Page 85 of Tempting Irish

Despite my attempt to just sit back and watch the women interact and fuss over Emer, they pull me into their chatter, not giving me a chance to retreat into myself like I usually do aroundpeople.

There’s a strength here. One that wraps around me, blanketing me in hope. And I know this is what Owen meant when he talked about the Daraknot.

These people, even though I hadn’t see them in years; they’re my family. Nothing, not even time or distance, will ever changethat.

“Ye all right?” Emer asks as we get ready to leave thehotel.

“Thank you for letting me be a part oftoday.”

She squeezes my hand. “I’m grateful that ye’rehere.”

I ride in the limo with Emer, Delaney, and Agnus to the church. Once we get there, they’re ushered away by the event planner into a small room to wait for the guests to arrive, allowing me time to findOwen.

The pews are already filling up, and I’m shocked and a little overwhelmed by the security and media that is lined up around the church. I know that the band’s manager had done everything in his power not to have the wedding publicized, but with how big Wild Irish is, it’s not all that surprising that it wasleaked.

“Bride or groom?” a deep American voice says behindme.

Friendly green eyes greet me when I turn. “Excuseme?”

“Are you here for the bride or thegroom?”

“Oh.” I blush under his appraising eye. “Both, Iguess.”

“You’re American.” He gives me a crooked grin, exposing a dimple in his cheek, and holds out ahand.

“From Michigan,” I say, answering his question before heasks.

“What a coincidence. So amI.”

He’s cute. Where Owen is dark, brooding, and tatted, this guy reminds me of a varsity football player with his thick shoulders and sandy blond hair that falls over light browneyes.

“I’m Chris.” He extends ahand.

I shake it, aware of the lack of spark when we touch. “Bree.”

“I work sound and lighting for Wild Irish,” he says, with a hint of cockiness, like it should impress me. “Thought I’d stick around for the big wedding before I wenthome.”

“Must be hard now that the tour’sover.”

He shrugs. “Got a new gig starting next month.” He leans closer. “Give me your number and I can get youtickets-”

A large hand wraps around my waist and I’m pulled back against a hardbody.

I let out a shocked little yelp, and look up to find Owen glaring daggers at the otherman.

“Chris,” Owen says gruffly. “Thought ye would have gone home bynow.”

Chris raises an eyebrow, his gaze dropping to where Owen’s palm circles my waist possessively. He sighs, and I see the resignation form in his expression. “Didn’t want to miss thewedding.”

“Then ye better get a seat.” Owen’s voice isclipped.

There’s a brief, tension-filled moment where the two men hold each other’s gaze, unblinking, before Chris lets out a small chuckle andnods.

“It was nice meeting you,Bree.”

“Youtoo.”

Owen continues to glare at the man’s back as he walksaway.

---