“I’m hoping we can move on without any grudges between us,” she said.

Impossible. He was going to hold a grudge against her. Mostly for invading his life and mind. For draining Montana of its power. For taking his advice and using it to start a relationship with Derek.

“Can we do that?” she asked.

“What?”

“Move on without any grudges?”

“Yes.” It was the only answer he could give.

“Wonderful. Thanks, Luke.”

Silence.

“I was really pleased to hear,” she said stiffly, “that you’re working on your sister’s car. I hadn’t realized you were in contact with your family.”

“I communicate with my parents. It’s only lately that I’ve been in contact with Blair. She’ll turn sixteen soon, so she asked me to get her car running.”

“What’s your other sister’s name?”

“Hailey.”

“Everything I know about your family I learned through the town grapevine. I’d love to know more.”

“There’s not much to tell.”

Her mouth tightened. “Isn’t your mom a fitness instructor at the community center?”

“Yes.”

“I’m going to email her and invite your family to stop by here so that I can give them a tour.”

“I don’t think they’ll want to come.”

“I disagree. I think they’ll jump at the chance to see the place where you work.”

More silence.

“Well,” she said, “I won’t keep you.”

He stood. “I’m really sorry, Finley.”

Her chest rose and fell. “I believe you.”

“Good, because it’s true.”

“You’re forgiven.” She studied him. “I wish you could internalize just how forgiven you are.”

She was talking about God now. “Why would He forgive me?”

“Luke. Your faithlessness doesn’t affect God’s faithfulness at all. Not at all. He is faithful. Always. That’s part of His character. You believed in Him when you were young. Which means, when you ask for forgiveness, He forgives you. Period.”

“I haven’t done anything for Him.”

“None of the love He has for you is conditional. It doesn’t hinge on your actions or my actions. And thank God for that. You’re loved by Him. And you’re forgiven.”

No way could he deal with a spiritual intervention right now.

He left her office. At this moment, to continue breathing, he only needed one person’s forgiveness.

Hers.

That night, Ben and Akira reclined in the back of a truck bed in preparation to watch a drive-in movie.

“I’m glad this isn’t romantic at all,” Akira said.

Ben looked across at her and grinned. When he was with Akira, he often caught himself smiling. When they were apart, he looked forward to the next time he’d see her. Their personalities clicked effortlessly. She was funny and self-deprecating. He never had to guess what she was thinking or feeling because she was always quick to tell him.