Chapter 4

Crystal snatched the phone back, seething.

"Nathan! Can you stop making a scene over nothing? You're wearing everyone out."

"You said it yourself, it's been fifteen years. Any ordinary couple would've split ages ago. I've stayed with you this whole time. Doesn't that prove I love you?"

"I'm not keeping some rich man on the side. I just found a younger guy to keep me happy. Is that really not allowed?"

"Even if I loved someone else for a little while, that's only human. Who in this industry isn't juggling more than one person? At least I didn't dump you the second I made it big. Don't be greedy."

Somewhere in the middle of it, one of us pressed the call button by accident.

Crystal's phone dialed out to Finn, and a familiar melody started playing.

Except it wasn't the same as the one set for me.

Mine was a girl's soft, unpolished voice singing to a guitar.

The one coming from her phone now, the ringtone she'd set just for Finn, was a duet.

Two voices, one high and one low, passing tenderness back and forth line by line.

The air went still for a beat. Crystal looked at me, and across a face that had been all anger and impatience a moment ago, something guilty flickered.

The next second, Finn picked up.

"Babe, you said you were just going out to grab a bottle of wine. What's taking so long? I'm about to fall asleep here."

Crystal lunged forward, snatched the phone away, and cupped the receiver, dropping her voice.

She seemed afraid I'd suddenly lose it and shout something that would make Finn jealous and sulk.

"...Not many places are open this late. If you're tired, don't wait up. I'll come back as soon as I've bought it."

Finn laughed low on the other end.

"I'm not tired anymore. I want the steamed crab dumplings from that place on East Street. Go get them for me, okay? If I don't eat, I won't have the energy for later."

Crystal answered gently, "Okay, wait for me."

By the time they finally finished talking and hung up.

My heart had gone completely cold.

The room turned heavy.

Crystal frowned, like she wanted to say something.

I cut her off. "That dumpling place on East Street only stays open till three. You've got half an hour. If you don't go now, you won't make it."

Crystal lowered her head, silent for a long moment, then said, "Nathan, give me a little more time. I just don't know how to bring up a breakup with him."

"I promise you, I'm yours. No matter what, the only two people who ever sign a marriage license will be us."

She hurried out to buy the dumplings and the wine.

I sat on the couch.

After sitting there half an hour.

I went back to the bedroom, pulled out the two suitcases I'd already packed, went downstairs, got in the car, and drove to the airport.