“You mean, when I lost my temper and then my career?” I blow out an angry breath. “Is that when I was doing well?”
“After all that. You were putting your life back together. You were starting your book and meeting Hudson, and—” she cuts off, looking down at her hands. “I shouldn’t have gone to see Gabriel. I should have done something else, maybe involved Dad and Lara, or—or, something. I don’t know what.”
I’m mad at her. Furious. But something is there, reminding me she’s not entirely wrong. I lost myself after Gabriel went to prison. My world revolved around when I could see him again. I survived the week, just so I could get to Saturday.
“I don’t know what to say to you, Cam.”
“I don’t like what I did, and I hate that I kept it from you. I’m sure you hate me right now, and I understand.”
“I don’t hate you, but I am so, so mad at you.”
“I know. And I’m sorry. From the bottom of my heart, I am sorry for meddling.”
Dani walks from Gem’s back door. The tension must be visible from a distance, because she halts.
“Does Dani know?” I ask.
Cam turns to look at Dani and nods. “I told her when I got home that day.”
I don’t blame Dani for not telling me. Of course she wouldn’t betray Cam’s trust.
Dani walks forward cautiously. “Everything ok here?”
I purse my lips and nod.
Dani holds out a hand and Cam takes it. “Avery knows I went to see Gabriel in prison.”
Dani sucks in a quick breath. “Wow. Things got serious after I left.”
“You have your aunt to thank for that,” I tell Dani. “Her creative musings clued me in.”
Dani looks confused, and Cam promises to fill her in on the drive home. “What now?” Dani asks, glancing from me to Cam.
Cam looks to me for a response. I shrug. “I guess we just keep going.”
“I meant about Gabriel,” Dani says, pointing back at Gem with her thumb. “He’s in there.”
CHAPTER 26
GABRIEL
Cam and Danisent Laramie home and snuck out the back. On their way out, Cam reached for a knob on the wall and turned down the lights. She made a face and promised that would be her last time meddling in our relationship. Somehow I doubt that.
Avery walks in, her gaze zeroing in on me. I stand up from where I’d been sitting, waiting for her. I make my way over, as does she, and we meet somewhere in the middle. Reaching out, I brush her cheek with my thumb. She leans into my touch.
“Did you come here for coffee?” she asks.
“No.”
She blinks up at me, face still cradled in my palm. “Why are you here?”
“There’s no staying away from you. Not for me.”
Her lips tug into a shaky, emotional smile.
I hold her gaze, and say, “I have done so many things wrong. I have been stupid, and reckless, and selfish. There will not be a day when I don’t regret what happened in our marriage. I’ve fought my demons and pain and grief, and now I’m fighting for another chance with you.” Her lower lip quivers, and my other hand lifts, thumb gliding across the length. “I won’t stopfighting, unless you ask me to. And I pray you don’t.” My throat thickens. “You are the hill I want to die on.”
She whimpers. It’s only a tiny little moan, but it speaks volumes. She’s going to allow this.
