Grant’s smile broadened. “I was so relieved you called, you just don’t know. I didn’t think you were ever going to forgive me.” Grant pulled her into a hug and Tina stiffened, then gently placed a hand on his back. She held on against her better judgement and sighed, sinking into his embrace. “I forgive you,” she murmured, momentarily setting aside what she had called him here to say.

Grant pulled back and looked her in the eye. “Thank you, Tina.”

Tina gently extracted herself from his arms and took a step backwards. Grants face registered confusion for a second and then smoothed into the handsome, confident lines that had been missing from his countenance every time Tina had seen him after finding out about Shelly.

“I understand,” he said. “You need more time. No pressure.”

Tina blinked, trying to set his face into her memory. “No, Grant,” she said gently. “I don’t need anymore time. I… I called to tell you that it’s over.”

“But you said you had forgiven me. I don’t understand…”

“I do forgive you, Grant. But I can’t be with you. I know now that I can’t.”

“We can work this out,” Grant said, his face starting to crumple. He looked so much like a sad little boy, Tina reached out and stroked his cheek softly with the back of her hand.

“No,” Tina said. “I ran into your mother today. She was buying things for…” Tina swallowed around the lump trying to form in her throat. “For your baby. And I just knew Grant. I can’t get over it, or forget it. I love you. I’ll always care for you. But I can’t marry you. Not now.”

“Tina, please,” Grant said. His eyes were bright with tears and his jaw was working as he struggled not to cry. Tina’s heart went out to him and she hugged him, if for no other reason than to give him a second to collect himself without her seeing it.

There was a sudden noise of tires screeching in the distance that broke the moment and Tina pulled back.