Page 25 of Love On Time

“Who’s at the door if you're in here? She asks, with her brows creasing in confusion.

“That would be Ivy, the new neighbor!” I say, crossing my arms. “Your brother's new crush.”

She chuckles, rolling her eyes. “Of course it is.” Before we have the chance to say anything else, Ivy and Cooper join us in the kitchen.

“Hey! You must be Cami!” She says sweetly and pulls her into a hug without hesitation. “I’m Ivy.”

Cami goes still for a second, caught off guard, before relaxing into the hug.

“You're coming with us to the bonfire tonight, right?’ Ivy asks.

Cami stutters, “Uh... no, I don't think so.”

“What, why not?” Ivy’s smile falters. “I could really use a girlfriend with me tonight. Please come!”

“It’s okay if she comes, right, Cooper?” She looks over at my best friend with pleading eyes.

Cooper is visibly hesitant, but desperately wants to impress Ivy. “Yeah, Cam. You can come with us.”

Ivy shrieks with excitement. “Yay! Come on, Cami, I'll help you get ready.” Before Cami can even protest, Ivy grabs her by the arm, gently steering her out of the kitchen and prompting her to lead the way to her bedroom.

I watch them disappear up the stairs, a soft smile tugging at my lips. This is exactly the type of girl Cami needs in her life. It looks like Ivy is going to be the perfect fit for all of us.

I pop open my trunk, pulling out four camping chairs to haul down to the beach. In the distance, you can see the flicker of the bonfire and the loud, echoing laughter of teenagers sitting around the flames under the night sky. The air is cool and breezy, carrying the scent of sand and the salty ocean air.

Cooper and Ivy are already in the sand, standing close together, sharing a quiet conversation. Cami is standing a few paces to the side with her arms tightly crossed, looking nervous and maybe a tad cold.

“Want a blanket?” I ask, finding her eyes as I pull out a fleece throw.

“Yes, please.” She whispers, gratefully taking the blanket from my hands.

We all make our way down to the beach where the party is in full swing. The crowd lets out a loud cheer when we finally make it to the fire. I start unfolding our chairs and setting them down in the sand while Cooper introduces Ivy to everyone in our class.

Before long, the night is a blur of music and laughter. Some of the kids spark up the games Never Have I Ever and Truth or Dare near the water's edge. Cooper got lucky securing a kiss on the cheek from Ivy, and they really seem to be hitting it off. Cami, however, has been in her own little world. She’s curled up tightly in the low camping chair, the fleece blanket wrapped around her shoulders as she reads a book by the glow of the flames. With both Cooper and me hovering nearby, everyone in our circle knows that teasing her is absolutely off limits. I stay close to the fire to make sure she feels safe, taking a sip of my drink, my eyes drift back to her face, her glasses reflect the dancing firelight. She looks insanely cute.

The crowd eventually trickles down until there are only a few of us left around the dying embers. I check the time on my phone; it's 11:15 PM. I figure I'd better go down and warn Cooper that it’s time to get Ivy home. They are still down by the shoreline, sitting side by side in the sand, talking quietly. They haven’t left each other’s side all night.

“Hey guys,” I say, walking up behind them. “It’s time for us to head out.”

“Thanks, Drew, we will be right there,” Cooper says with a smile on his lips.

I walk back up to the bonfire to find everyone has already packed up and left, leaving Cami alone. Curled up in the lawn chair, fast asleep, her book has fallen into the sand. I start folding up the remaining chairs, briefly looking up to watch her sleep. The sight of her resting so peacefully tugs at something deep in my chest. Cooper and Ivy trek up the small hill, back to the fire.

“Here, I'll take those to your car, Drew.” Cooper offers, grabbing the chairs from my arms and starting to head to the parking lot.

Ivy walks up beside me, giving my shoulder a playful nudge. “Go wake up Sleeping Beauty over there.” She grins, nodding toward Cami.

“What?” I laugh nervously, hoping the glow of the fire is hiding the flush in my skin.

“Please. I’ve been watching you stare at the girl all night.”

“She’s Cooper's sister,” I whisper, keeping my voice low.

“And?” She says, crossing her arms over her chest.

“And she’s fifteen,” I say, looking over my shoulder to make sure Cooper is still out of earshot.

“You're seventeen, not forty.” She giggles.