Page 68 of It Started at the Lake

CHAPTER 31

Camille

“Red or blue?” Evie asks me, holding up a red dress and a blue-and-white striped shirt in her walk-in closet.

She dragged me in here after breakfast. I’m not complaining. We haven’t seen one

another much since I started working for Becca and Bennett and I have been spending time together. She has Eric as well. Our summer together is turning more into what it would be like if we were still at home. Occasional run-ins.

“Is this for tonight?” We’re going boating today. Shouldn’t we be discussing which swimsuits to wear? Her lovely Eric is coming, and she’s talked non-stop about her family being kind to him. Eric’s been around us enough times now, I’m not sure why she’s nervous.

“Yes, for when we eat dinner and watch fireworks.”

“Red dress. You’re stunning in it. Eric won’t be able to keep his eyes off of you.”

She twirls, the skirt of the red dress flaring out as she does so. “You’re right. This is the best option. What about you? Will you be wearing something my cousin won’t be able to resist?” Her brows wiggle. “Maybe he’ll finally kiss you!”

Turns out, Evie and Becca are thrilled about Bennett and me. They both cried and hugged us for a solid five minutes at dinner last night. Guilt gnawed at my stomach. I ended up pushing my food around my plate the entire meal. The weight of our lie, and how devastated Evs and Becca will be when we break up, weighs on me like I’m carrying a beam across my back.

I swat her butt. “I’m enjoying my time getting to know Bennett. I’m in no hurry for us to kiss.” Lies, lies, lies. There will be no kissing—ever, though I’d like us to.

“But Bennett isn’t like the guys you usually go out with. And he’s head over heels for you.”

No, he’s in love with Jen.

Evie opens her bottom dresser drawer, shuffling through her swimsuits. She holds up a black one-piece. I shake my head and she keeps digging.

“He isn’t head over heels for me.” I roll my eyes at her.

“This?” Evie holds up a maroon and green leaf-printed high-waist bikini bottom with a matching solid maroon top.

I nod. “It’s so cute! Yes, wear that one.”

That bikini most likely cost more than I spend on food in a semester, but it’s super cute and will flatter Evie’s figure. Mentally, I sort through my clean options. A leopard print sports bra top with solid black bottoms I bought online for twenty bucks, or a black-and-white striped, one shoulder bikini.

I remember liking the way I looked and felt when I tried the suits on, but as always, comparing anything I own to Evie’s designer clothes makes me feel inadequate. I brush the insecurity away. Today is about celebrating America’s independence, not my issues.

Droplets of water trickle down my skin as I walk up the dock toward the back of the house. We had a blast skiing, wakeboarding, and tubing. I’m ready for a shower and air conditioning for a few hours before we spend the evening outside.

Bennett comes up beside me, placing his hand on the small of my back. His skin touching mine sends a jet spray of heat throughout my body. But I know he’s only doing it for the sake of his family behind us.

“I enjoyed watching you today. I wouldn’t have known you’d never water skied before. You killed it.”

I smile at him. “Thanks. It was fun and I’m glad I checked off another first on my summer bucket list. But I like tubing the most.”

He snorts. “When you weren’t trying to kill us, it was fun.”

I did no such thing. “What are you talking about?”

“You kept telling Cam to go faster. The last time we hit a wave and went flying in the air, I thought for sure we’d crash into one another and drown.”

“As you can see, we’re perfectly fine, old man. There’s nothing to worry about.”

Bennett chuckles. “You’re keeping me young, that’s for sure.”

“Good. I intend to for the rest of your life.”

I take two steps, my side suddenly feeling cold. Turning over my shoulder, I look at Bennett who stopped walking and is staring at me with raised brows, lines creasing across his forehead.

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