Page 80 of Tempting Irish

Chapter 24

Bree

Being on stage,performing in front of all those people, was exhilarating. I’m still vibrating with the adrenaline rush as Owen and I make the long drive back to hisplace.

“I wish we could stay in Sligo for a few days,” I say, smiling as I take in the last of the sunrise falling behind the hills. I’d forgotten how beautiful the west coastis.

“We can come back after the wedding.” He doesn’t look at me when he says it, but I hear the promise in hiswords.

My heart rate speeds up abit.

Does he want me tostay?

Even if he does, I can’t.Shouldn’t.

“My flight leaves on Monday.” I say the words quickly, hating that I have to leavealready.

He’s silent, but I see his jaw clench, his knuckles whitening around the steeringwheel.

“I wasn’t joking when I said I want to sign ye. Ye’ve got a lot of talent,Bree.”

Is that what this isabout?

I shrug and look out the window into the darkness, thinking about hisoffer.

Could I do it? Sing. Write songs.Perform.

It’s what I always dreamedabout.

But what about Frank and this damn lawyer that’s after me? I need to keep my head down. Stay low. And pray that whatever the man wants, he’ll eventually lose patience and giveup.

Or, maybe I should just face my fears and confronthim.

“I appreciate the offer, but I don’t think it’s forme.”

“Ye already told me it’s what ye want. What ye’ve been dreaming about. What’s stoppingye?”

“Nothing,” I lie. “I just don’t want thatlife.”

He raises a brow at me. “And what life isthat?”

“Being in the spotlight. Always worryingabout…”

“Worrying aboutwhat?”

“What people think ofyou.”

He grunts. “Ye learn not tocare.”

“Have you?” I challenge. “You’re the one that was worried I’d bring trouble to yourimage.”

“I was protecting my family, not myname.”

I don’t know why, but frustration swells in my chest. “Right.”

He gives me a side glance, frowning, but he doesn’t say anything. We drive in silence for a long time, both caught up in our ownthoughts.

I pull out my phone when it buzzes with a message fromEmer.

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