Page 111 of Tempting Irish

“Ye’re first album,” Emer says quickly. “Aiden says it’s almostfinished.”

“Cillian hasn’t stopped talking about it.” Delaney rubs a palm over her extended belly, looking like she’s ready to pop at any moment. “He says it’s brilliant. I can’t wait to finally hearit.”

My cheeks burn at the compliment. “It’s all sosurreal.”

A small little wail has Emer turning to the stroller behindher.

“Oh, you brought Cadence,” I gush, happy to take the baby from her arms when Emer hands her to me. “She’s getting sobig.”

The baby smiles up at me with a toothless grin. Already, she’s starting to look likeEmer.

“Looks good on ye,” Owen’s warm voice rasps in my ear, sending a shiver down myspine.

I glance up at him and suck in a breath. We haven’t talked about babies, or even marriage. Not that I expect him to. I’m happy where we’re at right now. We haven’t made any official promises, but when he smiles at me the way he is now, and when he touches me, I have everything I need. Everything I could everwant.

And if that makes me a little bit like my mom, I don’t care, because some things, somepeople, are worth therisk.

The conversation is easy, like it always is among our group, and it hits me halfway through dinner that I’m a part ofthem.

Myfamily.

Myfriends.

Myroots.

This is where Ibelong.

Tears prick the backs of my eyes. I take Owen’s hand under the table, and he glances over at me, concern drawing his browsdown.

“Ye all right?” He brushes his thumb across my bottomlip.

“Justhappy.”

His lips twitch up slightly. He takes my hand, brushing my knuckles across his lips before standing. He picks up his champagne glass. “I want to make a toast toBree.”

The table goes quiet, a nervous tension mixed with excitement seeming to hum like an almost visibleenergy.

Owen takes a visible breath. “Shane and I both want to thank ye for being Lucky Fours’ first signed artist. I believe in ye and this record. Ye’ve got a truly special gift, and I’m proud to be part of the journey to help bring it to theworld.”

There are claps, and Shane hoots, while the others lift theirglasses.

“Thank you.” I sip my champagne, the damn tears I was holding in earlier slipping down mycheek.

“Ye’re not allowed to cry just yet,” Owen says, pulling my chair out, then kneeling in front of me on oneknee.

It takes me a full second to realize what he’sdoing.

He takes my hand, and I feel him tremble. I hear the long, uneven breath he lets out. “I love ye,Bree.”

A tangle of emotions has me twisted up inside, but I know one thing is true. “I love you,too.”

He grins and lets out another nervous breath, then drags a hand through his hair. “I had this all planned out, but the words…Shit, I’ve never been so damnnervous.”

There’s a small rumble of laughter around thetable.

“I once told ye that if ye had strong roots, ye could survive anything. And I know ye felt for a long time like ye didn’t have any. But ye’re stronger than anyone I know.” His voice is like gravel, filled with emotion. “But I want ye to know ye don’t have to be alone anymore. Never again. We’re yer family. AndI…”

He pulls out a small box from his pocket and rolls it around in hispalm.

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