Chapter 54
Chapter Fifty-Four
CAMERON
Willow arrives at Plateia, the Mediterranean place just blocks from the hospital where Tally's recovering. I chose it deliberately—can't bear being far from Tally right now.
When Willow walks in, she's still gorgeous, but her smile doesn't reach her eyes.
No surprise there. Two days ago, I called her from my car and blurted out that our wedding was canceled because I needed to find my ex.
The woman I truly love. The woman Willow probably knew I loved all along, though she never mentioned it. Some things don't need saying.
When I called her about canceling the wedding, I hung up on her mid-conversation, too frantic to even explain properly.
Haven't spoken to her—or any wedding guest—since.
Now I need to hear how she's doing, what happened after I bolted.
Part of me hopes everyone just enjoyed the reception anyway.
At least then the champagne and flights wouldn't have been a complete waste.
She slides into the chair across from me, setting her Hermès Birkin on the table—a bag worth more than Tally's beloved new Jeep "Sophie.
" Her blue eyes meet mine, sad but flickering with hope.
I can tell she thinks I've asked her here to reschedule our wedding.
She won't speak first though; pride keeps her silent.
"How are you?" I ask.
She shrugs. "Been better."
I clear my throat. "I'm really sorry about everything."
Her hand covers mine. "I understand. Roman explained that Tally would have died if you hadn't gone to Mammoth when you did.
The search teams couldn't locate her—only you could, because of some kind of psychic connection?
I never believed in that sort of thing, but somehow she reached out to you.
She was so well-hidden they might never have found her otherwise. "
"The rescue teams had thousands of square miles to cover," I say. "I found her quickly because Roman's right—we did communicate somehow."
It still sounds strange, though Lilith insists there's nothing unusual about it.
She believes some things defy rational explanation, and my telepathic connection with Tally falls into that category.
What it proves is that Tally and I share something profound.
If Willow had been lost instead, I couldn't have found her the same way.
I don't have that soul-deep bond with her. That's what matters in the end.
She nods, inhales deeply, then offers a smile.
"So. Now that we've moved past all this, and Brinley's mother is safe and recovering with proper care, what do you think about us starting fresh and planning another wedding?
I realize we invested quite a bit in the ceremony that never happened, but we could arrange something else.
Perhaps something more intimate this time.
We don't need the extravagant celebration we originally planned. "
My stomach tightens into a knot. I've dreaded this conversation.
Somewhere in my mind, I'd hoped Willow understood why finding Tally was so urgent—not just because she's Brinley's mother and deserves to watch her daughter grow up.
What Willow can't see is the real truth: Tally owns every piece of me.
If she had died alone in those woods, a part of me would have died with her.
The loss would have hollowed me out like that night I lost Alecia and Stephanie.
I would have walked through the rest of my life as a ghost. I understand now with absolute clarity that my place is beside Tally, however she'll have me.
I'll wait as long as it takes for her to dismantle the fortress around her heart, brick by brick.
My place is with her—through anything, everything.
I take Willow’s hands, my voice gentle but firm.
"Willow, listen. I care about you deeply, but what Tally and I have.
.. it's something I can't explain. When she was in trouble, I just knew where to find her.
That kind of connection—it's rare. I should never have started this with you when my heart was elsewhere. I'm so sorry."
Willow's shoulders drop as she exhales. "Deep down, I always sensed it. The way you looked at her..." She shakes her head. "I kept telling myself I was imagining things. That we'd end up married, growing old together." Her voice catches. "Like Theodore and I would have. Or you and Alecia."
I say the only words I can manage: "I'm sorry.
" Offering friendship would be an insult after what we've shared.
She's losing not just me, but little Brinley too—I've seen how her face lights up around my daughter.
Part of me wants to blame Silas for his meddling, for putting her in my path when I was vulnerable.
But the truth is, I knew better. I knew from the start this was wrong, yet I charged ahead anyway.
Why? Because I convinced myself that if I couldn't have Tally, I should settle for someone who wanted me.
What nonsense. Real love doesn't work that way.
Real love waits. Real love endures while the other person figures their life out.
Patient and kind—just like that old poem says.
She gives a tight nod. "I see. Well, your mind's clearly made up, so I'll just..." She reaches for her purse, her knuckles white around the handle.
When she walks out, her heels click a steady rhythm against the tile. Not a stumble. Not a backward glance.
My shoulders drop as the door swings shut behind her.
Relief mingles with the acid burn of guilt in my stomach.
I press my fingertips against my temples.
Christ. I had no business dragging her into my mess.
But watching her walk away only confirms what I've known since I met that tattooed hellion who crashed into my life—there's only one woman I want. Tally.
Maybe she'll open her heart to me again. Maybe she'll choose me, build a life with me.
Or maybe she won't.
Either way, I belong beside her.