A Stray Earring

James Fullman has loved Melina Carlington for ten years, from their long-distance college days to a marriage everyone envied. He proposed on her graduation day, and for five years he kept his promise to protect her. Then, on an ordinary afternoon, Melina finds a used condom and a stray earring wedged beside the passenger seat of his car.

At the café, her childhood best friend Sally Bayer greets her warmly, wearing a single earring that matches the one in Melina's bag. James had left home that morning claiming an urgent matter at work. Rather than confront them, Melina swallows her terror and says nothing, even as Sally insists her husband is one of the best men out there.

That night, Melina chooses a betrayal of her own, falling into bed with James's best friend. When James roars at her, she only smiles and leans into the man beside her, reminding him he is not the only one who can get hot and heavy in the front passenger seat.