chapter 41

"Grant-"

"I love you, Rachel. I know I haven't done right by you in the past, but if you give me another chance, I'm going to do better. I want to do better. I want to be your husband and a father figure to Ron. If you let me, I'll take care of both of you, and I won't ever leave again."

My heart began to pound in my ears.

"Grant, I...I can't marry you. I'm still in love with Bernard."

"I know you are, but I also know that if you let yourself, you can fall in love again," Grant told me, lifting his chin. "You just need time, that's all. And I'm willing to wait."

Taylor appeared in front of our trouble, red-faced and breathless. She patted her hair down when we both looked up at her and slid into the booth next to me. "Hey, sorry I'm late. What did I miss?"

Grant sat up straighter and gestured to the box. "I proposed to Rachel."

Taylor clapped her hands together and grinned. "You did? Oh, that's great news."

I shook my head and stood up. "It's not. I've turned him down. I'm sorry, Gran