Cedric was sitting in front of me. A small table, with a romantic centerpiece made of roses and candles, floated between us. This was the first time we were having dinner together in a week. I’d been avoiding him since I found out about my pregnancy.

I looked at Cedric as he sat there, scanning the menu in his hand. Strong, reliable, good man—those were the words anyone would have used to describe him.

He was handsome, too: his dark curls were thick and fell over his forehead. He had a gentle face, wore thin, smart glasses, and had a sharp nose. His blue eyes glittered when he looked up at me. He’d caught me staring.

“Admiring the view?” he asked, with a smile on his face.

My cheeks flushed, not because I was pleasantly embarrassed by what he’d said. But because I was feeling guilty.

“I’ll have the steak,” Cedric said, and it made my stomach turn. I couldn’t eat steak since that evening at Jared’s cabin. He’d cooked steak for us that night. I’d barely even tasted it.

We gave our orders to the server and, after he left, Cedric reached for my hand over the table. I noticed that, when Cedric touched me, I felt nothing.

“I’m looking forward to Tunisia. Are you? I’m excited about the work, of course…but it’ll give us a chance to really get to know each other,” Cedric said. I looked into his eyes and gulped, drawing my hand nervously away from him.

“Cedric, I wanted to tell you sooner; I’m not going to Tunisia with the rest of the team,” I said and looked away.

“What? How come? You’re heading this project. They need you there! You’ve been talking about it for weeks!” I heard him say. I couldn’t face him. I couldn’t look at him while I told him the truth.

He deserved to know the truth.

“Cedric…I…have something to tell you. I’m pregnant,” the words came out as a whisper. I’d been trying to gather the courage to tell him for a week. I was too chicken to do it before, but I couldn’t lead him on anymore.

“Elsie, what?” his voice was barely audible. He was in shock.

“Of course, you know it has to be someone else’s.” I finally looked at him. The back of my neck was burning up. I was embarrassed and ashamed and angry with myself. “It was a guy from my past. Just a casual thing…shortly before we met.”

Cedric gulped and sat back in his chair. He was blinking wildly, then he dragged his glasses off and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“You’re having a baby with some other man?” he asked, and I nodded.

“I’m sorry, Cedric. I found out recently, and so I can’t go to Tunisia. I can’t be with you,” I replied.

He shook his head, and we fell into silence. I didn’t know what else to tell him. I’d given him the truth and I knew I was hurting him, but this was the only thing to do.

“Elsie…” he said and reached for my hand again. I could have broken down in tears right then. I didn’t expect him to be nice to me.

“I’m sure you know that I really like you,” he said, and I smiled weakly.

“Yes, Cedric. I really like you too…which is why I’m sorry about everything.”

“And this man…this guy from your past, does he know? Is he going to be a part of your life now?”

I stared at him. I wasn’t sure where he was going with this.

“No…but…”

“Then I don’t see why we can’t be together,” Cedric declared and squeezed my hand tightly.

“I don’t think you understand. I’m having a baby. Someone else’s child!”

“I understand perfectly. But why should that change anything?”

“Why would you do that, Cedric? We don’t even know each other,” I argued, and he smiled warmly at me.

“Whatever I do know about you, I like. I’m not saying that we should get married or commit to something long term. I’m just saying that I don’t see a reason why we can’t continue what we have. I’ll be happy to help in whatever way I can,” Cedric said. He was smiling; he was in a good mood. What was wrong with this man?

I drew my hand away from him again.

“I can’t expect you to do that for me!” I snapped.

“Elsie…I think we have a connection. I feel connected with you. I don’t care whose child you’re carrying, as long as you’re with me,” he continued.

“I don’t think you’re thinking clearly. You’re leaving for Tunisia in a week!” I exclaimed.

“I don’t have to go. I was going only because of you anyway. I can get the work done from Chicago if I want.” Cedric searched my eyes.

I sat back in the chair feeling exhausted. Why did he have to be so nice? Why did he have to be so good to me?

“I…don’t know…” I began to say, but Cedric cut me off.

“Just think about it, Elsie. You and me and that baby. We can begin a new life together, start afresh. Seriously, I don’t have a problem with it,” he insisted.

When I looked into his eyes, I could see that he genuinely meant it. He was in love with me. Just the way I was in love with Jared.

The best decision would be to take up his offer. I could actually have a family…or at least try it out. But I could never love him the way he loved me, and that would be an unfair thing to do.

“I’m sorry, Cedric, I have to go,” I declared and stood up from the chair.

“Elsie! Wait! Don’t go!” I heard him call after me as I started to walk away.