Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

"Ha!" Sherilyn couldn't help it; she burst out laughing.

"Funny?" Gilbert didn't see what was so humorous.

"It's not that..."

Sherilyn tried to hold back her laughter, but the sparkle of amusement in her eyes didn't fade one bit. "Mr. Gilbert, you've just laid your cards on the table, you know?"

"What cards?" Gilbert was clueless.

"Oh, dear..."

With a soft sigh, Sherilyn wondered if she really had to spell it out for him.

Alright then.

She bit the bullet and said, "Going by your logic, you'd bend over backwards for Caroline, cater to her every whim. You're head over heels for..."

"Sherilyn!" Gilbert's face darkened, attempting to cut her off.

Sherilyn, feigning deafness, arched an eyebrow, "Getting defensive? Can't handle the truth?"

She reached up to adjust his tie.

He must have been in a rush leaving the house; his tie was a mess.

"Mr. Gilbert, because you can't marry the one you love, you think marriage is something you can just settle for?"

She said with a smile, carefully loosening his tie before straightening it again.

Gilbert looked down, suddenly grasping her delicate fingers, "Can you be serious for a moment? What's between us has nothing to do with Caroline. Why do you keep bringing her up?"

to

laughter faded, "Fine, I'll be

narrowed, "Because you think I don't

Of course not.

he loved her wasn't her

very

you the one who's unsure? Talking marriage under these circumstances is premature. What do I look like to you? Some stray cat or dog you

"That's not what I meant,

had never

know what

out? Then don't

now neat, Sherilyn let

the dance studio,

3tion. "It's getting I

"...Alright."

The drive was silent.

in front of the dance studio, Sherilyn unbuckled her seat

Gilbert leaned

her backpack, smiled faintly. "Any longer

gently stroked her hair, saying, "I'll give you a clear answer, the one you're looking

saying that, he released her. "Go on

"...Okay."

got out of the car,

did he just say... what am I looking for? Did he even understand what he was saying?" she

out and didn't have the energy to

Jenna was

hospital. It was time

and necessary clinical