Page 85 of The Summer Intern

I nodded, understanding.Matt had been diagnosed with ADHD as a kid, and classroom settings were particularly challenging for him, though he'd developed various coping mechanisms over the years.

"But you're doing well, right?"I asked.

"Well enough," he said with a half-smile."Not setting any academic records, but passing.It helps when I can connect it directly to camp stuff.Sutton and I have been working on this five-year plan for the camp," he continued, backing out of the parking space."And a ten-year projection too.With expense forecasts and profit predictions—all that boring shit they teach in those classes I hate."

His voice grew animated despite his complaints, and I smiled, watching his face light up.This was the Matt I loved—passionate and focused when talking about Camp Eagle Ridge, and I sat back, smiling and listening, as he rambled on about their beautiful plans for the camp, interjecting only to make sure my music and arts program was still being funded.

Which, of course, it was.

thirty-three

Epilogue - Matt

Icouldn'ttakemyeyes off Casey as he moved across the dance floor at Ben and Sutton's wedding, his hair catching the glow of the string lights above us.The way his slim-fitting dress shirt hugged his shoulders made my chest tighten with a familiar ache—not of longing, but of disbelief that this beautiful man had chosen me.

Eagle Ridge's historic lodge had been transformed for the wedding, the massive wooden beams overhead wrapped in twinkling lights that cast gentle shadows across the polished floor.The stone fireplace that dominated one wall had been cleaned of ash and filled with candles that flickered in the evening air, their warm light making Casey's skin glow golden against the crisp white of his collar.This place had been my childhood home, my sanctuary, but seeing it through Casey's eyes made it feel new again.

"You're staring," Casey murmured against my ear, his breath warm and carrying the faint sweetness of the champagne we'd been drinking all evening."My makeup isn't smudged, is it?"

"No," I replied, tightening my arm around his waist."Just appreciating the view."

Casey laughed, the sound cutting through the soft music playing around us."You're so fucking cheesy, Blackstone."But he pressed closer, his body slotting perfectly against mine as we moved in lazy circles.

Five months of waking up to him in our cramped Corvallis apartment had done nothing to dull the electric feeling of his skin against mine.If anything, domestic life had only deepened the initial attraction that had blindsided me last summer when he'd shown up for counselor training with his then-blue hair and sharp tongue.Now I knew how he liked his coffee (disgustingly sweet), which side of the bed he preferred (the left), and how his face looked when he was deep in a music theory textbook (furrowed brow, lower lip caught between his teeth).

Aiden and Jay drifted past us, their movements more coordinated than our lazy swaying.Aiden nodded at me, his face split in a wide grin.His arm was wrapped protectively around Jay's waist, their matching gold bands catching the light.

"You two look good," Jay said quietly, his natural reserve softened by the few glasses of champagne he'd consumed."Almost makes me believe in summer camp romance."

"Says the man who married his camp sweetheart," Casey retorted with a grin."Besides, Matt and I met at a job fair.It's a much more interesting meet-cute story."

"If by interesting you mean you calling me a 'patriarchal tool of the establishment' within five minutes of meeting me, then sure," I added, laughing at the memory.

Aiden shook his head."I still don't understand how you two got from there to here."

"Chemistry," Casey said with a wink, pressing his hips against mine in a way that made my breath catch."Lots and lots of chemistry."

As Aiden and Jay moved away, laughing, I spotted Ravi and Parker by the refreshment table.Ravi stood with perfect posture, his tailored suit emphasizing his athletic build, while Parker gestured animatedly, probably recounting some adventure from the summer camp program.The contrast between Ravi's measured stillness and Parker's enthusiastic energy somehow worked perfectly, like opposite forces balancing each other out.

"Do you think we'll still be together like them in five years?"Casey asked suddenly, following my gaze.

I looked down at him, surprised."I wasn't planning on going anywhere.Are you?"

"God, no," Casey said quickly."Just...thinking about the future.Graduation is coming up.Then back to Eagle Ridge."

I nodded, leading him in a slow turn as the music shifted to something softer."That's still the plan.You teaching music at the camp, me taking over more of the director duties from my dad."

"And we'll be happy?In this small town?"

I could hear the uncertainty in his voice—Casey, the city boy who'd initially hated the outdoors, wondering if he could make a life here."We'll build a bigger closet," I promised, which made him laugh."And Seattle is not that far for when you need your fancy coffee and art galleries."

The music shifted again, and Casey pressed himself closer against me, his head resting on my chest.I caught sight of Sutton and Ben leaning against the stone wall near the band, their heads bent close together.Sutton's hand rested possessively on Ben's lower back, his fingers tracing small circles that probably no one but me noticed.My stepbrother looked more relaxed than I'd seen him in months, the permanent furrow between his brows smoothed away as he laughed at something Sutton whispered.

"Your brother and Sutton are adorable," Casey commented, following my gaze."I still can't believe the introvert artist and the preppy jock are actually making it work."

"They balance each other," I said simply."Ben needs someone to pull him out of his head sometimes, and Sutton needs someone who calls him on his bullshit."

"Like us?"Casey asked, raising an eyebrow.

---