CHAPTER SEVENTY-SIX
RHETT
One Year Married
On our first second anniversary, Nora gives me a red light.
A small one from an old camera rig, mounted inside a glass box.
The plaque reads:
LIVE: TELL THE TRUTH BEFORE THE CAMERA FINDS IT.
I laugh until I have to sit down.
"This is cruel," I say.
"This is interior design."
I give her a key.
She looks at it suspiciously. "We already own the house."
"The foundation purchased the vacant building beside the rink. The board approved converting it into a permanent photography and media lab. This is not yours as a gift. You are being asked to lead the design if you choose, with a separate paid contract Maren has reviewed."
"You have become alarmingly good at disclaimers."
"Romance evolves."
Her eyes fill as she studies the architectural plan. Darkroom, editing stations, equipment library, free workshops for young photographers.
"Eli would have loved this," she says.
"So do you?"
"Yes."
"Will you lead it?"
She looks at the contract, then at me. "I will review the terms."
"Sensual."
She kisses me.
The red light glows on the shelf behind us.
Live.
This time, nothing true needs to be cut from the feed.