“So your primary childcare is about to disappear.”
“Yes.”
“So this is about showing stability.”
“Yes.”
“You talked to a lawyer.”
“I did. He said if she files, she’ll argue instability. That perception matters.”
“Optics,” I say.
“Yeah.” His laugh is short. “Like I’m a headline instead of a dad.”
He meets my eyes. “I’m a dad. That’s all that matters.”
I believe him.
That’s the terrifying part.
Because believing Gabriel makes it harder to keep the boundaries that have always been there.
My brother’s teammate and friend.
Off-limits.
A man who can make me forget I’m the kind of woman who doesn’t do reckless things.
He watches me like he can see the war in my head.
“What did the lawyer actually suggest?” I ask.
His jaw tightens.
Then he says it again.
“I need you to marry me.”
Silence slams into the room.
My brain tries to reboot.
“Gabriel.”
“Don’t say my name like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like I’ve lost my mind.”
“You have.”
“Maybe.” He steps closer. “But I’m not wrong.”
“You’re desperate.”
“Yes.”
