Grace gave him a serious look. "The poor thing is regretting having turned you down last week."

Stephen almost stopped dead in his tracks, "Really? She was very firm about not wanting anything."

Grace nodded, "She's been having second thoughts since then. Plus her relations.h.i.+p with Ram hasn't worked out very well in the last week. Apparently, after our little visit with him in the mall, he became very self conscious that word was getting around about his 'lack of equipment' problem. He ended up accusing her of spreading it around as gossip."

"Did she? At all, I mean?"

"Good heavens, no. But others have. And Ram wouldn't make much of a distinction anyway. Long story short, their relations.h.i.+p is on the fritz right now and she's been thinking she should have agreed to go out with you."

"Wow. It seems a lot has changed in a week," noted Stephen.

"It gets worse. Now, seeing me in the picture, she feels really dejected. I think we just ruined the poor thing's night," replied Grace.

"Is it wrong of me that I felt a little... satisfied at her reaction?" Stephen asked.

"Not really. That's a very human response. Plus, I can tell you do actually feel bad for her, after you get over the brief moment of satisfaction."

Stephen thought for a moment, "You're right, I do feel slightly bad."

"I think Abby would jump at the chance if you asked her out now. If you want to, that is. She's in the right frame of mind that she's willing to take a chance."

"Really? You really mean she'd go for me?"

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Grace nodded, "She would. Do you want her?"

Stephen didn't answer for another moment. "I can't... just can't believe this. I've wanted Abby for so long. Years even. I always thought she was amazing, and beautiful. And we always had a good connection."

Stephen took a deep breath, and then turned to Grace, "But she turned me down. As much as I respected her, and felt that connection with her, I don't want to be anyone's second choice. That's not even mentioning the huge elephant in the room in that I have you, Grace. You're my dream woman, and I can't imagine being with anyone else."

"Did you just call me an elephant?" Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

"You know what I meant," he laughed, reaching over to playfully swat her behind.

"I like teasing you," grinned Grace. "I love you, baby."

"Well, you certainly do it enough," Stephen snorted.

"That's because I greatly enjoy teasing my hunky boyfriend," Grace winked.

Before Stephen had a chance to respond, they rounded a corner in the grocery store, and saw his friend Miguel, who was busy stocking boxes of brownie mix. Stephen hit a quicker pace on his way to see his friend, while casually shooting glances over at Grace. If he knew anything about Miguel, he would appreciate Grace's beauty, and he felt a bit like showing off.