Page 51 of Tempting Irish

“And nothing wrong with finding the love of yer life when ye’re sixteen years old,” Emer says, placing her hand on Aiden’s, her smile brightening her wholeface.

Shane grunts and gives a look like he’d rather be speared in the eyes with a fork than ever settle for what Emer and Aidenhave.

That’s where we’re different. It’s not that I don’t believe in family, or in findingthe one. I just know not everyone is that lucky. Watching my mother go through a revolving door of men and hostile relationships, I can say with certainty that there are very few Prince Charmings outthere.

“I’m not saying I don’t envy what you have,” I say, glancing back at Emer. “I’m just a realist. I don’t believe in fate orsoulmates.”

“That’s not what ye told me when we were little,” Emer says with a twinkle in her eye. “It was ye who convinced me to take a chance onAiden.”

“I didn’t know that,” Aiden says besideher.

“She gave me yer note. The one with the lyrics onit.”

My blood goescold.

Aiden chuckles. “I write music, sweetheart. Not poetry. Maybe ye had another secret admirer.” He cups her chin when she frowns. “If ye want me to write ye pretty words, I’d be happy to try. But that’s always been Cillian and Owen’sspecialty.”

“Wasn’t me,” Cillian says, putting his hands up and shaking his head, the look on his face pure horror at thethought.

There’s a clatter at the other end of the table when Owen drops his utensils on his plate and pushes his chairback.

No one says a word as we watch him storm out of therestaurant.

A tension-filled silence stretches between us, before Shane finally breaks it. “Can someone tell me what the hell justhappened?”

Looks pass between the men, before their attention turns tome.

Shit.

Emer is frowning when she says, “Ye told me Aiden wrote thenote.”

“I…” Shifting under their stares, I wince. “I wanted you to think hedid.”

“Bree?” Emerasks.

“I was twelve and stupid,and…”

“In love,” Emer says, a small smile tugging at herlips.

“Infatuated,” I correct her. “I’msorry.”

“Wait.” Shane sits up, his eyes widening when he finally understands. “Ye’re saying Owen used to crush on ye? Did ye knowthat?”

Emer shakes her head, while Aiden continues tofrown.

“I should go talk to him,” Aidensays.

“No.” Agnus pats her son-in-law’s arm before standing. “Letme.”

“That was awkward,” Shane says, when his motherleaves.

“Which is exactly why Owen never wanted anyone to know,” Aiden says, stillfrowning.

“Ye knew?” Emerasks.

He shrugs. “I had my suspicions when we wereyounger.”

“I’m really sorry,” I sayagain.

Emer places her hand on Aiden’s and squeezes it. “It might be wrong to say, but ye did me a favor. I’d been half in love with this buffoon since before I could ride a bike. Ye only gave me the courage to let himknow.”

Maybe. But I doubt Owen will see it thatway.

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