Page 50 of Aperture

“When?”

“Millie, I just—”

“When?” I cut him off.

“The night of the break-in when you went to take a bath. I just can’t stand the thought of not being there to protect you.”

I take a calming breath to try to get through this without screaming at him, which is all my body wants to do.

“How do you have my passcode for my phone?” I’m met with silence. “Theo. Answer me.”

“The day I put my number in your phone, I saw you enter your passcode. I wasn’t actively trying to see it, but I did, and I remembered it.”

My temples start to throb. I pinch the bridge of my nose between my thumb and forefinger, trying to delay the impending headache.

“First, I am a grown woman who does not need you to protect me like I’m a child.”

“I didn’t mean—”

“Secondly,” I speak louder this time to interrupt whatever he was going to say. “You do not ever invade my privacy like that again. We are a couple. This relationship will be built on love and trust and mutual respect, or there will not be a relationship.”

He’s quiet for a beat, and even though he may not like it, he knows I’m right.

“Of course. I will never do anything like that again,” he promises.

“I like you, Theo, but do you understand this is a deal breaker for me?”

“I do,” he says sadly. “The app is on the last screen on your phone. When the location services are on, I can see where you are. You can delete it right now if you want.”

“I will do it after we get off the phone. How did you know Wyatt was there? Did you put a lo jacking device on him, too?” It’s an attempt to diffuse my anger and lighten the mood. It doesn’t work.

“No. Of course not. I know he works out at that gym. It was a lucky guess.” I can’t believe I’m hearing this right now. I feel angry and betrayed, and if I stay on the phone any longer, I may say something I will regret.

“Theo, I need a break from this conversation right now. Can I call you back later?”

“Yes,” he says softly. “I’m sorry again. Call me later.”

“Goodbye,” I respond curtly, then hang up the phone and look down at Milo, sleeping on my lap.

“You’re lucky you’re a dog, Dude. Your life is a cakewalk.”

He looks up for a moment, disinterested, yawns, and goes back to sleep.

I swipe my thumb across my phone until I get to my last screen. I see the app and immediately delete it, with a sigh. I’m tired, both physically and emotionally, but I force myself to get up and make some pasta for dinner.

I’m a pretty decent cook, but I’ve always hated preparing meals for one person. Cooking does help me think, though, and I need that right now. I gather my onions and garlic and begin chopping, thinking about this whole strange day, from the feelings I was experiencing while rolling around with Wyatt to the anger I’m feeling toward Theo right now. He really crossed a line. I understand why he did it, but it still wasn’t OK. I blame my Libra birth sign, but I tend to be able to see both sides of an argument. It’s both a blessing and a curse. I think it makes me more open to why other people act the way they do, but Gwen says it can make me a pushover because I’m always looking for the best in people, even when they show me the opposite. As I sauté

my garlic and onions I think about how she might be right. Even with my photography, I prefer to use the light to my advantage, to play off the angles and curves of my subjects, enhancing the clarity and emotion of the final product.

I once received an inquiry to do a dark photo shoot for a couple who love Halloween. They wanted black leather, chains, and fake blood. As an artist, I could completely understand the vision, but I also knew I wasn’t the best photographer for the project, so I referred them to my friend, Gage, who likes a darker vibe.

I just prefer to look through life with more light, I guess. Gwen is right, though. I need to make sure that optimism doesn’t come back to haunt me.

Once I’ve added my stewed tomatoes and spices and married the sauce, I decide I’m not even that hungry. I leave it on the counter to cool off and take a much-needed bath to clear my head.

About two hours later, I call Theo.

“Hello?”