“Either I ask her, or you ask her,” declared Marshall in an ultimatum. “One of the two.”
“Can no one just ask her?” asked Gabe rhetorically.
“I’m going,” Marshall pulled his shoulder out of Gabe’s grasp and headed toward Britney.
With a grimace, Gabe quickly followed, trying to outpace his brother without looking like he was an idiot in a race across a crowded ballroom.
“Britney,” Marshall had a confident smile. “It has been a long time.”
“Marshall,” Britney acknowledged him with an uncertain look before glancing at a disgruntled Gabe. “Nice to see you.”
“I was wondering if we could talk privately a moment?” Marshall politely asked.
Gabe cut Britney off before she could answer. “Excuse me, this is our dance.”
“Pardon?” blinked Britney at Gabe in surprise. She knew for a fact he hadn’t asked her to dance. Gabe had never once ever asked her to dance.
“Ignore him,” Marshall kept his smile in place despite the fact only Gabe had Britney’s full attention. “Would you care to take a small walk with me?”
“Brit,” Gabe held out his hand in expectation.
There was a pause as Britney looked at the brothers in confusion before slowly taking Gabe’s hand. “You are going to explain what this is all about?”
“Absolutely,” promised Gabe with a grimace.
“If he doesn’t, I’ll be more than happy to,” vowed Marshall as he patted his breast pocket.
“I don’t like ultimatums,” Gabe glared at Marshall.
“Neither do I, yet here we are,” acknowledged Marshall grimly.
Gabe suddenly became aware of the very curious looks from the group of ladies listening in on their conversation. “Excuse us.”
“What is going on Gabe?” Britney followed him to the dance floor, her hand captive in his.
Gabe sighed, irritated that he was being maneuvered into this. He led them through the maze of couples before halting abruptly to pull her reluctantly into his arms so they could dance to the music from the small orchestra.
“Gabe?” she waited expectantly for a reply.
He didn’t want to give one. Brit was annoying, exasperating and all sorts of synonyms in relation to those two words. They were like oil and water. He didn’t like her. She wasn’t going to be easy to be married to. When she had proposed marriage earlier, she had said children in plural which was not in his plans. He wouldn’t even have a marriage plan if it weren’t for his father’s ultimatum. They likely would end up as a divorced couple at the end of the five years. Somehow the thought of being divorced, at failing at something didn’t sit well with Gabe. However, the thought of being married, especially to Britney was discomfiting as well.
“As much as I enjoy dancing,” Britney interrupted his train of thought, bringing his attention back to her. “I would like to know why you’ve suddenly decided to dance with me. What did Marshall want and why were you so intent on interrupting him?”
“I have decided to take you up on your offer,” announced Gabe suddenly before he could try to back out.
“My offer?” Britney took a moment to try to think of what he might be talking about.
“Marriage,” he clarified. “I accept your offer of marriage.”
Britney’s mouth fell open in shock as she stumbled during the dance. She couldn’t possibly have heard Gabe correctly. Trying to get her thoughts in a coherent order, she managed to squeak out, “You do?”
A flicker of annoyance ran over his face before he gave a brief nod. “I have come to the conclusion it is the sensible thing to do considering the circumstances.”
“Sensible,” echoed Britney. “Wait, what circumstances?”
Somehow Gabe didn’t think Britney would just magically accept it if he said that overnight she had become the love of his life and he didn’t want to live without her. Besides, Gabe preferred to tell the truth. They both needed to go into this union with clarity and logic. He was going to try to think of it as a business deal. “I find myself in need of a wife. You proposed to me earlier and it seems logical since we fit each other’s needs.”
“In need of a wife?” Britney could have kicked herself the moment the words escaped her mouth. She shouldn’t be questioning Gabe if he was saying he finally wanted her. Even if it wasn’t in the most romantic way.
