Chapter 20
Houston
Their time in Houston passed in a blur of studio lights, sharp questions, and measured answers.
The interview with Zachary Brooks set the tone—probing but respectful—forcing each of them to articulate not just the film’s themes, but their own convictions about faith, strength, and truth.
Camille handled herself with a composure that impressed even Aaron, her responses thoughtful and grounded in a way that hinted at deeper change.
The chemistry between them didn’t go unnoticed either, drawing subtle commentary that neither fully leaned into nor denied.
By the time the cameras went dark, the promotion had done more than advance the film—it had quietly shifted something between them, leaving Aaron thoughtful as the night gave way to a more personal conversation still waiting to be had.
Aaron went out to dinner that night with his father, and Robert finally asked about the relationship between him and Camille.
Aaron had told his siblings about Camille’s deception, but he had been too embarrassed to tell his parents.
It wasn’t that he couldn’t talk to them or feared they wouldn’t understand.
It was that he didn’t want them to see her in a bad light.
They were his parents, and it mattered deeply to him what they thought of any woman he brought home.
Inviting Camille to his parents’ anniversary celebration had been significant.
If she had been just some casual woman, he never would have done that.
In fact, the only other woman he had ever brought home was Scarlette.
For him to do that, and then for everything to sour, was not something he had been eager to relive out loud—especially after he had already confided in his father about how deeply he felt for her, and his father had urged him to slow down and be sure.
He didn’t want to hear—or even sense—an “I told you so.”
They knew, of course, that he and Camille had broken up, but he had offered only something vague, like, “It didn’t work out.” His parents had seemed disappointed, or maybe just sorry for how miserable he looked. His siblings were the only ones who knew the details.
But now everything was shifting again. His feelings for Camille were overtaking him, and he was forced to examine whether he had been entirely right in how he had judged her.
He had a decision to make about where they were going—if they were going anywhere at all.
His physical desire for her was nothing new, but that alone would never be enough to build a relationship on.
Trust was needed, and he wasn’t sure he was there yet.
Still, he couldn’t ignore how impressed he had been when she had put the brakes on their heated make-out session in Chicago.
She had changed. Matured over the last few months.
He could see it clearly. Even her responses during the interviews had been measured, thoughtful, controlled in a way he hadn’t noticed before.
It was as if she had truly spent their time apart reflecting and growing closer to God.
Aaron had checked out engagement rings online, and one in particular had immediately caught his attention: the Camille marquise diamond engagement ring.
The name alone felt almost impossible to ignore.
He called the jeweler and asked how quickly it could be delivered.
They told him the ring was in stock and available for same-day delivery.
For a moment, he was tempted to place the order immediately.
But this was too important to rush. He needed to be certain.
He wanted his father’s advice.
So now, as they sat over a steak dinner at the Taste of Texas restaurant he was grateful when Robert finally opened the door.
“You and Camille seem to be getting along again,” Robert said casually.
Aaron shrugged. “Well… we’re friends. We’re not enemies.”
Robert didn’t respond right away. He chewed a piece of steak, washed it down with a mouthful of beer, then wiped his mouth with his napkin and studied Aaron thoughtfully.
“You’re far from enemies, Aaron. I think it’s obvious to even a blind man on a trotting horse that you two have feelings for each other. A few months ago you were telling me how much you loved her. What happened to make you doubt that?”
Aaron took a slow breath. “You know that Camille filmed the season finale of Shadow Peak, right?”
“Yeah. I heard about that.”
“What did you think?”
Robert glanced off toward a quiet corner of the restaurant, while considering his response. “I thought maybe it was connected to the producers dropping the pending lawsuit. Like it was part of a settlement or something.”
“Mmm,” Aaron murmured, chewing a chunk of meat.
“Was that what happened?”
“Something like that.”
“Okay.”
Aaron set his fork down carefully. “The thing is… she kept it from me. As soon as she finished Esther, she went off and filmed those scenes in secret and never said a word to me about it.”
“I see.”
“And whenever I asked what she was doing, she’d get vague. Cagey.”
Robert studied him for a moment. “Did she ever actually lie to you?”
Aaron exhaled. “No. Not outright. But it still felt deceptive.”
“Why do you think she handled it that way?”
“She said she thought I’d be angry.”
Robert lifted a brow slightly. “Would you have been?”
Aaron hesitated before answering. “Maybe. I’ve made my feelings about that show very clear. I don’t understand how, as a Christian, she could feel comfortable filming it in the first place.”
Robert nodded slowly, thoughtfully. “Then she probably wasn’t wrong to think you might react strongly. Maybe even judge her for it.”
Aaron’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t interrupt.
“You can understand,” Robert continued gently, “why someone might keep something close to their chest if they’re afraid of disappointing the person they care about. Perhaps she was trying to work up the courage to tell you.”
Aaron leaned back in his chair. “Fine. But what does that say about her? About her character?”
Robert’s expression softened. “Honestly? It tells me she’s human.”
Aaron looked at him.
“It tells me she cares deeply about what you think of her,” Robert said. “It tells me she’s still growing in her faith. And it tells me that trust—real trust—is built over time, it doesn’t happen overnight.”
Aaron said nothing, turning the words over quietly.
After a moment, Robert leaned back slightly. “Remember that GQ shoot we did months ago?”
Aaron gave a faint nod.
“You know there were people at my church who questioned whether we should’ve participated in something like that as Christians.” A small, rueful smile crossed Robert’s face. “They had a point. It wasn’t the wisest decision.”
Aaron remembered telling Camille the same thing, that everyone had unguarded moments—moments where pride, fear, ambition, or insecurity could leave them vulnerable to the enemy.
Robert folded his hands loosely on the table. “Let me tell you something else, Aaron. Years ago, your mother kept something from me. You were probably too young to remember it clearly, but I was deeply hurt by the secrecy.”
Aaron’s eyes lifted.
“I reacted badly,” Robert admitted. “I was offended. Angry. I convinced myself it was a betrayal. I actually left the house and stayed with a friend for a few days because I needed space to sort through my emotions. But during that time God reminded me that I had no right to condemn her—because I wasn’t perfect either.
I needed grace just as much as she did. So I went home.
We talked. We patched things up. And we grew stronger because of it.
She realized she could tell me anything and I would still be there because I loved her. I realized the same about her.”
Aaron listened quietly.
“Over time,” Robert continued, “Camille will realize the same thing about you—that she can trust you with her secrets. But you have to give grace. If you withhold grace, how can she ever trust you with her heart?”
Aaron exhaled slowly. “So… I guess you’ve revised your opinion about us.”
Robert arched a brow. “What do you mean?”
“The last time we spoke, you said I shouldn’t rush into things. That I should get to know her away from shooting the movie.”
“I thought that was exactly what you were doing,” Robert replied with a small smile.
“You’re out here promoting a film and showing people—and each other—who you really are.
And I have to say, Aaron, what I’ve seen of Camille during this tour is quite admirable.
I don’t think you should let her go so easily.
But, as I’ve always encouraged you to do… pray, and let God guide you.”
Aaron nodded. “Thanks for the advice, Dad.” He paused, then added with a grin, “So… are you going to tell me what Mom kept from you?”
Robert burst into booming laughter. “Not on your life!”
~*~*~*~
Back in his hotel room after dinner with his dad, Aaron slid off his jacket and sank onto the edge of the bed. The city lights of Houston shimmered beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, traffic gliding like ribbons of gold below. He pulled out his phone and dialed home.
His mother answered on the second ring. “Hey. How are things going?”
“The reception has been really good,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s tiring though. Grueling. Is Madison asleep?”
“No, she’s been up waiting to hear from you. Hold on.”
He heard her calling down the hall. A moment later—
“Hello, Daddy?” Madison’s bright little voice chirped.
His chest warmed instantly. “Hey, sweetheart.”
“What did you do today?”
“Talked to some people about my movie.”
“More people?”
He smiled. “Yeah. I want them to come see it.”
“Okay. Grandma took me to the zoo today.”