Page 56 of Freeing Camila

Cammie sat beside him, her hands tightly clenched together in her lap, expression unreadable. No tears. No anger. Just quiet. Which somehow made it worse.

“Hey,” he said, voice rougher than he wanted it to be. “You okay?”

She didn’t answer right away, just nodded. Everything felt off-balance. Like the ground had shifted and he was still trying to find his footing.

“I should’ve told you,” he said, turning to face her.

Her gaze met his, guarded. “But you didn’t.”

Hanging his head, he confessed, “No, I didn't,” the simple denial carrying the weight of his guilt and regret. “I was afraid.”

She looked away at that, and the ache in his chest grew sharper.

“I didn’t know how to undo the lie without ruining everything,” he said. “And now I’ve probably done it.”

A long pause stretched between them. Jeeves held his breath.

“How long?”

“A while.” He rubbed the back of his neck.

When she finally looked at him again, there was pain in her eyes—but something softer, too. A question, maybe. Amaybe.

“Was it all just because of who I was? Just because Baker asked a favor? Did you only come into my life because of that?” she said.

“No,” he said instantly. “Not at all. That day when I found you in the tree, I didn’t know who you were. It wasn’t until a few days later when Baker contacted us. The night at the bar was by chance, too. But I admit there was the need to do as Baker asked in the back of my head. But the more time I spent with you . . . That stopped the moment I realized I cared about you. This—us—whatever we’ve started becoming . . . it’s real, Cammie. It’s the most real thing I’ve ever had.” His voice was barely a breath when he choked out the words, “Please don't hate me,” his heart leaping wildly in his chest, a silent fear accompanying his plea.

She said nothing. Just sat there, watching him. And he knew whatever came next, he’d take it. He deserved it. Every ounce of her anger, every wall she rebuilt because of him.

But still, a part of him hoped she’d let him stay.

She was quiet for a long beat. Then, with the barest lift of her brow, “And did you expect me to fall for you before or after you decided to keep the truth to yourself?”

The jab landed, but it didn’t draw blood. It wasn’t bitter. More like a test, and he knew he deserved it.

“I didn’t expect you to fall for me at all,” he said quietly. “I just didn’t want to screw up the one good thing I’d found in a long damn time.” Frustration welled up inside him as he wiped a hand across his sweaty face and around to the back of his neck, his fingers digging into the tense muscles. “I’ve been floundering around for so long. Ever since losing Liam. Then my fuck up with Sutton. I cut myself off from everything and everyone. Then I met you. You’d been through a hell I can only imagine. And yet, this vibrant energy radiated from you, this zest for life. I didn’t understand it at first. But it came so naturally to you. You were this light that vanquished all the dark places inside me. An inspiration. When I finally got you out of the tree, your eyes sparkled with pride and excitement, a triumphant grin spreading across your face. Your excitement over having successfully climbed it was infectious. I think I fell for you at that very moment.”

He searched her face, his eyes lingering on every detail, hoping to find any subtle clue to what she was thinking. Was she wearing a mask, holding it together just to tear him apart later? But there was only calm in her eyes. Not indifference. Not anger.

“You should’ve told me,” she said.

“I know.”

“I would’ve still chosen you,” she said, and those five words hit him harder than a bullet ever could.

Something broke open in his chest.

“I didn’t think I deserved that,” he said hoarsely.

She reached up, fingers brushing lightly against his jaw. “Maybe you do. Maybe we both do.”

Jeeves didn’t trust his voice, so he nodded, catching her hand and holding it to his chest like an anchor. She didn’t pull away.

It wasn’t forgiveness he’d expected—but it was grace.

“I thought you’d hate me,” he admitted.

She tilted her head. “I thought about it.”

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