When the Lights Went Out

Edward invited me to a murder-mystery game night for our third anniversary. I thought it meant something.

The final scene was a proposal. He knelt, holding out a velvet box with a prop diamond inside.

My hands shook. I whispered yes.

Then Elowen shoved her mask up, lifted her phone, and aimed the camera straight at my face.

"She's actually crying. It's a game. God, she wants a ring that badly?"

Someone clapped Edward's shoulder. "You win. Tonight's on me."

I looked down at the cheap metal in my palm. Edward unclipped his character badge, still smiling.

"They bet you couldn't tell fiction from real life," he said. "I defended you."

I opened my fingers and laughed at myself, quietly.

The ring hit the table with a hollow click.

"They were right. I can't. I'm out of this game."

...

The door swung shut behind me and the night came in cold off the water.

"Sorren. Are you really going to be like this?"

I stopped on the sidewalk.

Edward caught up in four strides, frowning. Then his hands came up automatically and straightened my coat collar where the wind had flipped it.

Gentle. Familiar. The exact same hands that had held that ring steady for the length of a bet.

"We're just out to have a good time," he said, reasonable as ever. "You storming out like this... it makes things incredibly awkward for my friends."

I watched his fingers leave my collar.

"It's our anniversary, Edward. Three years. Today."

Something flickered across his face. He sighed and reached for my hand.

"I know. That's exactly why we're out celebrating. Elowen thought an immersive game night would be a fun, high-energy way to mark the occasion with everyone."

I moved my hand out of reach.

"Elowen thought?"

His stayed suspended in the air between us.

"Here we go again. She just moved back from Europe. We were throwing a welcome home party and celebrating our anniversary at the same time. Is that a crime? She's younger, and she doesn't filter what she says. You're supposed to be the mature one. Why are you picking a fight over a joke?"

The sharp click of heels on the pavement interrupted us.

Elowen came hurrying out with Edward's suit jacket draped over her shoulders, sleeves hanging past her hands.

She stopped just behind him and caught the hem of his shirt between two fingers.

"Edward—is she mad at me?" Her eyes were already shining. "It was a joke. I didn't know she'd take it so hard."

Edward's demeanor instantly softened. He patted her hand where it rested near his waist.

"It's not you, El. Sorren's just been under a lot of stress at the firm lately. Her emotions are all over the place."

He turned back to me, the warmth vanishing, replaced by a patronizing calm.

"Look, if you're done throwing a tantrum, let's head back inside. That ring was just plastic props. If you're that hung up on it, I'll take you to the jeweler tomorrow and buy you a real one. Just stop making a scene."

I didn't answer. I stood there in the wind and looked at him—at the way he'd angled his body, without thinking, to put himself between me and Elowen.

Three years ago, when we first started dating, we were at a bar with his buddies. One of them had made a sleazy comment about the length of my skirt.

Edward's expression went cold in an instant. He slammed his drink down, grabbed my hand, and dragged me out, his face like thunder.

Under a streetlamp very much like this one, he had pulled me into a fierce embrace.

"No one gets to disrespect you," he said. "Not even me."

Tonight, he'd placed my dignity on a betting table just to entertain Elowen.

"Don't bother," I said, sliding my hands into my pockets.

Edward frowned. "Don't bother with what?"

"The ring. You don't need to buy it." I met his eyes.

"I'm not throwing a tantrum, Edward. I just don't see the point anymore."

I stepped off the curb and hailed a passing cab.

I climbed into the back seat without waiting for his response.

As the taxi pulled away, I glanced in the rearview mirror. Edward was standing right where I left him.

He didn't chase the car. Instead, he was lighting a cigarette, already leaning in close to listen as Elowen whispered something to him.

My phone buzzed in my lap. A text from Edward illuminated the dark interior of the cab.

[Go home and get some sleep.]

Then, another text :

[Tomorrow Elowen needs to furnish her new place. Can you take her to the big home store off the interstate? She's been gone so long she doesn't know where to start.]

My thumb hovered over the glowing screen. Then, slowly, I locked the phone.