Page 54 of Persuading Penny
“I like to think that I bring something special to your life, too, Penny,” he went on. “I’ve noticed how you smile the moment you see me. Your eyes light up. I’ve noticed the lack of tension in your shoulders. You relax. You let go of the worries of the world, whatever they may be. Don’t deny it. Don’t tell me that you don’t feel something.”
“Of course, I enjoy being with you, Steve. And yes, I am very happy when I see you. I am relaxed and I feel very comfortable with you. More and more comfortable.”
“But...”he prompted, noting a certain lack of enthusiasm.
“But, for all that, we still don’t really know that much about one another. I mean, you mentioned children. We’ve never really discussed that.”
“You do want children, don’t you?”he said, suddenly concerned.
“Well, yes.”
“How many?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. Two. Maybe three.”
“Same here. I love kids.”
Looking down at the table, I shook my head. “This is too sudden. I really didn’t see this coming.”
He closed the black box, and a brief crease of anger flashed across his brow and was gone. “Look. I have to admit I’m a little disappointed, but I understand. If you want a bit more time to think about it, I get that.”
There was an unspoken ‘but’ in his statement.
“Okay,” I said softly. “Give me a moment to let it all sink in. Give me time to get accustomed to the idea.”
He took my hand in his and gently patted it. “Take all the time you need. I’ll be here. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll wait as long as it takes.”
SIXTEEN
My heart flutteredat the thought of Steve and his proposal. Or did it? Was that fluttering or angst or uncertainty or...something else entirely?
He was such a good-looking young man. He stood straight and strong. He spoke with eloquence. He was knowledgeable and educated. He came from a good family. And though his financial situation wasn’t a priority, it was something to be considered. His wealth would allow me to live in a beautiful manor with plenty of breathing room, and surely my marriage to him would alleviate my parents’ financial problems as well.
Then why didn’t I jump at the chance to marry him. Why didn’t I invite him to slip that ring on my finger? Surely if I were to tell anyone that Steve Seagram proposed to me, they’d think I was crazy for hesitating at all.
When I’d arrived home that night, I hadn’t mention anything about the proposal; not to my mother, and certainly not to my father. He’d drag me down the aisle if he could.
