The Boss's Marriage Plan (Proposals & Promises 2)

“It’s one of the few times in my entire life I’ve seen my sister struck speechless.”

“How did that feel?”

“It didn’t suck,” she pronounced after another moment.

Scott chuckled. “She does like to get in her digs against you, doesn’t she? I don’t know how you keep from losing your temper with her.”

She shrugged. “I have a few times. I learned long ago that it doesn’t really accomplish anything. She gets all chilly and defensive and makes a grudging apology she doesn’t really mean, and then everything goes back to the way it’s always been. I’ve conceded that if I’m going to have any sort of relationship with my sister in the future, I just have to bite my tongue and accept the way she is.”

He looked annoyed on her behalf. “But you don’t have to let her push you around.”

“I rarely do. I just let her speak her mind and then I pretty much do what I want.”

Running a hand up and down her arm, he laughed softly. “Much as you do with me?”

She shrugged.

?

??I have always admired your quiet determination,” he told her, and though his tone was still light, she could tell he was serious.

As always, his compliment touched her, weakened her resolve against him, dampened her annoyance. Releasing a low sigh, she shook her head slowly. “I guess you know word of this will be all over town by tomorrow. We had mutual acquaintances there, and Dana’s love of gossip is second only to her passion for shopping.”

“Then, we should probably tell my family. I heard you tell Nina you’d be at her house early afternoon tomorrow—why don’t I join you for that and then you can come with me to my folks’ house. We’ll get it all out of the way in one day.”

Out of the way. She frowned at him. “You’re assuming quite a lot, aren’t you?”

He grimaced. “I’m not trying to railroad you. I’m being clumsy again, I’m afraid. This really isn’t my forte, is it?”

He drew a deep breath and asked, “What do you say, Tess? Will you marry me?”

She bit her lip.

“I’m lousy at the romance stuff, you know that,” he said. “I’ll probably forget birthdays and anniversaries and special occasions—hell, I’ve always depended on you to remind me of that stuff anyway. I’ll cancel our plans when work issues come up. I’ll get caught up in mulling over a dilemma and I won’t hear your questions or comments. I’ll be short-tempered and impatient sometimes when I let stress get the better of me.”

“I’m used to all of that,” she reminded him.

He smiled ruefully. “Yeah, I guess you are. I guess what I’m trying to say is you know me better than anyone. I can’t be any different at home than I am at the office because that’s just who I am. Other women didn’t like that. They wanted more from me than I was able to give.”

Lifting his chin, he added proudly, “And by the way, I think I have a hell of a lot to give. I can promise absolute loyalty and faithfulness. I’ll be a good provider, a devoted father, a steadfast supporter of your dreams and ambitions. You can depend on me to be there for you whenever you need me. You and I have always gotten along amazingly well without either of us trying to be something we’re not. We’ve proved that we have a strong, more than satisfying physical connection. I think we can carry our solid partnership into a marriage that will last a lifetime. I know what I want. But it’s in your hands now. I can give you more time, even though I know I rushed things this evening. As much time as you need.”

No, it wasn’t a particularly romantic speech, but she couldn’t deny that he’d laid out a very convincing argument. He was offering everything she’d looked for when she’d signed up with those online dating services hoping to make a connection. Well, almost everything. Maybe there was a bit more of the romantic in her than she’d realized. Most of the single women she knew would probably tell her she was crazy not to snap this guy up before he had even a chance to change his mind. And here she was dithering because there was some indefinable something missing from his earnest proposal.

Studying his face, she asked quietly, “What would you do if I were to tell you that I don’t want to marry you? That I’ve decided we’re not a good match after all?”

A muscle jumped in his jaw, but he spoke in an even tone. “I’d be disappointed. Very disappointed. But I would accept your decision and I’d continue to focus on my work. Maybe I was meant to be a workaholic bachelor. Whatever happens between us, I would still treasure our friendship and your contribution to my company.”

“You honestly believe we could still work together if this experiment, as you called it, didn’t succeed?”

“I’d like to think so. It could be a little awkward at first, but I think we could manage it. Which doesn’t mean I wouldn’t have moments of regret that it didn’t work out,” he added candidly.

Moments of regret. Hardly a description of a broken heart, but then they’d made a concerted effort from the beginning of this plan to avoid that drastic outcome, right? He’d steadfastly asserted that avoiding unrealistic expectations would protect them both from bitter disappointment. It sounded so logical and honest that she couldn’t think of a sound argument.

“Is that what you’re trying to tell me, Tess? That you don’t think we’re a good match?”

“I think we’re a very good match,” she replied, drawing a deep, bracing breath and lifting a hand to his cheek. “We’d never have made it through the past six years working together if we weren’t. I’m willing to gamble with you that we’re equally well suited outside the office.”

The tension in his face eased. His smile broadened, as his face moved against her palm. “That’s a yes?”