Page 42 of The Summer Intern

"Your shirt's on inside out."

I looked down and, sure enough, the seams of my black t-shirt were visible.With a groan of frustration, I set down the guitar, stripped off the shirt, turned it right-side out, and yanked it back over my head.

"Better?"I asked through gritted teeth.

Oliver nodded, then pointed to my neck."But now your hickey's showing again."

I slapped a hand to my neck, then saw the smirk on his face."You're such an asshole."

"An observant asshole," he corrected."And for what it's worth, I think Matt's good for you.You seem happier."

The simple observation landed like a punch to the gut.Was I happier?Had one night with Matt Blackstone really changed something fundamental in me?I didn't want to examine that too closely.

"I'll see you later," I said, picking up my guitar again and wrenching open the door.

"Have fun not falling for Matt!"Oliver called after me as I stalked out of the cabin.

I didn't dignify that with a response, just slammed the door behind me with enough force to rattle the windows.Oliver's laughter followed me down the steps, and despite my irritation, I felt a reluctant smile tugging at my lips.Annoying as he was, my brother might be onto something.But I'd rather eat my new guitar than admit it to him—or to myself.

Right outside the cabin, there was a tall figure leaning against one of the big ponderosa pines, scrolling through his phone, the sun glinting off the gold in his hair.

Matt.

I stopped in my tracks, heart hammering against my ribs.He hadn't seen me yet, which gave me a moment to take him in.He wore faded jeans that hugged his thighs and a simple gray t-shirt that stretched across his shoulders, revealing the edges of the tattoos that I now knew covered much of his upper body.His feet were clad in worn hiking boots, and his face was tilted toward the sun, eyes closed, a small smile playing on his lips.

He looked relaxed.Content.Gorgeous.

He straightened and pocketed the phone, and his eyes found mine, as if he'd sensed my presence.Something shifted in his expression—a softening around the eyes, a quirk of his lips that wasn't quite a smile but something more intimate.

"Casey."My name in his mouth still sounded like a revelation.

I forced my feet to move, closing the gap between us with steps that I hoped looked more confident than they felt."What are you doing here?"I asked, aiming for casual but landing somewhere closer to breathless.

Matt straightened as I approached, unfolding his arms."Waiting for you."

The simple honesty of it knocked me sideways.There was no pretense with Matt, no game-playing.He'd wanted to see me, so he'd come to where I would be.Simple.Direct.Terrifying.

"I have work to do.I’m heading for the music cabin," I said, stopping a few yards from where he was standing and looking up at him.The height difference made me feel small in a way that wasn't entirely unpleasant.Not now that I knew how he could manhandle me, anyway.

"I know," Matt said.His eyes tracked over me slowly, taking in my damp hair, my black t-shirt, and the way I was standing off-center to accommodate the lingering ache in my body.His lips curved into a knowing smile."You told me before you left.I wanted to walk you to work."

The gentleness in his voice made something in my chest constrict painfully.

We stood there for a moment, the morning sun warming the space between us.I should say something.Something professional and appropriate.Something that would establish boundaries and make it clear that last night was a one-time thing.

Instead, what came out was: "I'm not falling for you."

Matt's eyes widened, then crinkled at the corners as a slow, knowing smile spread across his face.I was so screwed."Come on, the counselors arrive soon, and the campers will be here right after that.It's almost done, so we need to get some work done before dinner."

"Dinner?"

"Your belated birthday party."

"And?"

He hauled me against his side and bit my ear."Another party in my bed?"

"Holy shit, that was a cheesy line."

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