“Not that one. My rule hasn’t changed.” He grinned. “That doesn’t mean I won’t enjoy your plays for power. Let’s see where this ribbon leads. Marry me.”
“Will I regret it?” I asked, recalling Van’s warning from before.
“Maybe.” When I didn’t respond, he added, “Less than you’d regret marrying Butler.” His eyebrows rose. “Your answer?”
It was the most insane thing I’d ever contemplated doing, and I’d contemplated more than a few less-than-sane things over my twenty-four years.
Seeing Van with my smaller hand in his, for the first time, I felt the flutter that was supposed to accompany this question. With his intense gaze shining down on me, it was only the two of us as it had been in that cabin. There was no large hall filled with people and no big presentation. My answer wouldn’t incite cheers and applause. No one would hear it except the man who proposed.
There wasn’t even a ring, only a white ribbon.
I closed my fingers around the ribbon. “Yes, Van, I’ll marry you.”