Page 236 of Dark Angel
“Teddy, you’re first in line.” Halston shoved an empty plate at him. “Hurry before your hungry brothers eat everything up.”
Halston wasn’t talking about a proposal, especially since there wasn’t one.
Teddy took the plate, then stepped away. “Halston’s mom and dad should go first.”
Sydney smiled. “So thoughtful.”
Halston’s dad walked in with Greystone and Gabriel, a laptop tucked under Gabriel’s arm.
Once the breakfast buffet line started moving, Halston’s mom tugged her into the hallway. “Honey, did you get married?”
“Of course not.”
Staying silent, her mom peered into her eyes.
“I know that look,” Halston said. “I used to tell Wolfie it was your death stare, but now I find it comforting. It reminds me of how we’d do a battle of the wills.”
Her mom smiled. “Well, you’re wearing wedding bands, and Gabriel announced he was going to marry you.”
“Well, he has to ask first, and I have to accept.”
“Would you?”
That was a loaded question. One that Halston hadn’t given thought to. Yes, she’d fallen in love with Gabriel, but marriage? That was a big—and permanent—step. Something she didn’t have to answer in the moment, especially this moment.
“There’s a lot going on right now?—”
“Halston, it’s a simple yes or no.”
“Mom, why do you have to push?”
“Sorry. You’re right. It’s just that it was a surprise for Dad and me to hear, that’s all. You haven’t had a boyfriend—at least one you’ve introduced to us—in a long time. Years.”
Gabriel joined them in the hallway. He glanced from Halston to her mom, then back to Halston. “Can I make you both a plate?”
Sonya regarded him. “Gabriel, maybe you can answer?—”
“Mom,no.”
Halston adored her parents, but her mom could be a lot—at times. She was driven and intense. Her dad less so.
“Gabriel, Dustin and I have been through a lot in the past forty-eight hours,” Sonya said. “It surprised us when you mentioned marrying Halston—or is it Barbi?”
“Just don’t call me anything, okay?” Halston needed to get Gabriel away from the interrogation. She tried physically moving him, but he didn’t budge. All man, all muscle. Zero movement.
“Dr. Devereux,” Gabriel began.
“Sonya.”
“Sonya, I love Halston and she knows that. Your daughter is everything I’ve ever wanted in a life partner, but my time is split between here and Italy. That’s not something we’ve talked about.”
“Everything is very new, Mom, so let’s take our foot off the gas.”
Gabriel put his arm around Halston, kissed the top of her head, then peered down at her. “I live pedal to the metal. I’ve never coasted through anything in my life, but I love you, so I won’t push.” He let her go, the separation leaving her feeling alone… and vulnerable.
“I love you too. For now, that’s enough for me.” Then Halston gripped her hip. “Mom, you good with that?”
Her mom smiled. “Yes, that’ll work. Thank you, Gabriel. Halston, I’m sorry I put you on the spot. It’s just that I got excited. Dad and I thought they were going to kill us and leave us in the middle of nowhere?—”
