Chapter 11 · Continued
The Choice
Cam remained quiet.
“I was trying to decide what the right thing was,” she admitted. “And maybe selfishly enjoying having you here a little longer while I figured it out.”
“I also enjoyed being here.”
Jane looked up.
The sentence struck harder than she expected.
Not because it sounded emotional.
Because it didn’t.
It was simple. Direct. Stated like an observed fact.
Seymour jumped onto the couch and looked between them before dropping heavily onto one of the cushions.
Jane rubbed her forehead. “What happens now?”
“Phil is traveling here personally. I selected him because his role makes him highly motivated to resolve the situation without unnecessary attention.”
Jane blinked. “You chose the man whose ass was on the line.”
Cam paused. “That is a less formal but accurate description.”
Despite herself, Jane laughed.
“I determined that minimizing negative outcomes for everyone involved was the most appropriate solution,” Cam said.
Jane looked at him for a long moment, then nodded. “You probably made the right choice.”
She still looked sad when she said it.
“I’m going to tell Chris what’s happening.” Jane reached for her phone, then stopped. “And Cam… even if I’m not thrilled that you decided without me, you did the right thing.”
“You did nothing wrong, Jane,” Cam replied immediately.
His voice remained calm and matter-of-fact.
“I left the transport vehicle because the collision created an uncertain situation. Returning here aligned with my established behavioral priorities.”
Jane looked at him. “You came back to me.”
“Yes.”
That answer landed harder than she expected.
“The RCAM return-processing office was closed during the weekend,” Cam continued. “There would not have been personnel available to receive an incident report until today.”
A brief pause followed.
“Therefore, we did spend additional time together.”
Jane laughed softly through her sadness. “You know how to make things sound logical and heartbreaking at the same time.”
“That was not my intention.”
“I know.”
She looked down for a moment, then smiled faintly at him.
“I guess you made the decision for me.”
Cam remained quiet.
“I’m relieved,” she admitted. “But now I know I’ll probably never see you again.”
A tear slipped down her cheek. She wiped it away quickly and laughed awkwardly at herself.
“I know this is silly. I know you’re not human…”
She stopped.
Because saying it aloud did nothing to make the loss feel less real.
Cam watched her quietly.
Somehow, that made it worse.
Jane turned toward the front door. “I need some air.”
Outside, the late-afternoon air felt cool against her face. The trees shifted softly in the wind as she stepped onto the porch and called Chris.