59

Camille

"Do you know where your heart lies?" My breath stills while I look at her, hoping she won't find some way to change the subject.

"Yes," she answers after a long moment, her expression becoming self-conscious and knowing. "But it might be better to be torn between two men who want you, than the situation where you know one wants you and the other just sees you as a thing he has no plans to love, or treat like a human being."

Thank God, she's trusting me. A weight lifts from my shoulders and I step into the shoes of the friend I've always wanted to be to her.

"Is that what it's really like?"

"Yes."

We stare at each other for a few awkward moments of silence while I wait for her to elaborate.

"You know about Zakh and me, don't you?" She speaks finally in a hushed voice. As if she's scared the trees might hear her.

"I do. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I was scared. I'm still scared."

"Don't be."

The vein at her temple pulses. "I love my parents with all my heart, but no one knows what