Page 36 of I Loved You First

eleven

Fiona stepped out of the florist shop, pleased that another task for the Bennet party was officially taken care of. All in all, preparations for the last-minute event were off to a great start. Over the last three days, she’d been in and out of meetings with various potential vendors, and to her delight, all but thirty-eight guests had RSVP’d, which made planning easier.

A menu and scattered seating plan had been officialized at the country club, a cake plus two dozen certified gluten-free cupcakes had been ordered at Ellie’s bakery of choice, and a photographer had been booked just this morning. Locking up a deejay was proving to be a bit of an issue with the wedding season well underway, but there were several hours left to the day.

Heading toward the Bennet & Sons office three buildings down the block, she waved when Cam pulled up in his newly logoed truck.

He waved back as he got out, wearing construction boots, blue jeans, and a black golf shirt that enhanced the blond streaks waking up in his light-brown hair. “What are you up to?” he called as the sun blazed brightly in the bold blue skies.

She walked his way, wearing a pale-pink sundress and sandals, having chosen a more dressed-up look for a day at work. Technically, she was on vacation, and she was handling the Bennets’ event at no charge, but it had felt good to put on a little makeup and lock into her professional vibe. “I just finished up a meeting. I met with Shelby to get the flowers squared away for Grandpa’s party.”

“Nice.” He slid his aviators into his hair. “I know my mom’s super relieved that you took that off her hands.”

“I’m having fun.” Her brow furrowed as she stopped in front of him.

“What?”

She touched her finger just above his left pec. “You have something on your shirt.”

Pulling at his top to take a look, he sighed. “And that looks like toothpaste drool. I’m not sure if it’s mine or Brady’s.”

She laughed.

Licking his finger, he wiped at it. “I love having progress meetings with clients when I have slobber on my clothes.”

She chuckled, finding him irresistible. “You’ll probably need a little water to get that off.”

He glanced at his watch. “I’ll just go home and change. What are you up to now that your meeting’s over?”

“I was about to put my order sheets in the office, but mostly, I’m waiting on my mom. The doctor finally cleared her to get back to summer stock yesterday afternoon. She wasn’t missing her morning meetings with her crew for anything.”

“Her set designs are pretty legendary.”

Fiona nodded. “That’s true. But this whole one-car thing reminds me a little too much of high school.”

“Do you want a ride?”

She smiled as she nodded again. “That would be great.”

“If you have some time, I can take you out to the house and show you around—give you a tour.” He glanced at his watch again. “Brady’s playing at Owen’s for a couple more hours.”

She debated whether it was a good idea to be alone with Cam for longer than the quick drive home. But she lifted her chin, determined to prove to herself and everyone else that they could be just friends. “I’d love to.”

“Great. Hop in.”

Sitting in the passenger seat, she buckled up as Cam turned over the engine. She raised her brow when “She Looks So Perfect” by 5 Seconds of Summer played through the speakers.

Pulling his aviators back in place, Cam paused as he reached for his seat belt. “What’s up?”

“The music. It’s not your usual style.”

He grinned as he buckled up. “Brady’s friend Davis has an older sister. Amelia’s nine and supercool.”

Fiona laughed when Cam perfectly imitated his son as he said supercool.

“This is the stuff Amelia listens to, so this is the stuff we listen to—Taylor Swift, The Jonas Brothers, some of Miley’s earlier music, etcetera, etcetera.”

“Okay, then.”