Page 29 of Love On Time

He’s wearing a tight white shirt that hugs his arms and chest just right. And that stupid backward hat that makes my knees turn to jello. He looks so good it hurts.

Seconds later, the group of old high school friends walk into the bar, engaging in laughter, pulling me back into the present.

“Line 'em up!” Cooper yells to the bartender, ordering another round of shots for the table.

Two shots of tequila in an hour? This is going to turn bad very quickly if I'm not careful.

Just as the fresh glasses reach our table, the announcer’s voice booms over the microphone. “Up next, we have a special bridal duet! Give it up for Ivy and Camille Benson!”

My head snaps toward Ivy. She instantly bursts out laughing.

“No, no, no!” I shake my head furiously, a sudden wave of hot embarrassment creeping up my neck. This is my nightmare, stage fright mixed with a large crowd will result in me emptying the contents of my stomach all over the stage.

“Oh, come on, Cami.” Cooper teases, shoving a glass into my hand. “Toss that shot back and get your butt up there!”

Needing the liquid courage, I do exactly that and toss the tequila back in one swift motion. I swallow hard, praying the alcohol kicks in fast enough to numb my crippling anxiety. Ivy reaches her hand out across the table, her eyes sparkling.

“Ivy,” I whine, letting her drag me into the sea of people.

“Cam, trust me. Just have fun,” she says, leaning close as we head toward the steps. “Confidence is sexy, so go up there and just let go.”

Her words hit me like a splash of cold water. She’s right though, this is exactly what I came here to do. I need to put myself out there. I need to stop hiding.

“What if I don't even know the song?” I cry out as we reach the stage stairs.

Ivy climbs the first step, throwing a wicked grin over her shoulder. “Trust me, you know the song.”

The entire group makes their way to the front of the stage, and my heart drops to my stomach. A wave of nausea rises, and my nerves start to overwhelm me as I stare out at the sea of faces. Sensing my panic, Ivy leans in and whispers in my ear, “Just look at me, okay?” I give her a slow nod. She turns and gives the DJ a confident nod to start the track. The speakers rumble, and the loud, upbeat tune of ABBA’s Dancing Queen begins to play.

I stifle a laugh, shaking my head. Only Ivy would choose this song. She flashes me a wide, encouraging smile, and I can't help but smile back. And then, I just do it. I open my mouth and belt out the lyrics right alongside my best friend—the girl who came into my life and changed it for the better. The bar goes wild, cheering and whistling as the energy in the room shifts.

“That's my girl!” Cooper yells from the front row.

“Go, Cami!” The bridesmaids scream in unison, sending a wave of confidence straight through me.

Ivy and I lock hands, facing each other and swaying to the beat as we pour everything we have into the lyrics. Feeling a sudden surge of boldness, I nervously sneak a glance out past the stage lights. My eyes find Drew. He’s standing right there, his fingers lightly resting against his lips, with the biggest, most captivated grin on his face. He isn't looking at anyone else. As the final chorus of the song rings through the speakers, Ivy suddenly kneels in front of me, holding her hands up for me to grab so she can twirl me around her. She is intentionally giving me all the attention for the big finale. It is the most selfless, beautiful thing she could do at her own bachelorette party.

The song strikes its final note, and the entire bar erupts into applause. Ivy jumps up, throwing her arms around me as we laugh and take a bow together.

“You guys killed it!” Cooper buzzes, and we all stumble out of the karaoke bar to make our way to the next destination.

I’m on a total high, feeling proud of myself for doing something so far out of my comfort zone. I can't seem to take the smile off my face. My mood has completely transformed.

We hand our IDs to the bouncer outside a packed, exclusive nightclub, the muffled hum of loud music and the glow of flashing strobe lights greeting us every time the door swings open. Once we make it past security, our group heads straight for the bar. Desperate for water, I down a full glass before ordering a margarita on the rocks. I finish it in a few thirsty swallows. Before I can even set my glass down, a bunch of the bridesmaids pull me out onto the crowded dance floor with them.

The alcohol is buzzing through my veins now, making me feel wonderfully light, my mind emptier than it has been all week. My only goal is to have fun and dance with these girls. I’m swaying my hips, running my hands through my hair, feeling out of control in the best way possible. We all drop it low, our movements guided entirely by the pounding bass.

Sudden heat presses up against my back. A solid body slides into my space, wrapping two hands around my waist and effortlessly matching the movement of my swaying hips. I turn my head slightly over my shoulder, finding Christian dancing into me. His eyes are dark and wanting.

“I was expecting our first dance to be at the reception,” he says, lowering his head to whisper in my ear. “But this is so much more fun.”

“Well, lucky you,” I say. I lean my head back against his chest, the alcohol making me feel as if I'm floating. Feeling wanted sends sparks racing through my whole body. Christian slides his hands down the lengths of my bare arms, guiding my waist till I’m pressed flush against him. But the contact doesn’t do what it’s supposed to do. Feeling his body harden beneath mine, a sudden wave of tension locks up my muscles. His touch causes a twisting knot of nausea to roll straight through my stomach. I feel like I'm going to be sick. Realizing I don't want this, I turn smoothly to face him, stepping out of his hold and creating distance between us. I keep swaying to the music, but now I’m dancing for myself, and only myself.

My eyes instinctively fall to the bar, as if my mind knew where to find him. He’s leaning against the counter, watching me with a dark, burning stare. Anger and desire radiate off of him, sending a shiver down my spine. I purposely turn my body at an angle toward him. A sudden thrill jolts through my chest. I let my hips sway to the bass of what feels like the sexiest song I’ve ever heard. I keep my eyes locked on his as if I'm giving him a private show. For a moment, the crowded dance floor disappears around me, leaving what feels like only the two of us in the room. He hasn't taken his eyes off of me as he carefully scans every inch of my body.

A slow, knowing smile lights up Drew's face, his throat bobbing as he wets his lips. He knows exactly what I’m doing, and I know exactly what he’s thinking. I flash him a small, challenging smile back, a rush of euphoria exploding through my veins.

It’s 1:00 AM by the time we leave the club. Drew has a steadying grip on my arm so I don't collapse on the sidewalk as we walk out into the cool night air. Ivy and Cooper had disappeared sometime during our final hour at the club, and the bridesmaids had already caught an Uber back to the estate. Christian and Alex stroll out the double doors, laughing.