“Derrick, I wasn’t going to say anything about this, but I feel as if you might not realize it. I think if you did realize it, it could change everything for us,” she began as her own heart began to pick up speed and she felt hope swelling in her.

“What is it?” he asked, looking down at her and bringing his fingertips to her cheek to touch her gently there.

“Well, I was thinking, you know you don’t have to marry her. I love you. You love me. We both want to be together. I know we haven’t talked about it, and we haven’t been together long. I know...