Chapter 70. A Place For What He Wanted

Diana woke with Gabriel's hand still loosely around hers.

For a moment, she lay looking at it. The argument had not disappeared overnight. Neither had the fact that he had reached for her.

She turned carefully. His eyes opened.

“I have an idea,” she said.

He was quiet long enough that she added, “One I'm bringing to you before I do anything.”

A faint smile touched his mouth.

“That is an encouraging beginning.”

She moved closer, propping herself on one elbow.

“I want us to start with the total we both agree is reasonable. Then decide what matters. I can pay the amount I showed you. You can decide what you want to contribute. And neither of us gets to pretend the other person's favorite part is automatically the foolish part.”

Gabriel looked at her for a while.

“That sounds like a wedding I might enjoy attending.”

Diana winced.

He touched her wrist. “I wasn't trying to hurt you.”

“I know.