After dinner, Cameron slipped away to the east garden. He didn't have to wait long. The familiar, quiet presence joined him in the dark.
"You're leaving," Aaron said softly.
"Yes. In two days. Going back to Crestview."
Aaron was silent for a moment, looking up at the stars. "It's the right decision. You need to finish what you started. On your own terms." He turned his head. "The distance will be… manageable."
It was the first time either of them had said what was going on between them out loud. No drama. No fanfare. Just pure honesty.
"It's only a few hours by train," Cameron said.
"One hour, seventeen minutes by helicopter," Aaron replied without thinking, then stopped. "Not that I would… always come to disrupt your studies."
Cameron smiled. "Of course not." He took a step closer. "Thank you. For the internship. For… everything at the gallery."
