricity sparked through her as the urge to touch him became more than she could take. She imagined swiping the papers off the desk and letting him take her right now.
“Damn, stop that. Concentrate”.
“She can be shy sometimes,” Aidan continued talking. “Reluctant to raise her hand even when I’m positive she knows the answer.”
Lucy nodded, trying to focus on the words instead of the man speaking them.
Kaylee. This was about Kaylee.
Her palms were slick with sweat, and she continually rubbed them up and down her jeans.
Aidan’s gaze seemed to burn into her as he casually continued through the progress report.
How was he so calm when her every nerve was on edge?
“Are ya alright?” Aidan’s tone turned serious.
Damn.
She was making a fool of herself. She may have thought she was being subtle, but instead, she acted like a toddler doing the pee-pee dance. Or a meth addict. She couldn’t stop squirming and fidgeting.
“I’m sorry, I––it’s just––.” Lucy closed her eyes and raised a finger, indicating she needed a moment. Rubbing her hands over her face, she squared her shoulders and shifted her head from side to side as if working out a stiff neck muscle.
When she opened her eyes, Aidan was looking at her with an amused smile.
“Look, this is really awkward,” she exclaimed. Pushing out of the chair, she paced the small room. “You surprised me. I didn’t expect to see you again. Ever. Certainly, not here. Not now. My daughter’s teacher? You. You’re her teacher. What are the chances?”
Her tirade over, Lucy fell back into the chair, rubbing her temples. Aidan watched her intently but didn’t respond.
Lucy took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “Sorry, that was unprofessional,” she said quietly. “Let’s just focus on Kaylee. You were saying she can be shy?”
“Right.” Aidan snapped out of his thoughts. “Kaylee is adjusting well. I would like ta see her engage more. My one concern is her Irish; she’s far behind the other students. Is there anyone Irish in the home who can work with her?”
Her stupid heart skipped a few beats. Was he asking for himself or as a concerned teacher?
“No,” Lucy answered quickly. “Well, my brother-in-law is Irish, but I’ve never heard him speak the language.”
“Have you lived in Ireland long?”
Lucy blinked, confused as to why he was asking personal questions.
“I’m only askin’ because some exemptions exist for children over twelve who have recently moved from abroad.” Aidan went back to shuffling papers.
“Oh, umm yeah,” Lucy sputtered. “We just moved here a few months ago.”
“Ah, grand,” Aidan said. “She can apply for an exemption if you wish. Print out a form and hand it to Niamh at the front office.”
“Ok, great,” she responded.
“Do you have any concerns regarding Kaylee?”
Lucy shook her head; her only questions had nothing to do with Kaylee.
“Alright, well, it was good to officially meet ya,” Aidan said, standing. “If anythin’ does come up, feel free to email me.”
“Ok.” Lucy jumped out of the chair, knocking it over backward. “Oops.”
He smiled at her again. Her stomach did flip-flops.
As she approached the door, the air suddenly felt charged with tension and electricity. She hesitated, half convinced the door handle would shock her the moment she touched it.
The sound of a chair scraping against the floor sent a tingle up her spine. She sensed him standing behind her and could feel the heat from his body as he moved in closer. Her breath caught as he reached past to grasp the doorknob. Blood pounded in her ears. Once more, she was immobilized, unable to move. His breath tickled the nape of her neck, turning her legs to jelly.
“It was good to see ya again,” he whispered dangerously close to her ear.
He pulled open the door, breaking the tension as a cold breeze snapped her out of her trance. The next parent looked up from the couch, and Lucy ducked her red face. Feeling as if everyone could see the lust overtaking her body, she hurried down the hall without looking back.