Page 3 of Camera Shy

I pry the box open. It’s reluctant, like a clamshell unwilling to lose its pearl, but the prize inside…holy hell. “Oh my God,” I mumble as I free the ring from its resting place nestled inside the tiny plush velvet pillow. “Mason, this is too much…this is what? Two carats? It’s stunning. So elegant.”

It’s a simple platinum band with a brilliant round diamond. The cut and clarity seem flawless. I know it’s far more than he can afford. Mason and I share everything—a home, a business—so I know he stretched the limits with a ring like this. I slide the ring over my finger and it halts at my knuckle. Ignoring the pain, willing my finger to instantly slim, I force the ring over the thickest part of my finger.

“Oh, wait!” I palm my forehead. “Honey, I’m so sorry. You didn’t even ask yet.” I try to pull the ring off, but it’s useless. It might as well be superglued on. “Shit. It’s stuck.” I chuckle and shrug helplessly. That’s okay. I’m never taking it off. “It’d probably be a good time to ask me to marry you now.”

He doesn’t match my humor. A tear dribbles down his cheek. Mason’s not cold and callous, but he certainly isn’t one for public displays of affection…or unguarded emotion.

“Mason, what’s—”

“I can’t do this.” His breath is ragged as a single tear turns into a small stream. Wiping the wetness from his cheeks with the back of his thumb, he adds, “I’m—I’m so sorry, Avery. I love you so much, but I… I really was going to ask…but…seeing it…” His eyes lock on the ring choking my finger. “Not like this. I’m so sorry.” He covers his face, hiding his tormented expression. “I’m so, so sorry.”

The hairs on the back of my neck rise like an animal that senses danger. “What’s wrong?” I try to reach for his hand. “If you’re not ready, we don’t have to rush.”

He quickly places his hands in his lap, safe from my clutches.

“I think we’re over.” He closes his eyes and braces like he’s paused at the top of a rollercoaster. “I want to break up.”

The world stops. Everybody in this fancy steakhouse freezes in place. The sound of thunder roars around us. Lightning strikes, splitting the ground, and from the crack, fire emerges. Or maybe it’s only in my head. For now, I just focus on breathing. In and out. One breath at a time.

Mason watches my stunned eyes and tries to fill the silence. “I…I really do love you…I just…we’re…”

I’m having trouble making sense of the moment. His stammering sounds garbled in my head. I’m wearing a ring…but we’re over? What the fuck?… It’s my birthday… I can’t breathe.

“We’re what?” I force the words out in a staccato. “Tell me.”

“Can we go home?” Rotating his head, he takes in a cursory glance around the fancy steakhouse, ensuring no one’s listening. “Please?”

“No.” I shake my head and deliver my message clearly and curtly. “Start talking.”

He shrugs his shoulders and holds up his palms to the ceiling. “Our sex life is…” He shakes his head, his grim expression saying everything he can’t.

I quickly defend myself. “I’ve tried. You’re the one who’s always tired.”

He drags both hands over his red, splotchy face. “Lately, I haven’t wanted to have sex with you.” His words are like an uppercut to my ego, then a follow-up sucker punch to my heart. “Please,” he says again, studying my face as intently as I was scouring his earlier.

“Please what?”

“Can we leave? Can we at least just talk in the car?”

My throat is dry, so I reach for my water, but my hand doesn’t cooperate. My limbs are numb. Everything is heavy, even my eyelids. Blinking becomes a chore. Ignoring his request, I ask, “Did you cheat on me?”

He buries his face in his hands. “No,” he mumbles.

I nod in relief. I don’t know why it makes it better, but at least—

“But I wanted to.”

My eyes snap back to Mason, who hangs his head.

“I’m sorry. If I’m being honest…there’s someone else I’m interested in. Nothing happened.”

“Yet,” I whisper, feeling the burn in my chest like I just took a straight swig of Jameson. “You’re leaving me for someone?”

“This is about us, Avery. I’m trying to be truthful. We have a business together, we live together, and I don’t want to string you along. Yes, there’s someone I’m interested in, but I would never ever cheat on you. She’s not important.”

“Yet,” I whisper again.

My demeanor is eerily calm. Mason looks concerned at my collectedness. I should be crying, blubbering…maybe throwing something at his head. But for some reason, I’m very interested in the logistics at the moment.

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