Page 3 of Love On Time

“Sounds like something straight out of your travel blog,” I say with a smirk. The second the words leave my mouth, regret pools in my stomach. Shit. I just admitted to keeping tabs on his life online. I swallow hard, trying to find something interesting to look at out my window.

Drew looks over at me, beaming, one hand on the steering wheel and the other over his heart. “You read my blog?”

“Well, we do have copies of the travel magazine that feature your photos and articles at my library,” I say, swallowing the lump in my throat.

“How is the job, by the way?” he asks, his tone softening. “You always did have your nose buried in a book when we were kids.”

“I love it,” I say, the affection for my work overtaking the embarrassment I feel. “I’ve been at the local branch for a year now. I handle most of the event coordinating and the kids' summer reading camps.”

I finally look right at him, really taking him in. He’s different. More mature. His features have sharpened, framed by a well-groomed beard, and his brown hair has grown out just enough to curl under the brim of his hat. He still has those mesmerizing hazel-green eyes. He’s strongly built, but the bulky football frame from high school is gone. He is the kind of muscle that is more sculpted, simply crafted from traveling and his outdoor excursions. He’s even more striking now than he is in my memory.

Heat rolls up my neck, forcing me to break the stare.

“That’s really amazing, Camille,” Drew says, a warm smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “I’m glad you’re doing something you love.”

I give him a small appreciative nod and slide my sunglasses on. I rest my head against the seat and let out a deep breath—a sense of calm drifts between us, easy and unforced. The wind carries the scent of the fresh lake air, whipping my hair back behind my shoulders as the scenery rolls past. My mom wasn't exaggerating, this place really is breathtaking. Drew reaches over to turn on the radio. The music blends with the hum of the engine as we navigate the winding roads toward the Estate.

We pull up to the entrance of a massive, sprawling waterfront estate. Before Drew can cut the engine, my parents burst through the front doors, with Cooper and Ivy trailing closely behind them like a welcoming committee.

“You made it!” Mom cries, swooping in to wrap me in a tight hug.

My dad steps up, squinting at the shiny black hood of the car. He scratches his head. “Huh. That doesn't exactly look like the sedan we arranged for you.”

I drop my hands to my hips, aiming a death glare at the two of them. “You didn't get me a rental car at all. There was no reservation!”

“Oh, goodness. Well, isn't that just bizarre!” Mom says, her voice a little too high-pitched. She completely ignores my irritation and throws her arms around Drew instead. “Thank goodness Drew was there to rescue you!” I roll my eyes in annoyance.

“Yeah, an absolute twist of fate.” Ivy chimes in. The mischievous smirk on her face gives me a strong sense that she and my mom are up to something.

“Alright, come on, let's show you guys to your rooms.” My brother interjects, pulling me into a hug before grabbing my suitcase.

I narrow my eyes, looking between my soon-to-be sister-in-law and my mother. This is going to be a long week.

I’m hanging the last of my clothes in the closet when a knock rasps at my door. Before I can answer, Ivy comes bolting in and flops directly onto my perfectly made bed. I can’t help but smile as I close the door behind her. Ivy has always been a literal ray of sunshine.

She and Cooper met the summer before their senior year of high school when her family relocated from Michigan to California, and my brother has been smitten since day one. They even went to UCLA together, where they moved into an apartment and finished school. Now, she works as a Pediatric Physician Assistant, which makes perfect sense, because she truly has a heart of gold. Out of all the girls Cooper ever dated, Ivy was the only one who genuinely wanted to be my friend. Now that I have her as a sister, I couldn't be more thrilled.

“So tell me everything. How was your drive here?” She smiles, hands placed under her chin.

“You didn't plan that, did you?” I say, giving her my most serious, non–serious look.

“Plan what?” She laughs, totally unconvincing.

I roll my eyes. “It was fine, we didn't really talk much. With the top down, it was hard to carry on a conversation over the wind.” I pull out my dress for tonight’s welcome cocktail hour, shaking out the wrinkles before setting it on the ironing board.

“Holy shit, are you wearing that tonight?” Ivy says, eyes widening at the dress in front of me.

“Yeah, Why? Are you wearing black? I can pick something else!” I say nervously, the bridesmaid panic settling in.

“Are you kidding? That dress is hot. You are absolutely wearing it,” she says, sliding off the bed to get a closer look. “Besides, I'm in all white this weekend.”

She’s right, the dress is incredible. It’s a black midi bodycon with a square neckline, delicate frills on the shoulders, and a sleek cutout at the waist. The moment I saw it online, I knew it was the one. In fact, every dress and outfit I packed for this week is brand new.

“Anyways, I wanted to stop by and check on how you're feeling,” Ivy says, her delicate voice softening. “I know you're going to be seeing a lot of people from the past this week. Some who weren't exactly nice to you.” She reaches out and squeezes my hand. “I just want you to enjoy yourself and not worry about a thing.”

“Thank you, Ivy,” I say, a rush of gratitude washing over me. “I'll be fine, honestly. I'm not worried, and I am not the same girl I used to be.”

“Good,” Ivy beams, a spark returning to her eyes. “Because I bet there are going to be a ton of eligible guys checking you out this weekend!”