Page 28 of Tempting Irish

No one speaks, but I feel the perplexed glances that dart between Owen andI.

I push my chair back and start to stand. “It was nice seeing you all, but I really shouldgo-”

“Sit,” Owen orders, the word more of a command than a request. He holds out his coffee cup when a server comes by with apot.

I swallow past the lump in my throat and slowly sink back into mychair.

“Owen,” Emer starts, but she shuts her mouth on whatever reprimand she was going to say, when he pierces her with alook.

“Bree.” There’s ice in the way he says my name, and the fire and passion from the night before is gone. “Did I miss why ye’re back inIreland?”

I hear the hidden meaning in the question, and see the suspicion in hisgaze.

“I…” Licking my lips, I shift in myseat.

“She doesn’t need a reason to come home,” Emer says sternly, glaring athim.

“Is that what ye’re doing?” Gray eyes remain locked on me. “Cominghome?”

I understand now what’s eating at him the most. Not that I didn’t tell him who I was, but that I might be staying. That he might actually have to see meagain.

Straightening my shoulders, I lift my chin and harden my gaze, and my heart. “Maybe. I haven’t decided yet. Actually, Emer just invited me to her and Aiden’s wedding, so I think I’ll be sticking around at least aweek.”

He doesn’t respond, but I see his nostrils flare, the slight twitch of hiseye.

I push my chair back, holding his gaze and daring him to tell me to sit again, then murmur a quick thank you to Emer, before making a quick escape, knowing nothing I could say would make this any better, or any less awkward. And wondering how different the reunion would have been if I’d just told Owen from the start who Iwas.

Trouble always had a way of finding me, but this time I’d dug my own grave. I’m just not ready to lie down init.

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