“No,” she replied. “She would have done everything for you and gotten nothing in return. You’ll never love her. Not when you love yourself more than anyone else in the world.”
“I don’t think your accusations are very fair,” Gabe started but Tara interrupted him.
“Who do you love more than yourself?” Tara challenged him. “Who would you lay down your job for? Who would you sacrifice your wealth for if they really needed it? Who would you rather spend every minute of every day with if you could?”
He searched his mind but came up empty. It was a disturbing idea he might really be so selfish as Max had pointed out. All Gabe knew is he didn’t want to lose Britney. He wanted her in his life.
“Gabe,” Tara took pity on him. “All she wants is your love and you aren’t capable of giving it. Just leave her alone so she can pick up the pieces of her life.”
He didn’t want to leave her alone. Gabe struggled with himself for a moment, knowing they were probably right, he probably wasn’t the best person to be in a relationship. However, he didn’t want to leave things like this. He didn’t want Brit to leave him. Gabe looked at Tara steadily. “Where is she?”
“Go away Gabe,” Tara lifted the receiver on her desk phone. “Otherwise I’ll call security to escort you off the premises.”
“Then call security,” Gabe hoped she was bluffing. “I’m not going anywhere until you tell me where Brit is. I want to talk to her.”
Tara shook her head. “Once again it is all about you and what you want. What about what Brit wants?”
“She wants me,” Gabe said with confidence. “She’s always wanted me.”
Tara pressed the extension button. “Security…”
“Tara, you know this is what she wants,” insisted Gabe. “Brit wants to be married to me. She proposed to me. If you were her friend, you would know it.”
“I am her friend!” exploded Tara as she slammed down the phone receiver into the cradle. “It’s why I’m protecting her from you.”
Gabe drew in a frustrated breath as he stood. “I want her and I will find her.”
“And when you don’t want her anymore? When you decide to throw her away like you always do? What then Gabe?” taunted Tara, rising to her feet to glare at him. “She can’t deal with another rejection from you.”
“She won’t have to,” rashly promised Gabe.
