Chapter 1: Camille - Love On Time

Six months wasn’t long enough to prepare me to come face to face with six long years of grief and devastation. The moment my brother, Cooper, and his fiancée, Ivy, set their wedding date, I knew the clock had officially started ticking. Now, sitting at my library desk, the beautiful scripted ivory cardstock invitation burns a hole straight through my hand. The edges are already starting to fray from the countless times I've picked it up to read since it arrived in my mailbox six months ago.

* * *

C’mon, Aghhh. I groan, sitting on my suitcase, putting all my weight on it to get the zippers to close. I had to pack a full week's worth of my life into a single suitcase and a carry-on. Zipppp. Yessss! I cheer, wiping the sweat off my brow. I’ll have to figure out how I'm going to reorganize it all for the flight back home, but that's a problem for future Camille. Why is it so hot in here? I need to open a window. The overwhelming sensation of the week ahead is hitting me all at once.

I’m pulling the window latch open when my phone starts ringing in my back pocket. My mom's face lights up the screen.

“Hey mom!”

“Hey, Cam! I just wanted to let you know, your father and I made it to the Lakeshore Estates. It is stunning here, you're going to love it,” She adds. “Are you all packed for your flight tomorrow?”

The wedding week is taking place in Northern Lake Michigan, where Ivy's family is from.

“Glad you guys made it okay, I just finished packing,” I say, wedging the phone between my ear and shoulder so I can start loading chargers into my carry-on bag.

“I wish you would have just flown in today with your father and me," she sighs heavily. “I hate that you're flying alone.”

“I know, Mom, but you know how important work was for me this weekend. The kids needed me.”

Having to leave a day after my parents was the price I paid for the end-of-summer bash. As the city's librarian, I consider it the most important day of my summer. The children are rewarded for meeting their reading goals by receiving dinner gift cards and vouchers for local ice cream shops. Totally worth it.

“I know, sweetheart, those kids are lucky to have you.” I can hear the warmth in her smile on the other end of the line.

“Hey, you made sure I have a reservation for a rental car, right, Mom?” I ask firmly.

“Yeah, honey, you should be good to go!” Her voice sounds distant and distracted. “Well, we just met up with Cooper and Ivy, so I'll let you go. Keep me posted on your flight in the morning.”

“Alright, Mom, I love you. Send my love to Coop and Ivy, please.” Ending the call, I stare at my dark screen. The realization settles in my chest. The wedding is finally here.

* * *

I woke up early this morning, making sure my hair was washed and styled into soft low-maintenance curls. I put on my grey high-waisted comfy shorts, a cropped white baby tee, and laced up my black high-top Converse. My phone chimes with a notification, my Uber has arrived. I grab my luggage and lock up my apartment door behind me.

Once on the plane, I settle into my window seat and pull on my oversized white headphones. I glance out the window. The sun is rising red and pink over LAX. See you later, sunny California. I close the window panel and shut my eyes, practicing my deep breathing as the engine roars to life. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth; repeat.

The captain’s muffled voice coming out of the high-pitched loudspeaker jolts me awake. “This is your captain speaking, please take your seats and prepare for landing in thirty minutes. Thank you for choosing United Airlines, and have safe travels.”

I pull out my makeup bag and put on a light layer of mascara and lip gloss, and carefully brush my fingers through my soft brown hair. I'm preparing myself now, just in case I run into anyone from high school the second I step off this plane. Knowing me, that would absolutely be my luck. I don’t want to be known as Cooper’s nerdy little sister anymore, I’m ready to show people that I am just Camille Benson.

I quickly exit the plane, grab my suitcase from the baggage carousel, and head to the Enterprise garage to pick up my rental car.

“I can help whoever's next!” A woman with a nametag that reads Carol shouts from behind the desk.

“Hi, I have a reservation for Camille Benson,” I say, offering a polite smile. Carol starts tapping away on her keyboard, her brows creasing.

“I'm sorry, we don't have a reservation under that name. Could it be under a different name?” She looks up through her black spectacles.

“Yeah, uh, my mom made the reservation. Can you check under Danielle or Ian Benson?” My voice cracks with anxious anticipation.

Carol eyes me, adjusting her glasses. “I do see Danielle and Ian Benson here, but they checked out their rental yesterday morning. And there is no other reservation on their account.”

“There must be a mistake.” I start to feel my heart thumping against my ribs. “Is there a car available for me to take without a reservation?”

“Sorry, sweetie, unfortunately, all our vehicles are completely booked.” Her voice drops into that fake, sympathetic customer service tone. I drop my head into my hands in absolute defeat.

“Thank you,” I say as I'm about to leave.

“Excuse me.” A deep male voice interjects from behind me. My eyes go wide. My whole body freezes, knowing exactly whose voice that belongs to. You’ve got to be kidding me.

“Carol, can you add her to my reservation? I have a feeling we are going to the same place.” A broad, strong arm reaches from behind me, placing a photo ID on the counter.

The scent of smoky vanilla and a hint of musk hits my senses, making my chest tighten. My eyes trace the line of his arm, moving up and up until I'm forced to look at him. His piercing hazel eyes stare back at me, the air instantly stolen from my lungs. I swallow hard, utterly at a loss for words.

“Cami,” he whispers. The corner of his lip tilts up into a familiar smile.

Drew

I stand off to the side while he gets the keys to his rental car, trying to bring my breathing into a steady rhythm. Anxiety clawing its way up my throat. I knew it was only a matter of time until I had to see him, but seriously? The airport terminal? Not what I was expecting. At all.

“Ready?” He walks over to me, jingling the keys in his hands.

“I can just order an Uber,” I say nervously, pushing down the urge to look him in the eyes. “You really don't have to drive me.”

“Camille, we are going to the exact same place.” He lets out a low chuckle, reaching past me and easily grabbing the handles of both of our bags. His hand brushes against mine for a split second, sending a jolt straight up my arm. I pull my hand away quickly. “I'm not letting you pay for an Uber. That's silly!”

I take a deep, slow breath, accepting my second defeat of the day, and follow Drew out to the dim light of the parking garage.