Tana slipped away from the party unnoticed to walk along the beach. A night like this was perfect to get her mind off of him. The salty ocean air blew through her hair and caressed her cheek. A tear slowly fell down her cheek, but was stopped by a swipe from her hand.

Get a grip Tana. You can't let this situation get the best of you. It's so easy to fall in love. They never say how hard it is to fall out of it.

The sound of a door closing snapped Tana out of her thoughts.

"Tana! I thought I would find you out here. What are you doing all by yourself?"

Tana quickly wiped her eyes and hoped the darkness would mask her distressed face. She wanted to sound as normal as possible. It would be hard to, but she didn't want him to see her like this.

"Hey Ephraim. I just wanted some air. You know how I hate parties."

As the words flowed out of her mouth she knew he wouldn't believe them. If she couldn't convince herself, how could she convince the man who had broken her heart?

Ephraim looked confused. "Uh I'm pretty sure you love parties and you are the most outgoing girl, excuse me, person I know."

Tana gave him a playful punch in the shoulder. She hoped it would convince him that she was all right by being her usual self. It only made her wish she hadn't touched him. Every touch was a reminder of what she couldn't have. Ephraim belonged to someone else.

"You know what I meant."

Ephraim shook his head. "Not really. In fact, you haven't been yourself since L'Arachel gave everyone the news. I would have thought my close friend would be happy for us."

Tana turned away. The tears would flow if she looked at his face any longer. "Please don't call me that! I can't bear it!"

Ephraim reached for her. "Please Tana, I need to understand what's bothering you."

"Would you consider me a close friend if I told you I loved you and that I hate her for taking you and breaking my heart? Better yet I hate the fact that now that you are expecting a child it further cements your love for each other? I am a despicable person for hating her, but all I have is love for you. It kills me that I'm not her."

Ephraim could do nothing but stare at her.

Tana broke down again. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean that! Please forgive me!"

Ephraim started toward the house.

Tana ran after him. "Please come back! I need you as a friend!" She grabbed his arm.

Ephraim threw her arm off. "How dare you do this to me now!"

Tana was taken aback by Ephraim's reaction. "I wish I could get rid of these feelings! I would give anything to forget you! You have to understand!"

Ephraim was now fighting back tears. "I do understand! I wish you would have told me how you really felt before now! I wouldn't have paraded all of this in front of you. I am truly sorry that I don't love you, but it would have spared you a lot of pain had I known the truth. I care deeply for you and you should know that."

"This is exactly why I didn't tell you! You are going to shut me out of your life now. Please spare me, because I will be strong. I can't bear to lose you and so I will be strong."

"I don't know how I can have you in my life if every time I look into your eyes I will see all the pain I'm causing you."

The sound of a door opening interrupted them.

L'Arachel was standing in the doorway. "Is everything all right out here? We all heard shouting."

Ephraim looked at Tana.

Tana said goodbye with her eyes.

"Yeah everything is good. I was just talking with Tana."

L'Arachel smiled. "Well get back in here! All eyes need to be on us."

Ephraim looked back at Tana and held out his hand. "Not without you."

Tana put her hand into Ephraim's and felt a peace come over her. Maybe she could get over him, but something in his touch told her otherwise.