‘It’s not right that you left her for a man you met in Marbella.’ I snatch the glass out of her hands and put it back in the cupboard. I want her gone.
‘Left her, or you? Let’s be honest Cillian, that’s what really bothers you, isn't it?’ Teagan jabs her index finger into my chest. ‘That another man did it for me, when you couldn't.’
‘Couldn't? Or wouldn't?’ I bite, stepping back. ‘We both know things were over long before you went to Marbella, but seriously, to up and leave your own baby, then just waltz back in here like it’s the most natural thing in the world and have the cheek to judge my parenting?’ I blow out a breath. ‘Leave, Teagan. We all know it’s just a matter of time anyway.’
A buzz sounds from the hallway and Teagan’s head snaps in the direction of the front door. ‘I’ll get it,’ she insists, strutting out of the kitchen.
‘This is not your house. Nor ever will be.’ I stride past her and hit the button to open the gate. Headlights swing up the driveway.
I hope Ava is ready for this. I should have warned her that Teagan’s here with the claws out. But in fairness, it’s what she signed up for.
A sleek midnight-blue Porsche crunches up the gravel driveway. I open the front door. Teagan loiters behind me. I don’t have to look round to know her jaw is on the floor and she’s probably salivating over Ava’s car.
All I see is its impracticality. Another reminder we are worlds apart.
What Teagan sees is status. And a world she chose to be part of.
If she had any idea who Ava’s brother is, she’d probably wet herself. While Nate Jackson is impressive, he has nothing on his little sister as far as I’m concerned. A fact that’s both thrilling and worrying in equal measures.
Ava pulls up to the front door and steps out of the car. She beams at me with one of her trademark smiles. From the way she barely gives Teagan a second glance, I gather she has the measure of the situation.
‘Hi, baby.’ Pet names turn my stomach – previously at least. Not tonight. The cavalry has arrived. Ava’s hips swagger as she struts up to the front door like she’s done this a million times before. She places her palms on my chest as her mouth crushes mine with a possessive carnality. My lips part as she steals the breath from my chest.
The rest of the world fades away. It’s just her and me kissing on the step again. And it’s even better than the replay that’s been looping through my head all damn day. She smells like jasmine and tastes like sin. Her lips are soft and moist and loaded with promise.
Teagan clears her throat and Ava breaks the kiss, leaving me longing for so much more.
‘Oh, sorry, I didn't see you there! You must be the housekeeper. Matilda, is it?’ Ava palms her chest in a faux display of horror. Laughter bubbles in my chest. Oh, she is good.
Teagan’s jaw clenches tight as her beady eyes rake over her ‘successor’, scrutinising her from her loose long dark hair to her heeled leather ankle boots. Ava looks as understated and sexy as ever.
‘I’m Phoebe’s mother.’ Teagan juts her chest out with an air of self-importance.
Yeah, only by birth.
‘Oh, I’m Ava, Cillian’s girlfriend. I love your dress. Are you going somewhere special?’ Ava beams, killing Teagan with kindness. Why does it not surprise me that Ava is trying to make Teagan feel good in some small way, even while she’s putting her in her place?
Because she has the warmest heart of anyone I’ve ever met, that’s why.
Teagan scrutinises Ava’s casual jeans and chocolate-coloured jacket snidely and stares pointedly in my direction. ‘More like seeingsomeonespecial.’
‘It’s a nice gesture. Really though, I guess it doesn’t matter what a woman wears, when it’s inevitably going to end up on the floor.’ Ava winks knowingly at Teagan, whose temple is throbbing with rage.
‘I’m honoured to meet you,’ Ava beams again, before delivering the fatal blow, ‘especially given you’re rarely here.’
A wince creases Teagan’s eyes.
‘Come on in, sweetheart. I’ve just opened a bottle of red.’ I take Ava’s hand, entwining my fingers in hers. Electricity pulses between us.
Teagan’s ashen features furrow into a frown. My sternum tightens. I might be cold, but I’m not cruel. If she does still have any feelings for me, this must be hard to take. Then again, if she had any feelings for me at all, would she have cheated on me and left in the first place?
An image of Phoebe’s bloodshot eyes and snotty nose surges from the depth of my memory vault. All trace of guilt vanishes.
Teagan needs to understand she can’t just waltz in and out of our lives when she feels like it. And if pretending Ava Jackson is my girlfriend is the only way to reinforce that point, then so be it.
‘It was lovely to meet you.’ Ava nudges past her and drags me into my own hallway. Teagan hovers for a split second before stalking across to her Mercedes.
I close the front door and slump back against it, exhaling a heavy sigh of relief. Ava swivels on her heels, taking in every detail of my home. ‘You could have warned me.’
