He smirked at her. “This face?”

“I know when you’re in deep thought mode.” She paused and narrowed her eyes at him. “Are you going to tell her about us?” she whispered.

He blew out a breath. “What difference would it make now?”

“Maybe all the difference in the world.”

“I don’t know. This doesn’t only affect me.”

“Don’t worry about me for a minute. I did all of this for you, remember.” She squeezed his arm. “You should tell her. Tonight.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely.”

He took her hand and kissed her knuckles. “You’re so good to me.”

Her smile lit up her face. “What are friends for?” She turned away to chat with Keely’s sister then.

Micah’s mind raced. He’d had no intention of telling Shannon the true nature of his relationship with Autumn. Up until now, the reasons they were together had been kept between the two of them. They hadn’t let another soul in on it. But Autumn had basically given him permission to tell, and he wanted Shannon to know the truth. He wondered if it would make a difference to her. He doubted it, but how would he know unless he tried?

He watched Shannon move about the room with camera in hand. He’d tell her. Tonight. And if she didn’t care, then life would remain the way it had been and nothing would be lost. But if he kept it to himself, nothing could possibly be gained.

When the appetizers arrived, Shannon and Jamie took their seats at the table, and Micah was happy to see Shannon set her equipment down. She looked tired.

Dinner was delicious—prime rib, melt-in-your-mouth garlic mashed potatoes, tasty creamed spinach, and a decadent chocolate cake for dessert. Micah couldn’t help noticing that Shannon ate chicken instead of steak, some of the spinach, but none of her potatoes or cake. He remembered all of the greens in her refrigerator and wondered why on earth, with the slender figure she’d always had, did she need to watch what she ate.

There was so much about her he didn’t know, didn’t understand. Like why she was on birth control. That one still ate away at him. But was any of it really his business? No, it wasn’t. Still, he couldn’t help but want to know everything, every detail about her life, about who she was now, who she’d been for the past ten years.

He pierced into the cake and lifted a piece on his fork in Shannon’s direction. “Want a bite?”

She seemed taken aback and glanced nervously across the table at Autumn.

Right. Autumn. My girlfriend.

“I’m fine, thanks.”

He gave a weak grin in response.

“So, what’s your favorite thing about being a wedding photographer?” Autumn asked Shannon.

Shannon got a dreamy look in her eyes. “The people. Hands down. I love watching them, getting to know them through my lens, catching the connections and interactions without them even knowing I’m doing it. Absolute favorite thing.”

“That sounds wonderful, and you’re so good at it.”

“Oh, have you seen my pictures?” Shannon asked.

Autumn nodded enthusiastically. “Micah showed me your website. People are probably lining up for you to photograph their weddings. Your work is stunning.”

Micah watched Shannon and saw a hint of a blush color her cheeks. She was stunning.

“Thank you, Autumn. That’s sweet. I’ve worked really hard to get where I am today.”

“And I hear you’re opening a studio of your own. That’s amazing.”

“I …” Shannon pressed her lips together.

Micah’s heart ached at the tears pooling in Shannon’s eyes. “What’s wrong?” He touched her knee under the table.