Photo Finish

Mac and Charlene just finished their family session with Iris. Charlene walks to the car while Mac lingers by the lights, telling Iris her work has bite. She feels the compliment land low in her stomach because he sounds like he means it. Then Mac chuckles and repeats what Charlene whispered earlier, something about Iris charging too much for simple snaps. Iris smiles, but the smile cuts. She scribbles out a coupon with tomorrow’s date already circled. Weeks crawl by, and the anniversary shoot finds Charlene and Mac back in front of the seamless paper. Iris frames each shot so Charlene’s hands rest lower on Mac’s body than she realizes. When the session ends, Iris slips them a Valentine boudoir card. They agree before Charlene has finished buttoning her coat. Valentine morning, Mac shows up alone. Charlene’s text says she’s running late. Iris says they might as well knock out some groom portraits while they wait. Mac steps in front of the backdrop in his undershirt, belt already unbuckled, pretending the flash doesn’t feel like it’s aiming straight at his guilt. Iris moves closer for a "test shot," fingers grazing his collarbone. She slides one strap off her shoulder. Mac laughs once, nervous, and says the frame feels wrong without Charlene there. Iris answers by pressing her lips just under his ear and pulling the camera remote from her pocket. Mac freezes, but she’s already behind him, hands on his belt again, whispering the shutter is still counting.