The burger sizzled loudly as George tossed it onto the grill and took a long pull of his beer. Productive week, he mused as he moved into the kitchen and cut the ends off the ear of corn and popped it in the microwave. “Hmm, was that six or ten minutes?” He shrugged and set the timer for six minutes.
Not only had he trimmed his golf score by ten strokes, he’d convinced Jenny to get a prenup—at least he assumed she was goin’ through with it since she hadn’t heard otherwise in the past few days. He held out the half-drunk bottle and studied the label. Not a bad week’s work. Not bad at all.
George nudged the mail across the table, away from his dinner plate and set the table. He pulled the Newsweek back to scan the cover.
The front door opened. “Uncle George?”
Speak of the devil.
“Kitchen.” George went to the fridge and pulled out another beer. As Gabe stalked into the kitchen with Jenny trailing behind, George’s smile faded and his arm dropped.
“What the hell is this?” Gabe asked in a low, menacing voice. The thick sheaf of papers Gabe threw down fanned out across the counter, burying the Newsweek George had been reading.
“Just let me turn my burger, and I’ll take a look.” George held out the beer. “Drink?”
“No,” Gabe said. Jenny shook her head.
George set the beer on the counter and hurried outside to buy himself some time. Gabe was mad, and it didn’t take a genius to guess why. The only question was how he should play it. He flipped the burger and turned off the grill. No use in ruining a perfectly good hamburger. He’d have to wing it.
George went back inside and picked up the papers. Unfolding his reading glasses, he put them on, turned the document right side up, and scanned it, though he could guess its contents.
Gabe, glaring, hovered over him, while Jenny waited at his side. Anchoring her long hair behind one ear, she shifted her weight from foot to foot and watched with an open expression on her face. Not smug and triumphant, nor angry, just...uncomfortable. Gabe made her come, and she clearly would’ve loved to have been anywhere but here.
He looked at Gabe over his reading glasses. “What’s the problem, Gabe?”
“I want an explanation.”
He didn’t even consider playing dumb—it would only further anger Gabe. In this instance his nephew was very like him, they had absolutely no patience for fools. “Why’re you upset? Jenny thought the prenup was a great idea.”
“You lied to her,” Gabe snapped. The muscles in his jaw worked a steady, angry beat.
George raised his eyebrows. “How so? You are wealthy, you did inherit a substantial amount of money, and people are talkin’ about you both.”
“But I’m not afraid to talk to Jenny about anything. We have complete transparency in our relationship. However, my finances. Are none of your business,” he exclaimed in clipped sentences. “If I’d wanted a prenup, I would’ve had one drawn up myself.”
George shrugged and spread his arms wide. “I was just trying to help.”
Gabe snorted and planted a hand on his hip.
“Okay, look.” He stood and faced them. “People were talking about what a gold digger Jenny was, and before the rumors got back to you, or her, I wanted to squash them. By having a prenup, she’s in the clear. Quit being selfish and think of her.”
“I don’t give a damn what people say.”
He gave Jenny his best compassionate look. “Maybe Jenny does.”
“She doesn’t. Mind your own business.” Gabe glared at him. “You owe her an apology.”
An apology? Gabe wanted him to apologize to that gold-digging twit? He wanted him to apologize for looking out for his nephew’s best interest as he’d done for the past thirty years? “It’s for your own good—both of you. And besides, if her feelings are true, you’ll never need it.”
“It’s distrustful, and I won’t have it. Apologize.”
Jenny put a calming hand on his arm. “Gabe.”
Gabe’s furious glare sharpened, as if his nephew was trying to incinerate him with his focused stare. Quite effective. George fought the urge to squirm.
“He had no right,” Gabe said.
“It’s not worth ruining a relationship over,” she said softly.
He wanted to concur with Jenny but knew any comment might prod his nephew to violence. He’d sit back and let the girl do his peacemaking for him.
Gabe’s angry stare never left his, like a pit bull with his jaw locked. “Stay away from us. You can tear up that plane ticket and vacation package we gave you; after all, I wouldn’t want someone who’s using me for my money at my wedding.” Gabe turned, grabbed Jenny’s wrist, and pulled her toward the door.
“Aw, now, you don’t mean that.”
Gabe continued his march through the house as if he hadn’t even spoken. Wow, he was steamed. He’d never seen Gabe so angry. George hurried after them.
“Wait, come back. I’m sorry. Look, maybe I took things too far. I really just wanted to help.” He clasped his hands together and looked at Jenny. “Jenny. I’m sorry.”
Jenny tugged Gabe’s arm, stopping him at the front door. Her arms at his waist, she turned Gabe around to face him. “Apology accepted.”
Beaming in relief, he turned to Gabe. “Gabe? Forgive me?”
Gabe’s set jaw eased slightly, but the hardness didn’t leave his eyes. “If you ever do anything like this again—”
“Never.”
“If you interfere again, or hurt Jenny, it’s over. Understand, Uncle George?” Dark gray eyes bore into him. “I mean it.”
“Okay.” He nodded. I understand she’s got you happily wrapped around her little pinky, and is alienating you from your loved ones. He tried to look contrite.
Well and truly, pussy whipped.