Love Entwined Read Online Free Page B

with the bridal party learning iconic eighties numbers and the last thing I wanted was for my uncoordinated ass to be plastered on the Internet for all eternity.
    As engrossed as I was watching Greg’s niece and nephew, I didn’t notice anyone approaching me from behind.
    “Care to dance?” Bentley whispered, placing his arms around my shoulders and pulling me into him. I quickly stepped out of his embrace, not wanting myself to so easily fall into the comfort he was offering me.
    “Shit!” I said, punching him in the arm. “Don’t do that again, you scared me.”
    “Sorry, I forgot my Shamrock was really more of a pansy,” he said with a chuckle.
    “I see you haven’t changed at all. Still the same smart ass you were as a teenager,” I said, not humored at his attempt at sarcasm.
    “You’re confusing me, Shamrock.”
    “Why am I confusing you?” I snapped.
    “For starters you need to lighten up a bit,” he suggested, rolling his eyes. “And, secondly, you’re confusing me because I noticed you staring at me—your eyes practically devouring me during the ceremony. But since then you’ve avoided me like the plague. And, now I ask you to dance and instead of falling into my arms you recoil like I’m a snake. What gives, Ireland?”
    I sighed, knowing that he’d eventually want answers.
    “I’m not avoiding you and I definitely wasn’t staring. I see we can add vanity to your list of attributes,” I said, straight-faced.
    “Seriously, Shamrock, stop the charade,” he pleaded. “I know you. This girl isn’t you. And, I know Katie well enough to know that her best friend wouldn’t be a first class bitch.”
    I stopped at his words. He was right; I was putting up a front. I had to shut him out now, or run the risk of losing him all over again. I already lost him once before, and I think I’d crumble if I had to go through that pain and torment again.
    “I guess you’re going for the silent treatment now, huh? Oh wait, I remember now, you’re more of a Flashdance girl, aren’t you? Why didn’t you just say something? I’m sure I can request a song,” he said with a knowing smirk.
    “Oh my god! Isn’t that what we danced to at my Aunt Char’s wedding? I can’t believe you actually remember that,” I chuckled. “You wanted nothing to do with me. You were dancing so far away from me that a third person could have been between us. You didn’t even want to hold my hands!”
    “Yeah, I guess it took me awhile to realize how great you were,” he said with a wink.
    Without even thinking, I put my hand to my neck and began fingering my heart-shaped locket. It had always provided me with comfort when I’d been in an uneasy situation.
    “Is that—is that what I think it is?” Bentley questioned, before reaching out and placing three fingers on my chest.
    My breath hitched at his touch. I said a silent prayer that he hadn’t noticed. He moved his fingers and placed them over mine on the locket.
    “Relax, Ireland. It’s just me,” he whispered, as he opened the locket to reveal the two photographs I kept tucked safely inside. On the left was a picture of my mother and me during my Aunt Char’s wedding reception. She’d picked me up and was twirling me around the dance floor when my Uncle James had captured the moment. On the right side was a picture of Bentley and me on the day we’d finished the tree house behind his parents’ cabin in the Smokies.
    “You still wear this?” he questioned.
    “Every day,” I whispered, holding back the tears that were just beginning to well up.
    “I’m sorry, Bentley, but I can’t do this. Not tonight—maybe not ever,” I said, as I turned to walk away.
    “Don’t run again, Ireland,” Bentley said, grabbing me by the shoulders.
    “Run?” I practically seethed. “You think I ran? I didn’t have a choice, Bentley! They took me away. I didn’t have anywhere to go. I had to leave.”
    “You could have stayed with us. I told you before the