Page 3 of Worth the Fall

I blink, trying to process this new version of the man I spent twelve years with. The Cameron I knew wouldn't be caught dead with a life coach, let alone discussing spiritual journeys. That Cameron wore Brooks Brothers suits and mocked my monthly horoscope subscription, calling anything that didn’t come from a finance bro "woo-woo bullshit."

"Right," I manage. "Well, about the contract?—"

"First, we should cleanse the energy in here." He reaches into his messenger bag. "The negative vibrations are really intense."

Before I can protest, my ex-boyfriend—former captain of his college football team and self-proclaimed king of corporate finance—begins waving sage around my office like some kind of Wall Street shaman.

"Cameron," I try again, coughing through a pungent wave of smoke. "I really think we should focus on the concerning clauses?—"

"See?" He sighs deeply, still waving his sage bundle. "This is exactly what Jasmine warned me about. You're still so focused on the material plane."

I stare at Cameron's contract, my fingers tracing the familiar loops of his signature as I try to remain calm when a memory hits me in the chest. Cameron at the Morton & Sterling holiday party three years ago, his Brooks Brothers suit perfectly pressed,drink in hand as he laughed at my crystal. It wasn’t like I was trying to sell him on the idea, it was just a little something to try and keep me grounded when I felt myself drowning.

"Really, Mia? Rose quartz for 'positive energy'?"He'd mocked, making air quotes."What's next, reading tarot cards for merger deals?"

I'd tucked the crystal back into my purse, cheeks burning."It helps me focus,"I'd mumbled, while he'd already turned away to discuss quarterly projections with a coworker.

Now, watching him wave sage around my office like this is just an every day occurance, I feel like I've stepped into an alternate reality. His designer suit replaced by flowing linen, his once meticulously styled hair now in a messy man bun. The scent of sage is overwhelming, making my eyes water.

"I know this seems... different," Cameron says, catching my bewildered expression. "But Jasmine helped me see what was missing in my life. In our life."

"Jasmine." I keep my voice flat. "Your life coach. The same type of person you used to call?—"

"'Snake oil salesmen,' yes." He smiles serenely. "People change, Mia. The universe guides us where we need to go."

"And the universe guided you to burning sage in my office?" I can't keep the bitter edge from my voice.

"Maybe it's guiding you too." He pauses, studying me with an expression that makes my skin crawl. "You seem... stuck. The same Mia, always trying to control everything. Maybe you should try changing too."

The words hit like a slap. Twelve years of planning a future with this man, and now he acts like I'm the one who needs fixing? I take a deep breath, willing myself not to show how much his words sting.

My mouth falls open and I’m seconds away from calling him out on this new character he’s unlocked when a knock at mydoor saves me from having to respond. Linda pokes her head in, then immediately starts coughing from the sage smoke with a grimace.

"Miss Mason," she manages between coughs, "your ten o'clock is here."

"Thank you, Linda." I stand quickly. "I’m sorry, Cameron, but we'll need to continue this another time. And if you could, please schedule it beforehand instead of just dropping in. Linda can assist you with that," I say, attempting to remain calm and not sound too petulant.

He nods sagely… pun absolutely intended, tucking the no longer smoking bundle back into his bag. "I understand. Mercury is in retrograde anyway, so it's probably not the best time for contract negotiations."

I resist the urge to point out that six months ago, the only retrograde he cared about was his stock portfolio's performance.

"I'll email you my concerns about the contract," I say firmly, already plotting my escape.

"We should get dinner sometime," he suggests, lingering in my doorway. "Jasmine thinks it would be good for both our chakras."

"I'll check my schedule," I lie, already knowing I'll do no such thing.

His shoulders drop with an exaggerated smile and he reaches both of his hands out, taking mine in his. "I can’t tell you how good it is to see you again, Mia." He smiles and for a brief second, I see a flash of the old Cameron—the man who stole my heart back when we were just young teenagers. "It will be so good for both of us to let go of the negative so that we can prepare our astral plane for the future."

And the moment is gone.

"Right, okay." I pull back my hands, still trying to make sense of this new version of Cameron. "Linda will get you scheduled,"I say a little louder, looking desperately past him where Linda catches my gaze and jumps out of her chair.

"Yes, let’s look at her calendar together, Mr. Reynolds," she says, gesturing for him to follow her over to her desk.

"Namaste." He bows toward me before turning to face Linda. "If you don’t mind, let’s make sure it’s in line with Mercury’s orbital path."

I shut my office door, leaning against it for a brief second as I try to gather myself before my next meeting. Then I clean up the mess on the floor and grab a bottle of perfume from my purse to try and hide the heavy sage smell that still lingers.

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