“I told her no,” I continue.

Her eyes snap up to mine as she lowers the glass.

“You know you shouldn’t have.”

“Yes, I should have.”

Cara sighs and settles further into the pillows behind her.

“Grant, I would have understood.”

“I wouldn’t have,” I counter.

“You wouldn’t have?”

“No. It’s different now. Don’t you agree?”

Cara’s breath hitches at the declaration.

“I suppose I do.”

She leans forward and sets her wine down. I take a sip of mine and set it down on the coffee table as well.

She comes closer to where I am and fidgets with her hands in her lap.

“We need to talk,” I say.

“Yes. Yes, we do. Grant…”

“Let me go first.”

“Okay,” she says, relieved.

“Since the day I met you, I have always known that something was different about you. From the way you handled yourself to the fierce look of determination you would get when I challenged you, I always knew that you were different.”

Cara laughs lightly.

“I hope this is a good thing.”

“Love, it’s the best thing.”

She swallows and focuses on me.

“You call me that now.”

“I do.”

“I thought it was something just in the field. Something pretend.”

“It’s not. Do you really think I’ve been pretending this whole time?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Can you say the same?”

“Are you asking if I’ve been pretending?”

“Yes, I am.”