Chapter 42 #2
I don't mention that despite the attraction—which is definitely there—we haven't slept together.
They'd never understand why: every time I get close, Tally's face flashes in my mind like I'm betraying her somehow.
It's absurd, I know. But when Willow kisses me, I respond. The chemistry isn't our problem.
“So, there you go,” Silas says. “You try to make a list of pros and cons, and if you make a list of the pros with Willow, you’ll have a shit ton. Do the same list for Tally, and it’s all cons, man. All cons.”
I nod, but something twists in my gut. If Tally's so wrong for me, why does everything about her feel so right?
But I know one thing - I need something solid to believe in.
Tally's given me nothing—not a single foothold to climb toward her.
She won't even step out of her own way long enough to let me in.
Meanwhile, Willow keeps painting this future for us.
"I'm falling for you," she says. "I can see forever with you. " Those words, right out in the open.
Does Tally love me? Hell if I know. She's never said it, never shown it.
That night at the chalet, when everything between us felt so real, so raw—I let those three words slip out.
Couldn't hold them back. And what did she do? Pretended not to hear me. Just kept moving like I hadn't laid my heart bare between us. And I’ve told her I love her several more times since then, and she’s always played deaf when I say those words.
If that's not my answer right there, what is?
When someone can't even acknowledge your love, they've already given you their response.
Roman leans in, lowering his voice. "Look, Cam.
You need to understand something about Silas.
He's got skin in this game with you and Willow.
He played matchmaker, and Willow's in his inner circle.
If things crash and burn, he's the one who'll catch hell from her, not to mention looking like a complete idiot.
And you know how Silas hates being wrong about anything.
" He taps his finger on the table. "Just..
. filter whatever advice he gives you, alright? "
Silas narrows his eyes at Roman. "Shut the fuck up, bro.
" He rolls his eyes. "You think I'd steer Cameron toward a lifetime of misery just to avoid admitting I'm wrong?
Listen, logic beats instinct every time.
Period. Your brain's the reliable one here.
" He makes a dismissive gesture. "Look at the facts—one woman keeps pushing Cameron away while the other is all in.
And bonus, she actually shares his interests.
" He jabs his chopsticks in my direction.
"Trust me on this—being able to talk until sunrise about shit you both care about?
That's the foundation. Not whatever primal thing you had going with Tally. "
Guy's got a point. I give in with a smile and pull out the ring for my brothers to inspect.
The princess cut diamond catches the light, its platinum setting gleaming.
Nothing like Max's extravagant pink diamond that cost him millions, or Roman's rare blue stone he hunted down for Lilith.
My brothers and their damn colored diamonds.
Me? I went classic. Simple. And yeah, I didn't agonize over catalogs for months or whatever, but that doesn't mean I don't care.
I just... didn't want to make it complicated. That's all.
I sigh. Who am I fooling? For Tally, I wouldn't just walk into a jewelry store and point at something behind glass.
I'd lose sleep sketching designs. I'd corner Celeste and Olivia for intel on what would make her eyes light up.
Not just any stone would do—I'd need something as complex as she is.
I've actually pictured it: a natural black diamond with hidden fire inside, revealing different colors every time she moves her hand.
Pure Tally—darkness with unexpected brilliance underneath.
God help me, I've already researched suppliers and bookmarked designs that might be worthy of her finger. That's how far gone I am.
Roman and Silas look at the ring, and Roman looks back at me.
“Pretty,” he says and then raises an eyebrow.
He knows that this generic ring means I’m just not really feeling this.
Silas is right about one thing - Lilith has changed him.
He’s much more sensitive now, much more likely to see what’s under the hood.
Silas, on the other hand, beams at the ring and nods.
"Now that's what I call an engagement ring. Flawless clarity, platinum setting, princess cut." He nods approvingly. "Knocked it out of the park, Cam." Leave it to our resident gemologist to recognize a six-figure stone when he sees one. In his mind, that price tag equals commitment.
Roman's eyes narrow, reading me like a book he'd rather not finish. "Cam," he says, shaking his head slightly, "just be true to yourself, alright? Whatever you decide, we've got your back. I just want to make sure it's what you actually want."
I swallow hard and take a sip of sake. “It’s what I really want.”
Roman shakes his head, but Silas claps a hand on my shoulder. "Time to make it official and bring Willow into the fold! Let's have Asher handle the engagement bash—you know what he's like when he gets his hands on party planning."
I nod. "Asher's the man for the job. Once I get that 'yes,' I'm handing him the reins. Between my sports medicine fellowship kicking off and everything else, wedding planning's the last thing I've got bandwidth for. Engagement party, venue hunting—all that stuff. Asher can work his magic."
After dinner, Silas heads out while Roman and I hang back in front of the restaurant.
"I can tell something's up," he says, crossing his arms. "Either you tell me what's going on, or I'm asking Lilith.
And we both know once she gets her cards involved, there's nowhere to hide.
Your choice—talk to me now or face the tarot inquisition. "
I sigh. "I just can't shake Tally. There's just a big part of me that still thinks she's end game.
But Silas is right. That's just my heart talking.
My brain is screaming at me to put a ring on it for Willow.
I know you're worried about me, and I love you for it, but here's the thing. I’m not settling.
It's not like forcing myself to marry somebody completely wrong for me. On the contrary, Tally is completely right for me.”
“You mean, Willow is right for you, don't you?”
I nod. “Yes, yes. Right. Willow is completely right for me. So I'll be happy with her. Everything about her is right for me.”
Roman grabs my shoulder, fingers digging in. "Listen to yourself, man. We both know Tally owns you. But if she won't have you—" he shrugs, his expression darkening. "Life's brutal that way. You can't always get what you want, but sometimes you get what you need. The Stones knew that shit."
I nod.
Yes, you can’t always get what you want. But sometimes you can get what you need.
And, on paper, Willow is everything I need.