Page 4 of Tempting Irish

Chapter 1

Owen

You’d think,after all these years, I’d be used to it. The feeling of my heart being torn from my chest every time I see themtogether.

But I’m not. Not sure I’ll ever get used to seeing my best friend and the only woman I’ve ever really cared about lip-locked like they’re the other’s only source ofoxygen.

Aiden lets out a deep, rumbling laugh as Emer whispers something into his ear. One tattooed arm reaches out to draw her closer to his side, protectively. She smiles up at him like he hung the fucking stars in the sky, a hand resting on her very pregnantbelly.

I grunt and take a deep swallow of beer, motioning for the pretty little waitress that’s been batting her long, fake eyelashes at me all night, to bring me another one, then lean back in my chair and try to ignore the pressure of the mounting migraine that pounds inside myhead.

Goddamn headaches have been getting worse lately. Especially after a show. And last night’s concert was epic. Who would have thought a few years ago that we’d be able to sell out the Aviva Stadium? And being our last concert for God knows how long, we gave our fans here in Dublin a show they’ll neverforget.

My gaze roams around the table and I hide the frown that tugs at my lips behind my beerbottle.

We’re supposed to be celebrating. But no matter how many beers I toss back, that empty hole inside me just keeps cutting deeper anddeeper.

I knew things were going to change when Emer dropped the bomb that she was expecting. Because there was no way in hell Aiden was going to leave her alone with a baby. Not that I blame him. If I was in his shoes, I’d have made the samedecision.

There was talk among the men to replace him for a second tour, but after my brother Cillian’s announcement last week that he and his wife Delaney would be welcoming their own little Gallagher later this year, we made the decision to put all talk of touring onhold.

Family came first.Always.

But family, to me, had always been the other three men sitting around the table. Cillian. Aiden. Shane. With Cillian and Aiden starting their own families, I don’t really know what that means forme.

Emer rests her head on Aiden’s shoulder, her fingers twining with his, a look of contentment softening her features. Aiden catches me watching them, and his grin stretches across his face like he knows he’s the luckiest bastard on the planet. There’s no arrogance in the look. No hint that he knows how fucking jealous I am of what he has. Justhappiness.

Asshole.Me. Nothim.

I force a smile, something I’ve become good at lately, and ignore the bitterness the burns up my throat, focusing instead on what a bastard I am for pining after my best friend’sgirl.

Emer yawns, her eyes growing heavy. It’s been a long week. And we’re allexhausted.

“I think ye better take my sister to bed,” Shane says to Aiden, flipping his dark hair out of his eyes, then groaning. “Jeezus, did I really just saythat?”

Aiden grins at Shane and chuckles. “Mypleasure.”

“Asshole,” Shanemutters.

Emer just shakes her head at them, then admits with a small yawn. “I amtired.”

“And Ma hasn’t even arrived yet.” Shane says through a grunt. “Justwait.”

With a groan, Emer stands. “Remind me to thank her for planning a wedding right after yourtour.”

“It’syourwedding,” my sister-in-law Delaney says, brushing her long hair off her shoulder. “You should beexcited.”

“I don’t need a big celebration to tell me what I already know.” Emer takes Aiden’s hand. “This man ismine.”

“Always,” Aiden says, cupping the back of her head and kissing her hard, his palm resting on her stomach. “But ye know yer mother won’t believe we’re really married until ye’re standing in front of a priest. Doesn’t matter that we’ve got a certified Vegas wedding certificate to proveit.”

“I still can’t believe ye tied the knot that way,” Shane says, shaking his head. “Ye nearly broke Mom’s heart. But ye made me the favorite child for a fewdays.”

Emer just laughs. “Ye’ve always been the favorite. She never really forgave me for not being a musical prodigy like youall.”

“I’m still convinced that Owen is her favorite,” Shane grins. “Ye never could do anything wrong in hereyes.”

I grunt. “Maybe if the two of ye didn’t find ways to torment the poorwoman-”

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