Page 2 of Love On Time

I pull out my makeup bag and put on a light layer of mascara and lip gloss, and carefully brush my fingers through my soft brown hair. I'm preparing myself now, just in case I run into anyone from high school the second I step off this plane. Knowing me, that would absolutely be my luck. I don’t want to be known as Cooper’s nerdy little sister anymore, I’m ready to show people that I am just Camille Benson.

I quickly exit the plane, grab my suitcase from the baggage carousel, and head to the Enterprise garage to pick up my rental car.

“I can help whoever's next!” A woman with a nametag that reads Carol shouts from behind the desk.

“Hi, I have a reservation for Camille Benson,” I say, offering a polite smile. Carol starts tapping away on her keyboard, her brows creasing.

“I'm sorry, we don't have a reservation under that name. Could it be under a different name?” She looks up through her black spectacles.

“Yeah, uh, my mom made the reservation. Can you check under Danielle or Ian Benson?” My voice cracks with anxious anticipation.

Carol eyes me, adjusting her glasses. “I do see Danielle and Ian Benson here, but they checked out their rental yesterday morning. And there is no other reservation on their account.”

“There must be a mistake.” I start to feel my heart thumping against my ribs. “Is there a car available for me to take without a reservation?”

“Sorry, sweetie, unfortunately, all our vehicles are completely booked.” Her voice drops into that fake, sympathetic customer service tone. I drop my head into my hands in absolute defeat.

“Thank you,” I say as I'm about to leave.

“Excuse me.” A deep male voice interjects from behind me. My eyes go wide. My whole body freezes, knowing exactly whose voice that belongs to. You’ve got to be kidding me.

“Carol, can you add her to my reservation? I have a feeling we are going to the same place.” A broad, strong arm reaches from behind me, placing a photo ID on the counter.

The scent of smoky vanilla and a hint of musk hits my senses, making my chest tighten. My eyes trace the line of his arm, moving up and up until I'm forced to look at him. His piercing hazel eyes stare back at me, the air instantly stolen from my lungs. I swallow hard, utterly at a loss for words.

“Cami,” he whispers. The corner of his lip tilts up into a familiar smile.

Drew

I stand off to the side while he gets the keys to his rental car, trying to bring my breathing into a steady rhythm. Anxiety clawing its way up my throat. I knew it was only a matter of time until I had to see him, but seriously? The airport terminal? Not what I was expecting. At all.

“Ready?” He walks over to me, jingling the keys in his hands.

“I can just order an Uber,” I say nervously, pushing down the urge to look him in the eyes. “You really don't have to drive me.”

“Camille, we are going to the exact same place.” He lets out a low chuckle, reaching past me and easily grabbing the handles of both of our bags. His hand brushes against mine for a split second, sending a jolt straight up my arm. I pull my hand away quickly. “I'm not letting you pay for an Uber. That's silly!”

I take a deep, slow breath, accepting my second defeat of the day, and follow Drew out to the dim light of the parking garage.

CHAPTER 2

Camille

Chirp, chirp. The headlights flash as Drew unlocks the car. I stop dead in my tracks.

“You rented a convertible?” I ask, my jaw falling open.

Drew flashes a wide grin. “Not just any convertible, Cami. A Mercedes.”

He pops open the trunk and lifts our luggage inside. The muscles in his forearms flex against the heavy weight of my overpacked suitcase. My eyes widen, desperately trying to force my stare anywhere but the veins flexing through his skin.

“And why a Mercedes?” I ask, clearing my throat, trying to remember exactly what we were just talking about.

He walks over to the passenger side and holds the door open for me. My pulse skips a beat at the unexpected but familiar gesture.

“Thank you,” I whisper as I slip into the tan leather seat and pull the seatbelt across my chest. Drew slides into the driver's seat and puts the key in the ignition, the V8 motor roaring to life.

“It’s my best friend’s wedding in a gorgeous destination,” he says, pulling out of the rental garage. “The sun is shining, the air is warm and fresh. Why not do it right?”