Page 32 of Love On Time

Cami

I’m already at work, I’m running a LEGO competition this morning lol

A grin spreads across my face as I stare down at the screen. Only Cami would be spending her sixteenth birthday at the library, coordinating a LEGO tournament for a room full of little kids. She is the coolest girl I know.

Drew

A LEGO competition? That’s pretty badass!

Cami

Oh yeah, the kids get really into it!

Drew

Do I get to see you later?

Cami

You're not coming over to Cooper’s party tonight?

Drew

Party? What party? Your mom strictly said no to a party lol

Cami

He said a party of 10?

You’ve got to be kidding me. Of course Cooper found a loophole in the ten-person rule. But it’s not about him, today should be about his sister.

Drew

Roof after?

Cami

Deal :)

Ivy meets Cooper and me in his kitchen, carrying a plastic grocery bag full of ingredients to make a birthday cake. She takes the lead, prepping the bowls for the cake batter while I step in to make the chocolate frosting from scratch.

“Cooper, will you preheat the oven to 350?” Ivy asks, while mixing the ingredients into the bowl.

Doing exactly as she asked, he walks over to the appliance and starts pressing the buttons. The second the oven beeps, he creeps up right behind her, leaning down dangerously close to her ear. “Anything else?” he whispers.

I immediately look away, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable sharing this tight kitchen space as they flirt openly with each other.

“Yeah, can you taste this?” She turns, a dollop of milk chocolate cake batter dripping from her index finger.

Cooper doesn't hesitate. He grabs her wrist, bringing her hand level with his mouth, and slides her finger deep between his lips to lick it clean.

I stop stirring the frosting. “Uh… do you guys need a minute?” I chuckle awkwardly, raising an eyebrow.

Ivy snaps around to look at me, her face bright red as she picks up the whisk and continues mixing the batter. “No! Of course not,” she squeaks, clearing her throat. “Let's… let’s finish this cake.”

Cooper slowly licks his lips, smirking. “Delicious, Ivy.”

Cami is home, and the four of us gather closely around the kitchen island, singing Happy Birthday to her. A flickering candle illuminates the pink number 16 written in icing on the cake.