[Now Gai takes this as his cue to slip his other arm around her to pull her closer, fingers tracing soothing patterns over her back. She's stressed, that much is obvious, though he thinks it's due to all of the planning that needs to be done.]
I'm not going to argue making it shorter. The only thing I'd object to would be making it longer.
[Action]
I'm not going to argue making it shorter. The only thing I'd object to would be making it longer.