Page 88 of Tempting Irish

Maybe after I’ve dealt with everything –if I’m not charged with a criminal record– I can comeback.

Owen’s mood only gets darker when we get to the reception hall and find that we’re sitting at separate tables. Him at the table with Aiden, Emer, and the rest of Wild Irish, and me a few tables over with a bunch of people I don’tknow.

“I’ll have ye moved,” Owengrumbles.

“No. It’s fine. Agnus has been planning this for a long time. Your table is already full. I’m not asking someone to move forme.”

His jaw twitches and he shifts from one foot to the other, clearly agitated. “We need totalk.”

“Okay.” I frown up at him. “Thentalk.”

He rubs the back of his neck and looks away. “This. Us.It’s-”

“You don’t have to worry about my feelings. I knew what I was signing upfor.”

“Bree-”

“It’s fine.” I place my hand on his arm. “We have two more nights. Let’s enjoythem.”

His nostrils flare and his lips tighten. “I don’t want two more nights. Ithink-”

“Ye two okay?” Cillian asks, coming up behindOwen.

My chest is squeezing, my heart shredding inside mychest.

I don’t want two morenights.

He’s breaking things off with me –now.

“Fine,” I mutter, giving Cillian a forced smile before walking past them into the banquethall.

I’m not sure why I’m surprised. I’ve already had more time with him than he originallypromised.

He’d broken his one-night rule forme.

That’ssomething.

But, it isn’tenough.

I knew it never wouldbe.

“Looks like we’re sitting together,” Chris says, coming up behind me when I’m at my table, and pulling out a chair for me to sit. He gives me a crooked smile. “Luckyme.”

I can feel Owen’s hard gaze on me all through dinner, but I don’t give him the satisfaction of looking in his direction. Instead, I listen to Chris talk about himself, and answer the few questions he asks aboutme.

“I keep getting the death stare,” Chris says as the dessert plates are takenaway.

I glance over my shoulder and catch the murderous look Owen givesus.

“Don’t take it personally. He always looks likethat.”

Chris chuckles. “You two athing?”

I hesitate, glancing back at Owen again, who’s turned his attention to Emer. And even though I know she’s married, and that her heart belongs to Aiden, I can’t help the small twist of jealousy that turns inside my chest. Because I know that in Owen’s eyes, all women, including myself, will always be measured byher.

“No,” I sayfinally.

It’s thetruth.

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