Page 78 of Fifth Avenue Fling

She looks at me quizzically, then her lips turn into a mocking half smile. “Isn’t it obvious, Killian? Ilikeit. They just throw me some tips. I put a sign up at the bar, and it got a bit of interest.” She looks between Teagan and me. “What are you two up to today?”

“I’m stuck inside this prison because I’m not allowed to decide anything in my life,” Teagan pipes up.

Clodagh smiles sympathetically in return. “At least it’s a nice prison.”

“One of the team will drive you to Queens and pick you up again,” I tell her.

“Oh no, it’s fine.” She waves a hand dismissively. “I’ll take the subway.”

“Nonsense.” I reach for my phone, annoyed that she’s refusing my offer of a ride. “I’ll call one of the team.” Although the way I catch Sam and the others eyeing up Clodagh, I feel like I want to drive her myself.

“It’s fine, really,” she says more firmly. “I like the subway.”

“Youlikethe subway?” Teagan looks up, disgusted. “But it’s supposed to be dirty and crowded. I would never go on the subway.”

Clodagh’s mouth falls open. “What? You mean you’ve never been on the subway?”

Teagan’s face scrunches up. “Nope.”

“Seriously?” Clodagh laughs. “Oh my God, it’s the only way I get around. I consider it a tourist attraction. It was top of my New York bucket list.”

“Eww.” Teagan wrinkles her nose. “You can be so weird sometimes, Clodagh.”

“Manners.”IshootTeagana warning look.“Just because you don’t use the subway doesn’t mean you can make rude comments about people who do.”

Clodagh’s hands come up to pull her hair into a tighter ponytail. “We don’t have subway systems where I’m from in Ireland. I’d be lucky if the bus came on time. I like riding the New York subway and being surrounded by so many strangers. It makes me feel like I’m a part of something bigger.” She shrugs. “Anything new is exciting in my book.”

“Anything?” I raise a brow skeptically. “I’m not sure that theory holds up.”

She rolls her eyes andswingsthebackpackontohershoulders, pushing out her chest as she does so. I try not to notice. “Well, you won’t know if you don’t try. You sound just like the grumpy footballers in my yoga class. They always thought yoga was a waste of time.” She smiles. “Now the whole team comes every Saturday religiously.”

“The whole football team?” Teagan asks with a hint of interest.

“Yup.” Clodagh nods. “It’s funny how it started out as an activity for a few ladies, but now consists of mostly young Irish footballers.”

“Oh.” Teagan looks even more intrigued.

Clodagh pauses to glance at me before addressing my daughter. “Do you want to come, Teagan?”

“No,” I answer for her. “She’s grounded.”

“Ugh,” Teagan shrieks, slamming her phone on the table. “You’re not letting me work out? That is so wack.”

I narrow my eyes on my daughter. Work out? Bullshit. If the yoga class wasn’t full of football players, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.

Clodagh barely hides a smirk.

“Besides,” I say to my scowling daughter. “You’re not imposing on Clodagh’s day. She doesn’t want to see us on the weekends.”

“Not at all,” Clodagh says warmly. “I don’t mind.”

“I’ve always wanted to try yoga.” Teagan pouts. “And I need to get out of the house. I’m going insane.”

“I’m not stupid, Teagan,” I warn her. “It’s got more to do with the fact that football players will be there. I already said I’d take you out to lunch.”

“But I would rather do yoga,” she sniffs, giving me her best doe-eyed look. “Pleaaaase, Daddy? I’ll have the security guys with me.”

I know when I’m being played. “If you think you’re talking to any football players, you have another thing coming.”

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