[ He snorts when her nose scrunches cutely, then realizes his mistake suggesting popsicles when his brain shorts out for a brief moment seeing a flash of her pink tongue. He tells himself not to go there, not now. This isn’t the time, as much as he’s missed her in all the ways he could.
Instead, they turn back down the hallway to Alice’s room. ]
I wasn’t going to, but I will now. I’ll say you got the last one. [ He smiles too-sweet. ]
[ It doesn't occur to her, the picture she makes. It's utterly Marta to not realize the teasing temptation she makes. It's not her intention, so she doesn't think of it. She only laughs at his eagerness to tease her baby sister.
It's strange to think that once she'd been so fiercely protective of Alice against him. Now she's able to laugh and tease her with him. ]
She'll have such an awful attitude until you give it to her. [ When they return to the room, Alice is on her phone. She flicks her gaze up and smiles when she sees her sister eating her cherry popsicle. ]
[ There’s that lovely laugh again. A pleased smirk tugs on his mouth as he slowly nods his head. ]
It’s nothing I haven’t seen before. [ He grins.
When Alice smiles bright and hopeful at them as they enter her room, he almost fails to hold back his laughter. Only Marta gets him this loose, this giddy, defenses low enough that even teasing a teenager could be this fun. He hides the third popsicle behind his back, shrugs and offers her his own. He pastes an apologetic look on his face as he stands at her bedside. ]
Here. [ The purple is glaring beneath the clear wrapper. ] This one’s yours. They had one cherry left and I thought Marta deserved it.
[ It's comical how quickly Alice's face shifts. She's so much like her sister in that she wears her heart on her sleeve. Her expression turns into a deep scowl when she looks from the grape popsicle to the one her sister is eating. ]
You knew I wanted cherry!
[ She's full on pouting now as she pushes away Ransom's proffered gift. She huffs. ] I'm the one that's in the hospital!
[ Alice gives him a reproachful look. She stares at him than the popsicle. Along with Marta's pointed look, she can only reluctantly concede as she takes it from him. ]
[ Marta only has a smile on her face as she innocently eats her popsicle. She perches herself at the foot of Alice's bed. She looks so out of place in her glamorous dress. Alice is genuinely surprised when he gives her the cherry one he's had all along. She snatches it and tears it open. ]
[ Ransom manages to hold a straight face for a moment as Alice grabs the cherry and he takes the grape back, but as she accuses him, he laughs, a hand satisfyingly finding his chest. ]
You should've seen your face! [ He grins at her. ] I was testing you, and you passed. Good girl. [ There's a simpering smirk curled on his lips as snorts and sinks in to the armchair beside her bed while opening up his own popsicle. He licks it then points it at her. ]
You're not funny. [ There's no real malice in Alice's tone. It's that teenage petulance that really has no bite to it. Marta laughs brightly at the sullen way she eats her popsicle. This feels so right, the three of them. It feels comfortable. Ransom fits himself in seamlessly. ]
You two are like children together. [ Marta is teasing them. She likes it. This banter and back and forth between them is nice. ]
[ There's a quiet huff of laughter as Ransom chomps off a piece of his popsicle and winks at Alice. His gaze is softer when he looks at Marta and smiles stick-sweet like their treats. Her lips are stained red and she perches cross-legged at the foot of the bed. It's all both enticing and adorable. ]
Pretty sure children like artificial cheery, [ He says, around the chunk of icy sweetness in his mouth. ]
[ Both sisters look appalled when Ransom bites into his popsicle. It makes Marta's teeth hurt to watch that, so she focused on long licks. Alice prefers just sucking on it. It does wonders in making her feel better. Marta playfully rolls her eyes at him. Thoughts of Cameron had faded into the background her mind. ]
[ Ransom's eyes fill with adoring mirth, and he can't help the way his eyes dart down to Marta's mouth and the slow, dragging laps of her tongue. There's something fond in her teasing tone, too, which feeds right into the way he longs for her. He knows she's not doing it on purpose. She's not like that, but that almost makes it even better. He's got it bad, he knows.
A sigh huffs from his parted lips and he tips his head back in the armchair, gaze landing on Marta's eyes with an easy smile. He hates the hospital, but this moment makes up for it. ]
It's not a fair trial. Two against one. Jury's totally biased.
[ Ransom huffs a laugh and kisses his teeth. He points at Alice with his popsicle. ]
I shoulda left you at the party.
[ Ransom's barely finished his thought before footsteps turn the corner to the open doorway of the room. His gaze lifts, and though his smile fades, his face remains carefully impassive. Slowly, he brings the popsicle to his mouth again, the quiet snap of off another piece of it as Cameron takes in the scene.
It's gut-wrenching, and though he tries, the hurt is clear as day in his warm dark eyes as his gaze lands on Marta. Ransom raises both brows, unimpressed gaze resting on Cameron's face, where confusion gathers around his eyes.
[ Marta sees Cameron and I'm immediately gets to her feet. She slips her popsicle back into the wrapper. She feels strangely guilty even though she hasn't done anything wrong. She and Ransom hasn't stolen moments like they'd done before. ]
Cam. Ransom was the one who helped Alice and got her the help she needed.
[ Alice feels like she's watching a telenovela. She sees the way Ransom looks at them and how hurt Cameron looks. Her sister looks like she's trapped between a rock and a hard place. The room is crackling with tension. ]
[ Cameron visibly holds back the disappointment as Marta stands, guilt written all over her face and in the words she chooses to say. He didn't ask for an explanation, and the fact that she felt she needed to defend Ransom speaks louder than what she does say.
And Ransom just continues lounging, brows lifted as if he's just an observer and not that centre of this whirlwind. Alice pulls him out of his train of thought. He blinks, stepping up beside her on the other side of her bed, opposite to where Ransom sits. There's a subtle smug smile tugging on his mouth as Alice comes to the rescue, as if she could diffuse all this tension between them. Marta looks like she's ready to start apologizing for nothing. ]
Hey Alice. [ Cameron reaches out to squeeze Alice's shoulder, smile pinched as he looks over her bed, noticing the pulse monitor squeezed over her thumb and the popsicle in her other hand. Though he has every right to be here, he feels unwelcome. He feels like the outsider. ] Sorry I'm so late, I got here as fast as I could. You alright?
[ Marta goes to Cameron and slides her arms around him for a hug. She holds him close for just a moment then let's go. When she looks up at him, she wants him to understand that nothing has changed. She's not Ransom's. She's chosen him. She stays by him as Alice commands attention. She's still cheerily eating her popsicle. ]
It's okay. I know you're like Super Mr. Important. [ She gives him a teasing grin, but that's food for thought. Work will always come first for Cameron. She's beginning to see how Ransom stops everything for Marta. ] I'm okay. I wanna go home now, but they said I have to wait until morning.
Yeah, 'cus you're literally high on roofies right now, [ Ransom chimes in, some of his displeasure from seeing Marta wrapped around Cameron sneaking into the bite of his voice. ] 'f course you're feeling fine and not fucked out of your mind. Pardon my language. [ He smiles sweetly at Alice, and Cameron gives a single, subtle shake of his head with a sigh that he barely allows to sift out of his nose.
Marta's hug helps, but he can't help but wonder what happened when he hadn't been around. But he trusts Marta, and Ransom appearing in their lives for no good reason isn't anything new. He reminds himself of it again: this isn't anything new. He pushes a hand through his hair and gives Alice a tired smile.
Ransom loves it when that perfect facade of Cameron's starts cracking like this. And he lets it show, too, with the look he levels on Cameron as he crosses his ankles and takes another bite of his popsicle.
Cameron's in a perfectly tailored navy suit. His brown dress shoes are impeccably shined, hair stylishly brushed, but Ransom can read the white-knuckled grip he has on his car keys and he can see the discomfort gathered around his eyes. His smile isn't even close to the charm and ease it usually commands. Cameron's eyes slide to him and Ransom smiles. There's the slightest pause before Cameron speaks, as the information sinks in. ]
Ransom's right. It's better for you to be here where the doctors can make sure nothing else happened. Have you spoken to the police yet?
[ There's an air of awkwardness and tension. Marta isn't sure how to handle it. It feels wrong to be by Cameron's side, but she's not Ransom's. She keeps reminding herself that he's made his choice. But that thought is quickly gone when Cameron mentions the police. She hadn't even given law enforcement a second thought. She's seen how slow and difficult the system can be. In a case like this? They'd tear Alice to pieces for being drunk at a party especially since the boy is affluent.
But Ransom had promised her he'd handled it. She believes him. She trusts him in that. She might not trust him with her heart, but she trusts him with everything else. Including Alice now. Her gaze meet his as they have a quiet understanding about what will be done. Alice speaks up for the both of them. ]
No. Doctors thinks I should wait until it's all out of my system.
[ Marta nods in agreement. She reaches out and smooths out her sister's hair. ] You just need to rest.
[ Cameron knows when to hold his tongue, and when Marta seems to agree with Alice, he stops pushing the suggestion, although he notes in the back of his mind that he should follow up on it. Alice isn't someone that needs to keep quiet in these situations anymore. However, he does not the look that Marta and Ransom shares, and it feels like cold water trickling down his spine. ]
Yeah. Rest up. We'll take care of it. [ Cameron tries his best to smile at Alice again, as Ransom finishes off his popsicle and gives a resounding sigh. He can feel Marta's discomfort and takes it as a cue. ]
You're stressing me out--can't imagine how Alice feels. [ Ransom stands, tossing the popsicle stick into the trash by Alice's bedside. ] It's like--one in the morning. As much as I'd love to keep you company all night, pipsqueak, it's way past all our bedtimes. [ He gives Alice a teasing smile. ] Come on. Let's all get outta her hair.
[ Marta doesn't plan on leaving Alice's bedside tonight. She knows she needs to deal with the two men though, so after throwing away her half eaten popsicle with some regret, she kisses her sister's forehead. She promises to come back soon once she sees the boys off. She could use some quiet to rest.
She carefully herds them out of Marta's room and just a little down the hall. She smooths our her designer dress which now has some wrinkles for how she'd been sitting on Alice's bed. She looks at the two men. The man she loves and the man she's chosen. ]
Thank you both for being here tonight. It means a lot to me and Alice.
[ She's trying not to sound awkward and stilted, but this is new ground for her. ]
[ Ransom and Cameron both have the same thought: that Cameron was barely here at all. Cameron thinks it with guilt lacing behind his eyes, tugging on his brows as he tries for a smile. Ransom's expression is all the same unimpressed as he shrugs off Marta's appreciation. ]
Of course. [ Cameron says, reaching out for Marta's hand. Ransom's hands are folded casually in his pockets. ]
You're welcome. [ Is Ransom's answer, with a bitter bite to his words. There's tension pressing Cameron's lips tight as he sighs and turns to Ransom with an open, resigned expression.]
Thanks, Ransom. Seriously. [ Suspicious curiosity plays in Ransom's gaze as he looks at Cameron, head tipping in question, as if asking him to expand. Cameron does. ] For keeping an eye on Alice and--doing something about it. I know you didn't have to.
[ Ransom snorts, then shakes his head once, reaches out to pat Cameron on the arm. ] You kiddin'? Of course I did something about it. [ His smile spreads intently. ] Anything for Marta. [ The tension that gathers along Cameron's eyes is too satisfying, and Ransom doesn't bother hiding a single ounce of the amusement that sparkles in his. ] It's real nice to be here to help where I can.
Right. [ Ransom can see Cameron do that thing now, where he retreats behind that professional, charming, work-y personality of his--the one Ransom busted through so easily when they met all those years ago. It's ironic to see how often Cameron resorts to it around him now. Cameron's smile is tight-lipped. ] Well you should get some rest, after all you did. I can keep the girls company now. [ There's just the edge of displeasure sneaking on to Ransom's expression as he spares a glance at Marta.
Marta, who stands there in front of them, sincere and beautiful as always. Ransom huffs a quiet laugh. ]
You want to leave now, do you? [ He takes a step toward Cameron, smile icy-cold. Cameron tips his head up. ] At least fucking say it.
[ It's uncomfortable being caught in the middle between them. It's like some kind of pissing match as they try and see who's more worthy of who has more right to her. It irritates her to no end. As fondly as she feels for both of them, it's more than she can deal with tonight. Tonight, she just wants to focus on her baby sister. She looks at them both with her hands on her hips. There's green fire in her eyes. ]
Both of you can go home. I appreciate you two being here tonight, but right now, I want to focus on Alice.
[ She knows this will hurt Cameron. She hates hurting him, but this isn't about him. It isn't about Ransom. She just wants a moment to breathe without both of them swirling in her brain and confusing her. She releases a heavy breath. ]
[ Ransom’s brows lift, all too familiar with the firey irritation in Marta’s eyes. His own gaze only becomes more amused as he looks from Marta to Cameron, who looks far from pleased.
So he laughs. A hand finding his chest as he nods. Cameron looks at him, deeply indignant, and Ransom realizes that this is a part of Marta Cameron has never known. How sad. ]
Not such an angel, huh? [ He says, to both of them, to himself, maybe. ] Whatever you want, princess.
[ Cameron’s frown deepens as he turns a questioning to Marta, as if he could share any sort of silent thought with her without Ransom picking up on anything. ]
Ransom, give us a moment, would you? [ It’s a calm, quiet sort of anger, and though Ransom’s no stranger to Cameron putting his steady foot down, he’s genuinely impressed at having the sentiment expressed towards him. There’s a beat as his amusement tempers, before he relents with a snort and a sarcastic tip of his head. ]
Good luck in paradise. [ And he turns on his heels and breezes down the hallway.
Cameron lets out the tense breath he’s been holding, then looks at Marta. ]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2023-04-19 01:18 am (UTC)Instead, they turn back down the hallway to Alice’s room. ]
I wasn’t going to, but I will now. I’ll say you got the last one. [ He smiles too-sweet. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-04-19 12:05 pm (UTC)It's strange to think that once she'd been so fiercely protective of Alice against him. Now she's able to laugh and tease her with him. ]
She'll have such an awful attitude until you give it to her. [ When they return to the room, Alice is on her phone. She flicks her gaze up and smiles when she sees her sister eating her cherry popsicle. ]
Where's mine?
no subject
Date: 2023-04-19 12:28 pm (UTC)It’s nothing I haven’t seen before. [ He grins.
When Alice smiles bright and hopeful at them as they enter her room, he almost fails to hold back his laughter. Only Marta gets him this loose, this giddy, defenses low enough that even teasing a teenager could be this fun. He hides the third popsicle behind his back, shrugs and offers her his own. He pastes an apologetic look on his face as he stands at her bedside. ]
Here. [ The purple is glaring beneath the clear wrapper. ] This one’s yours. They had one cherry left and I thought Marta deserved it.
no subject
Date: 2023-04-19 12:33 pm (UTC)You knew I wanted cherry!
[ She's full on pouting now as she pushes away Ransom's proffered gift. She huffs. ] I'm the one that's in the hospital!
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Date: 2023-04-19 01:34 pm (UTC)Yeah--and why do you think both of us are in the hospital right now? [ He holds the popsicle toward her again. ] Do you want one or not?
no subject
Date: 2023-04-19 01:41 pm (UTC)Fine. Whatever.
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Date: 2023-04-19 01:45 pm (UTC)That means something, doesn't it? She's trusting him to walk the fine line with Alice. ]
Here. [ He takes the cheery from behind his back and holds it out to Alice, mouth twisting with a whimsy smile. ] I'm not that much of an asshole.
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Date: 2023-04-19 01:49 pm (UTC)You were messing with me!
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Date: 2023-04-19 02:02 pm (UTC)You should've seen your face! [ He grins at her. ] I was testing you, and you passed. Good girl. [ There's a simpering smirk curled on his lips as snorts and sinks in to the armchair beside her bed while opening up his own popsicle. He licks it then points it at her. ]
Don't always believe what you're told, hm?
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Date: 2023-04-19 02:11 pm (UTC)You two are like children together. [ Marta is teasing them. She likes it. This banter and back and forth between them is nice. ]
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Date: 2023-04-19 02:32 pm (UTC)Pretty sure children like artificial cheery, [ He says, around the chunk of icy sweetness in his mouth. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-04-19 02:51 pm (UTC)Artificial grape isn't any better, Ransom.
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Date: 2023-04-19 03:30 pm (UTC)A sigh huffs from his parted lips and he tips his head back in the armchair, gaze landing on Marta's eyes with an easy smile. He hates the hospital, but this moment makes up for it. ]
It's not a fair trial. Two against one. Jury's totally biased.
no subject
Date: 2023-04-19 03:40 pm (UTC)[ Her lips are already ready. Marta laughs again and feels a touch of that playful smugness to team up on Ransom. It's a lot of fun. ]
She's the boss here tonight. What she says goes. [ She flutters her lashes and gives him her most innocent smile. ]
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Date: 2023-04-19 04:16 pm (UTC)I shoulda left you at the party.
[ Ransom's barely finished his thought before footsteps turn the corner to the open doorway of the room. His gaze lifts, and though his smile fades, his face remains carefully impassive. Slowly, he brings the popsicle to his mouth again, the quiet snap of off another piece of it as Cameron takes in the scene.
It's gut-wrenching, and though he tries, the hurt is clear as day in his warm dark eyes as his gaze lands on Marta. Ransom raises both brows, unimpressed gaze resting on Cameron's face, where confusion gathers around his eyes.
Ransom breaks the silence. ]
You alright, bud?
no subject
Date: 2023-04-19 04:43 pm (UTC)Cam. Ransom was the one who helped Alice and got her the help she needed.
[ Alice feels like she's watching a telenovela. She sees the way Ransom looks at them and how hurt Cameron looks. Her sister looks like she's trapped between a rock and a hard place. The room is crackling with tension. ]
Hi, Cam!
no subject
Date: 2023-04-19 06:11 pm (UTC)And Ransom just continues lounging, brows lifted as if he's just an observer and not that centre of this whirlwind. Alice pulls him out of his train of thought. He blinks, stepping up beside her on the other side of her bed, opposite to where Ransom sits. There's a subtle smug smile tugging on his mouth as Alice comes to the rescue, as if she could diffuse all this tension between them. Marta looks like she's ready to start apologizing for nothing. ]
Hey Alice. [ Cameron reaches out to squeeze Alice's shoulder, smile pinched as he looks over her bed, noticing the pulse monitor squeezed over her thumb and the popsicle in her other hand. Though he has every right to be here, he feels unwelcome. He feels like the outsider. ] Sorry I'm so late, I got here as fast as I could. You alright?
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Date: 2023-04-19 07:00 pm (UTC)It's okay. I know you're like Super Mr. Important. [ She gives him a teasing grin, but that's food for thought. Work will always come first for Cameron. She's beginning to see how Ransom stops everything for Marta. ] I'm okay. I wanna go home now, but they said I have to wait until morning.
no subject
Date: 2023-04-19 07:32 pm (UTC)Marta's hug helps, but he can't help but wonder what happened when he hadn't been around. But he trusts Marta, and Ransom appearing in their lives for no good reason isn't anything new. He reminds himself of it again: this isn't anything new. He pushes a hand through his hair and gives Alice a tired smile.
Ransom loves it when that perfect facade of Cameron's starts cracking like this. And he lets it show, too, with the look he levels on Cameron as he crosses his ankles and takes another bite of his popsicle.
Cameron's in a perfectly tailored navy suit. His brown dress shoes are impeccably shined, hair stylishly brushed, but Ransom can read the white-knuckled grip he has on his car keys and he can see the discomfort gathered around his eyes. His smile isn't even close to the charm and ease it usually commands. Cameron's eyes slide to him and Ransom smiles. There's the slightest pause before Cameron speaks, as the information sinks in. ]
Ransom's right. It's better for you to be here where the doctors can make sure nothing else happened. Have you spoken to the police yet?
no subject
Date: 2023-04-19 08:11 pm (UTC)But Ransom had promised her he'd handled it. She believes him. She trusts him in that. She might not trust him with her heart, but she trusts him with everything else. Including Alice now. Her gaze meet his as they have a quiet understanding about what will be done. Alice speaks up for the both of them. ]
No. Doctors thinks I should wait until it's all out of my system.
[ Marta nods in agreement. She reaches out and smooths out her sister's hair. ] You just need to rest.
no subject
Date: 2023-04-19 08:36 pm (UTC)Yeah. Rest up. We'll take care of it. [ Cameron tries his best to smile at Alice again, as Ransom finishes off his popsicle and gives a resounding sigh. He can feel Marta's discomfort and takes it as a cue. ]
You're stressing me out--can't imagine how Alice feels. [ Ransom stands, tossing the popsicle stick into the trash by Alice's bedside. ] It's like--one in the morning. As much as I'd love to keep you company all night, pipsqueak, it's way past all our bedtimes. [ He gives Alice a teasing smile. ] Come on. Let's all get outta her hair.
no subject
Date: 2023-04-20 12:41 pm (UTC)She carefully herds them out of Marta's room and just a little down the hall. She smooths our her designer dress which now has some wrinkles for how she'd been sitting on Alice's bed. She looks at the two men. The man she loves and the man she's chosen. ]
Thank you both for being here tonight. It means a lot to me and Alice.
[ She's trying not to sound awkward and stilted, but this is new ground for her. ]
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Date: 2023-04-22 11:30 pm (UTC)Of course. [ Cameron says, reaching out for Marta's hand. Ransom's hands are folded casually in his pockets. ]
You're welcome. [ Is Ransom's answer, with a bitter bite to his words. There's tension pressing Cameron's lips tight as he sighs and turns to Ransom with an open, resigned expression.]
Thanks, Ransom. Seriously. [ Suspicious curiosity plays in Ransom's gaze as he looks at Cameron, head tipping in question, as if asking him to expand. Cameron does. ] For keeping an eye on Alice and--doing something about it. I know you didn't have to.
[ Ransom snorts, then shakes his head once, reaches out to pat Cameron on the arm. ] You kiddin'? Of course I did something about it. [ His smile spreads intently. ] Anything for Marta. [ The tension that gathers along Cameron's eyes is too satisfying, and Ransom doesn't bother hiding a single ounce of the amusement that sparkles in his. ] It's real nice to be here to help where I can.
Right. [ Ransom can see Cameron do that thing now, where he retreats behind that professional, charming, work-y personality of his--the one Ransom busted through so easily when they met all those years ago. It's ironic to see how often Cameron resorts to it around him now. Cameron's smile is tight-lipped. ] Well you should get some rest, after all you did. I can keep the girls company now. [ There's just the edge of displeasure sneaking on to Ransom's expression as he spares a glance at Marta.
Marta, who stands there in front of them, sincere and beautiful as always. Ransom huffs a quiet laugh. ]
You want to leave now, do you? [ He takes a step toward Cameron, smile icy-cold. Cameron tips his head up. ] At least fucking say it.
no subject
Date: 2023-04-26 01:00 am (UTC)Both of you can go home. I appreciate you two being here tonight, but right now, I want to focus on Alice.
[ She knows this will hurt Cameron. She hates hurting him, but this isn't about him. It isn't about Ransom. She just wants a moment to breathe without both of them swirling in her brain and confusing her. She releases a heavy breath. ]
It's been a long night.
no subject
Date: 2023-04-26 01:28 pm (UTC)So he laughs. A hand finding his chest as he nods. Cameron looks at him, deeply indignant, and Ransom realizes that this is a part of Marta Cameron has never known. How sad. ]
Not such an angel, huh? [ He says, to both of them, to himself, maybe. ] Whatever you want, princess.
[ Cameron’s frown deepens as he turns a questioning to Marta, as if he could share any sort of silent thought with her without Ransom picking up on anything. ]
Ransom, give us a moment, would you? [ It’s a calm, quiet sort of anger, and though Ransom’s no stranger to Cameron putting his steady foot down, he’s genuinely impressed at having the sentiment expressed towards him. There’s a beat as his amusement tempers, before he relents with a snort and a sarcastic tip of his head. ]
Good luck in paradise. [ And he turns on his heels and breezes down the hallway.
Cameron lets out the tense breath he’s been holding, then looks at Marta. ]
Let me keep you company.
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