Page 27 of The Summer Intern

"Right, well, you can stay, but I'm banning any more talk involving Matt and sex," Ben declared firmly.“I do not want to picture whatever he and that bratty little menace are doing.”

“He’s not a menace!He just has strong opinions.And he’s passionate.Not in a sex way.”I quickly added.“Well, maybe a bit in a sex way, too.”

“Matt,” Ben warned.“I have fettuccini with broccoli and Alfredo sauce, and I even put the meat on the side for you.Don’t cross me, or I dump the meat in.”

“And fresh bread from the bakery!”Sutton cheered, waving the loaf.

"What about Matt and being in loooove?"Sylvie teased.“Is that an acceptable topic?”

"I am not in love," I snapped back, because that would be ridiculous.

"Infatuated, then," Sutton said."Crushing hard.What else would explain hiring him for that internship?He was the least qualified candidate.And he yelled at you.”

“He has good ideas!”

Sutton rubbed his chin.“Okay, he has some good ideas.I can agree with that.But getting him to drive all the way from Portland two weekends a month?And the way you made me call him to make sure he'd take the job?"

"And the way you do everything he suggests, even if it's stupid," Ben chipped in with a knowing smirk.

"Nothing he has suggested has been stupid!"I defended myself, feeling a sudden urge to defend Casey.“If it was stupid, I wouldn't do it!He may not communicate things in the best way, but he’s usually right.”

"And the way you defend him," Sylvie pointed out with a knowing smile.

"Okay, Ben is right.This is a super awkward topic," I muttered, feeling embarrassed."Wade, how's the lawsuit coming along?"

But Wade just glared at me and took another drink of his beer, before turning to Sylvie.“Sylvie, tell us about your rock gym?How are things coming along with the renovation?”

As Sylvie launched into an enthusiastic update about the new wall they were installing at her rock climbing gym, I barely heard any of it.My mind kept wandering back to Casey.Ever since he had stormed into our lives a few months ago, things had been a bit chaotic.He was loud, opinionated, and always seemed to be pushing my buttons.But for some reason, I couldn't seem to shake him off.

I lifted my beer bottle to my lips, and, finding it empty, stood and stretched.“Anyone need another?”

Sylvie shook her head, but Wade handed me his empty bottle.I passed behind Ben and Sutton, who were debating the right amount of garlic to put in their pasta sauce, and opened Ben’s fridge, pulling out another two of the beers Wade had brought.When I turned towards the drawer to grab the bottle opener, Sutton caught my eye, smiling.

“I do like Casey,” he said quietly.“He’s feisty, but in a fun way.And he's really cute.”

“Maybe he’ll make you a bit less boring,” Ben added with a wink.I gave him a playful punch in the shoulder, laughing, and Sutton waved at the bowls they were prepping.Their new puppy, Junji, danced around their feet, hoping for scraps, and I leaned down and scratched his ears.

“Anyway," Sutton said."Stop mooning over Casey, give Wade his beer, and set the table.And maybe after that, you should send him a text and let him know you miss him.”

“I don’t miss him, I just…”

“Feel desperate to hang out with him again?”Sutton asked, dimples flashing as he graced us with one of his cocky grins.“Maybe you should invite him for a real date.Wine and dine him in your tiny home, or take him into the new Peruvian restaurant in town.I hear it’s great.If only I had someone who'd take me there.”

“Subtle,” Ben said, elbowing Sutton.Then, to me, “Sutton thinks we don’t do enough romantic dates, either, so you’re not the only one in this family who needs to do a little wooing.”

I smiled.“Maybe we can trade tips.”

Sutton and Ben looked at each other and burst out laughing.“Trade?What tips do you have to give?”

“Hey, I’m smooth!I know how to woo.”I walked across the room to hand Wade his beer, grinning at both of my friends.“Right, Sylvie?”

“Yep, your wooing worked great on me.”

“Says the lesbian,” Wade said, and everyone cracked up again.

I handed them their beers, then set the table, my stomach churning as I ran over and over the afternoon in my head, trying to understand why Casey had run.Was he still mad at me for not kissing him back when we'd kissed in the art shed?

Shit, I’d forgotten to apologize for that.I’d truly meant to, but then he’d answered the door dressed in my flannel, and I’d lost my goddamn mind.Something feral and possessive had overtaken me, something that made me want to claim and mark every inch of his body, making certain that no one could have him but me.

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