“So we’ve been doing long-distance.”
“He drives up most weekends.”
My vision blurred for half a second.
Weekends.
For months, Mason had been leaving Friday evenings.
His mother’s house.
That was the story.
The roof needed work.
Then the bathroom.
Then the basement.
Then his father needed help.
Then his mother had medical appointments.
I paid almost all our rent during those months.
I covered utilities.
Internet.
Groceries.
Even his car insurance twice.
Because he said every extra dollar was going toward his parents.
I thought I was helping the man I loved take care of family.
Instead, I had been subsidizing a second marriage.
Chloe smiled at me through the mirror.
“Are you married?”
I looked at my left hand.
The diamond sparkled beneath the passing streetlights.
She noticed it.
“Oh.”
“That ring is gorgeous.”
Then she lifted her own hand.
My chest tightened.
Her ring looked familiar.
Very familiar.
Not identical.
Close.
Same shape.
Same simple band.
She laughed.
“Look.”
“Almost twins.”
Mason lowered his head.
I looked at the road.
“When are you getting married?”
Chloe asked.
I stared at the engagement ring.
Then said,
“I’m not.”
Her smile disappeared.
