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That takes a second to register.“You own The Emerald Briar?”

His smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth.“Surprised?”

I don’t answer.My thoughts are too jumbled to form a coherent response.He told me his family owned hotels, and this is exactly the kind of empire he’d run—polished, successful, untouchable.

“What about you?”he asks, his voice cutting through my thoughts.“What are you doing here?”

“A friend’s party,” I manage, keeping my tone neutral.

His gaze sharpens, scanning my face for something I’m not willing to offer.“And are you staying?”

I shake my head, my answer coming quickly.“No.I’m only here for the evening.”

Before the silence stretches too long, I notice a subtle shift in Eamon’s posture.His shoulders stiffen, and his jaw tightens as his eyes focus on something behind me.

The change is so sudden, so sharp, that it sends a prickle of unease down my spine.I glance quickly over my shoulder and spot Shane approaching.His gaze is steady, curious but relaxed, as he closes the distance.

When I turn back to Eamon, his expression is harder, and the faint smirk on his lips is gone entirely.His piercing blue eyes have turned cold, as he watches Shane approach.It’s not only anger.

It’s jealousy—pure and unmistakable.

The air feels heavier, the tension between us palpable.My heart pounds in my chest as I meet Eamon’s gaze, the unspoken tension in his expression enough to make my breath hitch.

This isn’t going to end well.

Eamon

I seehim before she does.A tall man with dirty blond hair, his easy stride carrying him toward us like he doesn’t have a care in the world.But I care.My jaw tightens as I watch his gaze dart between me and Eve.

“There you are,” he says as he sidles up beside her.“I thought I lost you for a minute.”

The tension in Eve’s posture is immediate, her shoulders stiffening as she glances at him, then back to me.There’s a flash of panic in her eyes before she masks it, but I see it.

“And you are?”I ask, keeping my tone calm, though the fury simmering beneath it is anything but.

He extends a hand, his smile disarming.“Shane.Aoife’s date.”

Aoife.The name catches me off guard.It’s unfamiliar, yet undeniably her.I’ve called her Eve for so long that hearing something different feels like a betrayal and a revelation.It pulls at something deep, something raw.

But thendate.

That single word twists the knife.I barely stop myself from reacting, my hand curling at my side before I force it to relax.I’ve spent too long looking for her.Spent too many nights wondering where she was or who she might be with.And now she’s here, and this man thinks he can lay claim to her?

“A pleasure,” I say, my voice tight as I grip his hand briefly before letting go.“Eamon.Owner of The Emerald Briar.”

Shane nods, oblivious to the storm brewing under the surface.“Nice place.”

Aoife glances at me, her expression a mix of guilt and unease.Good.She should feel it.

“Anyway,” Shane continues, turning back to her, “they’re waiting for you to sing Happy Birthday.You ready to head back?”He places a hand lightly on her arm.The movement makes my blood boil.

“She’s not going anywhere,” I say, stepping closer to her.

Shane looks confused, his brow furrowing.“Sorry?”

Aoife jumps in quickly, her voice unsteady.“You go back without me.I’ll be there in a minute.”

He hesitates.“You sure?”