~James~
Melanie slowly pulls into the gravel driveway packed with cars, some even parked on the grass next to the driveway. I try to look through the thicket of trees hiding the lake and cabin from view. Melanie parks as I unbuckle and hop out, heading to the trunk for my duffel. Melanie grabs her duffel and sleeping bag from the back seat. I didn't bring a sleeping bag, I realize. Great. The hot and humid air trapped under the thick canopy of trees surrounding us sticks to my skin.
"Ready?" she asks me.
I nod as I readjust the strap of my heavy duffel bag on my shoulder. I let her lead the trek up the gravel driveway as the trees begin to pan out and the lake and cabin come into view. Trees and shrubbery bookend the sliver of the lake that reaches up to the dark wooden one-story cabin. A large white canopy tent is set up in front of the cabin, with picnic tables underneath.
Most of everyone is socializing under the tent, while I see some of the kids hanging out on the dock to the far left and Mr. Hansen with another man grilling food on the far right near the detached garage. We reach the grill first.
"Dad!"
"Melliebean!" Mr. Hansen places the metal spatula down on the white serving tray, then embraces Melanie.
He kisses the top of her head before they pull away. His short dark brown hair loosely falls over his ears instead of in the pulled-back look I've only ever seen. I smile as he turns to me and shakes my hand.
"Good to see you again. Thank you for joining us."
"Of course," I reply.
"Mel!" the man in an NFL Patriots tee shirt says, pulling her into a hug.
"Hi, Mr. Page. How's it going?"
"Pretty good. Now that you're here, we can eat!"
She chuckles, "Let me introduce you to my boyfriend first. This is James. James, this is Mr. Page, Bianca's dad."
Mr. Page puts his hand out, and I shake it. He has some almost-white hair mixed in with his blonde hair and the same hazel eyes as Bianca.
"Nice to meet you, James! Come, put your bags down and join us under the canopy. It's time to eat!"
"Do you have a sleeping bag, James?" Mr. Hansen asks.
"No, I don't, and Melanie forgot to mention it to me." I glare at Melanie.
She shrugs her shoulders with a slight smile, "Sorry."
"That's no problem at all. We have extra blankets and pillows to spare. I'm sure we have an extra sleeping bag somewhere, as well. I'll ask Grandma Hansen."
Oh, no. This is the Grandma that doesn't approve of Marisa's boyfriend, Kevin, after all these years. I gulp.
~~~
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ChickLitReignited by a childhood love, Melanie must decide the future she wants while her college boyfriend speaks of a life together she's unsure about. --- Melanie and Bianca have been best friends since preschool, growing up sharing everything... except...
