Page 111 of Tipping Point

The question never comes. Instead, she wraps it up, tiredly.

She’s done what I asked her to do. She gave me the opportunity. And I blew it, somehow. Maybe it’s too little too late.

I should be grateful I had this opportunity at all. And yet, I had hoped, somehow, to bring her back to me.

She is letting me down easily.

It aches in my chest, and yet, I can’t blame her for it. I feel gratitude for the respect with which she’s done it.

Dixon brings us paper cups of coffee he begged off the hospital staff and we stand around for a few more moments, watching the crew pack up their gear.

We’re both tired. Hope’s heavy eyes blink slowly as Bruce removes her microphone. Casey gives her a big hug, and spares me a kind nod. We’ve been through the wringer.

Cam and Dixon stand off to one side talking quietly.

I watch her guard come up when I walk over. My lips feel numb. So much truth spilled today. My chest aches, an empty cage.

“Cam?”

Dixon excuses himself and joins Jay where he’s packing up equipment. From the way he angles his body, I know he’s keeping Cam in sight, keeping an eye on her.

“Thanks for agreeing to do this.”

She nods. Turns away.

* * *

CAMILLE

“Cheers.” I thank Dixon when he sets down a colourful cocktail in front of me. There is fruit on the rim and a little umbrella spears a strawberry. I laugh.

Dixon smiles when he hears it and takes the seat opposite me.

We are at the hotel bar. The crew all gave me fond farewells and then went their own way. They had an early flight the next day. Jay had hung back, looked me over, gave me another hug. His easy familiarity soothed my soul.

I missed them all.

“Shouldn’t you be heading off yourself?” I take a sip of the cocktail. It’s sweet and tangy and utterly ridiculous. I love it.

“Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something.”

I raise my eyebrows at him.

“I know your funding for the Silk Road project was approved, but since I am obligated to inform you of all offers, I have to bring this up with you.”

Nonplussed, I cock my head.

“They’re doubling the budget for next season. Rupert has given me carte blanche on the team members.”

“Who is Rupert?”

“My boss at WebFlix Max?”

“Oh!” I laugh. “Mr Higher Up?”

Dixon scoffs.

“We want you to head up the team again next season. Maybe expand on the members, add another crew.”

---