Page 84 of The Summer Intern

"True," I nodded, thinking of my own parents who'd been unexpectedly charmed by Matt over the past few months.Sometimes, I was sure they liked him better than me.I opened the fridge and took out a bag of restaurant takeout."My mom was worried that you'd starve on the drive, so she packed your favorites.And probably none of mine.It's insane that you are the favorite."

"Your mom is a goddess," Matt said with reverence."I've been dreaming about her braised tofu since New Year's.Do we have to drive Oliver?"

"He went up already, in the Prius."I laughed, zipping up my suitcase with considerable effort."I can't believe even Oliver is going to the wedding."

"Does Oliver even like parties?"

"Hey, he contains multitudes," I defended."Besides, I think he's actually excited about seeing the conservation area near the camp.Something about water quality research."

"Of course," Matt said dryly."Nothing says 'party' like water samples."

I threw a rolled-up sock at him, which he caught easily."Be nice.He's my brother."

"I'm always nice, and I love Oliver," Matt protested, looking offended.He gathered our bags—his single duffel and my enormous suitcase—and groaned dramatically."Jesus, Casey, what did you pack in here?Your entire wardrobe?"

"A man needs options," I sniffed, grabbing my messenger bag."I won't apologize for being fashion-forward."

"We're going to a camp in the woods for a weekend wedding, not New York Fashion Week," Matt said, but his eyes were fond as he struggled with my bag.

I followed him to the door, watching the muscles in his back flex under his t-shirt as he maneuvered the luggage.My boyfriend was ridiculously strong—years of hauling canoes and climbing equipment around Camp Eagle Ridge had given him a physique that still made me feel a little weak in the knees, even after months of waking up beside him every day.

"Keys, wallet, phone?"Matt asked, our standard departure checklist.

I patted my messenger bag."All accounted for.Plus snacks for the road."

"You're perfect," he said, leaning in for a quick kiss.

"I know," I replied, locking the door behind us as Matt headed down the stairs with our bags.

The February air bit at my cheeks as we stepped outside, the sky a brilliant blue that seemed to mock the chill.Matt shouldered our bags with the casual strength that still made my stomach flip, his breath forming small clouds in the morning air.Our apartment complex was quiet at this hour, most students either still asleep or already gone to early classes, and the silence made the moment feel strangely intimate—just the two of us, setting off on another journey together.

Matt's Toyota 4Runner sat in its usual spot, the dark green paint gleaming under the winter sun.It was an older model, meticulously maintained, with a few battle scars that Matt insisted gave it "character."The vehicle had been with him since high school, hauling camping gear up mountain roads and teenagers to remote campsites.

"You sure you don't want to get a new car when we move back to Eagle Ridge permanently?"I asked, not for the first time, as Matt popped open the trunk.

"Susan has at least another hundred thousand miles in her," Matt replied, hefting my suitcase with a grunt.

"Did we not discuss giving your car a better name than Susan?How about, I don't know, Persephone?"

"Shh, don't let Susan hear that!"Matt gasped, hauling the trunk open.I stood back, watching the muscles of his back flex beneath his jacket as he maneuvered my suitcase into the cargo area.Matt was beautiful in a rugged, uncomplicated way that still caught me off guard sometimes—broad shoulders, strong hands, and that easy confidence that came from knowing exactly who he was and what he wanted.

I fought the urge to wrap my arms around him from behind, aware that we needed to get on the road.But I allowed myself a moment of simple appreciation as he efficiently arranged our bags, making room where it seemed impossible anything more could fit.

"Seriously, though," Matt said, sliding my backpack into a remaining crevice, "it's practical for the camp.And it's paid off."

"And sentimental," I teased, moving toward the passenger door.

"Maybe a little," he admitted, closing the trunk with a solid thunk."We've been through a lot together, me and this car."

I climbed into the passenger seat, the familiar scent of pine air freshener and the faint undertone of whatever Matt used to treat the leather seats enveloping me.The inside of Matt's car was tidy for someone whose desk at home looked like a paper factory had exploded on it.

As Matt settled into the driver's seat beside me, I turned to face him."So, how are your classes going?For real."

He sighed, hands resting on the steering wheel but not yet turning the ignition."They're honestly so fucking boring, Casey.Business administration feels like eating dry toast every day for months."

I reached over and squeezed his knee."That bad, huh?"

"It's not that I don't get it," he said, running a hand through his hair, dislodging it from its tie."It's just...sitting still for hours, listening to some dude drone on about marketing strategies or accounting principles...my brain just wants to shut down."

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