Page 19 of Love On Time

“Yeah, I'll be there.”

“What about you, Camille? Do you plan on coming?” Grace asks sweetly.

“I doubt it.” Hannah quietly chuckles.

“Yes, I plan on being there.” I give a confident smile, not letting silly side comments get to me.

“Oh yeah, Camille Benson is finally coming out to party! This will be fun.” Christian teases loudly.

The girls let out a collective giggle, and I start to feel the heat rising on the back of my neck. Alex nudges Christian in the ribs, giving him a silent warning to cool it.

“Enjoy the rest of your evening, guys,” I say, perfectly unbothered. “I’ll see you all tomorrow!”

I turn away, desperately needing to find a quiet place to catch my breath.

“Cami?” Drew’s voice calls from behind. I stop and turn around, my chest rising and falling as I try to catch my breath.

“Can I show you something?”

I nod slowly, following him down the steps of the upper deck, leaving the noisy party in full swing behind us. We walk a short distance, taking a winding path toward the lake. That's when I see it: a huge lavender garden, overflowing with bright lilac-colored stems. The aroma is incredibly sweet and relaxing. I take a long breath and exhale slowly, feeling my body release all the anxiety that's been strumming in my veins.

“Thank you” is all I say.

“You're welcome, I figured you were ready to find a calming place to take a minute.” He says gently, “Want me to leave you to it?”

“No.” I reach out, my fingers wrapping tightly around his wrist. Drew's eyes fall to the point of contact. “Stay… please.”

“Of course.” He whispers.

We find a secluded wooden bench tucked away in the middle of the garden, and I'm thankful for Drew’s ability to sit comfortably in silence with me.

“I can't believe Cooper is getting married,” I say, starting up a conversation.

“I guess he was right from the very beginning,” Drew says, a smile breaking across his face at the memory. “The same day he saw Ivy moving onto our street, he told me he was going to marry her.”

A genuine smile crosses my face. “They really are soulmates.”

“When you know, you know.” He adds, “I’m just glad he ended up with someone like Ivy.”

“I agree, imagine if he somehow ended up with Emily.” I laugh, shaking my head.

He scoffs, “I would have stood up and objected at the altar.”

We look at each other, a shared, knowing smile passing between us. “You and me both,” I laugh, the last of my tension completely evaporating into the sweet lavender air.

We finally make our way back up the wooden steps, leaving the secret sanctuary of the lavender garden behind us. On the deck, the party is winding down, and everyone is currently scrambling to crowd into a massive huddle for a group picture.

“Drew! Cami! Come on, get in here!” Cooper shouts over the noise, waving us over to the center of the frame.

We slide into the cluster of wedding guests and find a spot near the edge. Just as the photographer calls for everyone to look at the lens, I feel Drew’s hand graze down my bare forearm. A trail of goosebumps breaks out in its wake. His palm settles securely around my waist, pulling me backward against his chest for the photo. Without a second thought, I scoot even closer to him, molding my back to his frame, fully embracing his touch. Christian had held me earlier, but as the camera flashes, a quiet truth settles deep in my chest. Drew's are the only hands I want around my waist today.

CHAPTER 8

Drew

7 YEARS AGO

The spring air is just starting to lose its bite as Cooper and I push through the final stretch of our two-mile run. The evening sun is starting to dip below the horizon by the time we make it back to Cooper’s porch. My lungs are burning as I catch my breath, and I grab the hem of my shirt clinging to my body and wipe the sweat that's dripping down my forehead. We do this run every Saturday evening, and it’s tiring. But it’s a good kind of tiring—the kind that keeps my brain from overthinking. My mom is struggling again. I found a late water bill in the trash this morning. She’s been working late hours plus overtime to make ends meet. I hardly get to see her, but when I do, she always has a smile on her face and never lets the stress show. I wish there was more I could do for her right now.