Page 109 of Love Unscripted
Even church attendance had been inconsistent. And when she had started attending regularly, it had been partly because of Aaron. Because she wanted to be with him. Bible study—the same.
It was a bad foundation.
After their breakup she knew she could not return to his church. Through references, she found another congregation,close doctrinally, less emotionally charged. She began rising earlier. Reading. Reflecting. Journaling. Praying.
Her first mistake had been trusting her own ingenuity over God.
She should have prayed about the Simon situation. Asked for wisdom. Even if it had been God’s will for her to film that finalShadow Peakepisode, she should have been bold and upfront with Aaron.
What had she feared?
His disgust. His rejection.
And she had ended up there anyway.
She opened her eyes now. “Lord, let me honor You tonight,” she murmured, and stepped out of the car.
~*~*~*~
In the green room, Yves was already there.
“Camille!” He rose immediately, smiling warmly, embracing her and kissing her cheek. “You look serene.”
“I am attempting to be,” she replied lightly.
They made small talk. He asked what she’d been doing besides appearing inShadow Peak. He admitted he was intrigued by how she had pulled that off.
“I thought it was the cleanest way to end the feud,” she said with a small laugh. “And move on with my life.”
“That was strategic,” he said approvingly.
The door opened and Robert entered.
For a split second she hesitated. But he settled it instantly.
“Camille!” His face lit up. He held out his arms.
Relief flooded her. She stepped into his embrace. Whatever Aaron had said—or not said—had not poisoned Robert against her.
Then the door opened again.
Aaron.
Her heart betrayed her instantly.
Their eyes met and held.
He looked different. The long hair was gone. The beard was gone. He sported a low haircut, and a smooth jaw. He looked younger. Almost boyish.
But the vulnerability in his eyes—there and gone in a flash—undid her.
Robert released her to greet his son. Aaron murmured something—perhaps “hi”—but she barely registered it. She managed a small smile and reclaimed her seat beside Yves just as Ray arrived and the assistant ushered them toward the stage.
They were arranged carefully: Camille and Aaron in the center. Robert at Aaron’s left. Ray and Yves at Camille’s right.
The applause was loud.
The host, Ted Connelly—charismatic and sharp-eyed—beamed at them.
