Page 75 of It Started at the Lake

“But happy?” I’m emotionally exhausted as well, but I hope he feels some excitement about making a decision and the possibility of what our future holds.

“Yeah, Mils. I’m happy.”

Relief loosens the tightness in my limbs. Phew.

Here’s to dating Bennett Williams for real.

CHAPTER 34

Camille

“Does your family usually sit this far apart from one another?” I ask Bennett. He’s spreading a blanket on the grass, fifty feet away from everyone else. The fireworks are about to start and I’ve got my Fourth of July song list playing softly on my phone.

“After dinner and games together, it’s best we all get a little space.”

Bennett pats the spot next to him. I join him on the ground, lying on my back, staring at the stars.

“I can’t decide if you’re telling the truth or not. Emerson and Henry totally lost it while playing tennis with you. Are you sure it’s not for your own safety we’re this far away?”

“It has nothing to do with my brothers.” Bennett finds my hand, taking it in his. “I wanted you to myself.”

“Jeez, Mr. McGreedy Pants. Is this how it’s going to be moving forward?”

“Not all the time. But sometimes, yeah.”

My chest fills with lightness. Being wanted is foreign, addicting, and lovely. “I accept, only if I’m allowed to behave the same way.”

He squeezes my palm. “Out of fairness, I’ll agree.”

The first firework of the night booms in a bright red burst above us. “Look!” I point at the sky. “There’s something so magical and patriotic about watching fireworks on July fourth.”

“Where did you go to see them growing up?”

I’m immediately taken back to when I was ten. “At the end of the street in our neighborhood, we had the perfect view of the city park. Our neighbors hosted a barbecue for everyone, then the kids would run around playing tag, riding bikes, and lighting sparklers. One year, a new family moved in with a girl my age. I had the best time hanging out with her that night. She welcomed my sister and let her play with us without complaining about a little kid tagging along. I ate so much watermelon, I had stomach issues the next day. But it was worth it.” I smile as I remember doing a hula-hoop competition and winning a popsicle from Mrs. Snyder.

Once the Donaldsons moved away, the new family didn’t want to host the annual Samuel Drive party. The Fourth of July was never the same after that.

“That sounds like a lot of fun. Is watermelon your favorite fruit?”

“No, but I really like it. I’d say top ten for sure.”

The boom of the fireworks vibrates my bones. This moment is perfect. With the sun set, the temperature is not hot, but also not cold. Bennett is by my side. The fireworks are beautiful. My phone is playing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.” And I finally have a real boyfriend. One who isn’t anything like the idiots I dated before. This holiday couldn’t get any better.

“Bennett?”

“Yeah?”

“What do you want your future Independence Day celebrations to look like?”

Bennett rubs his thumb on the back of my hand. The small and simple gesture sends a ripple of flutters through my stomach.

“The same as tonight, except with my kids and nieces and nephews running around too. How about you?”

It’s easy to picture little ones with Bennett’s blond hair and blue eyes running around with sticky fingers, swimming in the pool and playing with sparklers. The doggy pile of bodies on a blanket to watch the fireworks, and complaints that someone is touching someone else, or breathing on them, makes hope bloom in my chest. I want that too.

“I like your version.”

“You wouldn’t mind spending every summer here?”

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