Page 86 of The Summer Intern

I laughed."Are you saying I call you on your bullshit or that I pull you out of your head?"

"Both," Casey admitted with a grin."And I do the same for you."

He wasn't wrong.Without Casey, I'd probably still be living in my tiny house alone, convinced that solitude was all I needed.Instead, I'd taken the leap and moved to Corvallis with him, discovering that while I still craved my connection nature, having someone to come home to made everything better, and enabled me to pursue my goals with the camp.

Across the room, I noticed Casey's younger brother Oliver standing by the bar, nursing what looked like a ginger ale.He seemed to be trying very hard not to stare at Wade, who was working behind the bar, sleeves rolled up to reveal corded forearms covered in tattoos.Wade caught Oliver's eye for a moment, and something electric passed between them before Wade turned away, wiping a glass with unnecessary focus.

"Is your brother interested in Wade?"I asked, nodding subtly in their direction.

Casey followed my gaze and snorted."Ollie?With Wade?God, they'd be a disaster.Oliver would correct Wade's grammar until Wade strangled him with his bare hands."

"I don't know," I mused, watching as Oliver adjusted his glasses nervously when Wade set a fresh drink in front of him."Opposites attract."

"Like us, you mean?"Casey tipped his face up to mine, his eyes reflecting the string lights above.

"Nah, we're not opposites at all.We fit perfectly."

Around us, wedding guests circulated in their formal wear, filling the lodge with laughter and conversation.I recognized a few former campers, now old enough to attend as friends of the bride and groom, their faces familiar despite the years that had passed.They nodded respectfully when they caught my eye—once a camp director, always a camp director, I supposed.

The music shifted again, and Casey tugged at my hand."I need a drink.Dance with me again after?"

We made our way to the bar, where Wade nodded at us, his usual gruff expression softening slightly."Beer?"he asked me.

"Please," I replied, then gestured to Casey."And whatever fruity concoction he wants."

"Fuck you," Casey said cheerfully."I'll have a whiskey, neat."

Wade's eyebrows shot up, but he poured the drink without comment, sliding it across the bar.

Casey took a sip and managed not to wince, though I could tell it was a near thing."What?"he challenged when he caught me watching him with amusement."I contain multitudes."

"Never said you didn't," I replied, taking a long pull of my beer.

We found a quiet corner away from the main crowd, and Casey leaned against me, his body warm and solid against my side."This is nice," he said softly."Being back here.Seeing everyone."

"It is," I agreed, looking around at the lodge that had been the center of my childhood."Sometimes I forget how much I miss this place."

"Even with me distracting you in Corvallis?"Casey teased, but I heard the genuine question beneath.

I set my beer down and turned to face him fully, taking in the slight uncertainty in his eyes."Especially with you distracting me," I said honestly."You make me want things I never thought I wanted.A future.Plans beyond the next summer session."

Casey's expression softened."Yeah?"

"Yeah."I reached up to brush a strand of hair from his forehead."I used to think all I needed was Eagle Ridge and the camp.But now I know what I really need is my love.The place is just backdrop."

"That's the champagne talking," Casey said, but his eyes were bright with emotion.

"It's the truth talking," I corrected him."I love you, Casey Kim.And watching you here, in this place that means so much to me, looking so fucking gorgeous in that outfit–—it makes me the happiest I've ever been."

Casey's response was to grab my tie and pull me down for a kiss that tasted of whiskey and promise.When we broke apart, he was smiling, the kind of unguarded smile I rarely saw from him in public."I love you too, you sappy mountain man."

The band started up again, playing something slow and sweet that filled the hall.Casey tugged at my hand."Time to sneak out?I need my naked time."

I laughed."We can't leave yet, it's my brother's wedding...but I have another idea."I glanced towards the hall.

"Your office?Scandalous!"

Grinning, I guided a giggling Casey down the dim corridor, past framed photographs of summers long gone, my heart hammering against my ribs like it was plotting an illicit escape.The weight of his hand in mine felt both familiar and thrilling—five months of sharing a bed hadn't dulled the rush I got whenever we touched.The heavy wooden door to my office loomed ahead, the carved Eagle Ridge emblem barely visible in the low light, and I fumbled with the key, hyperaware of Casey's breath against my neck as he pressed close behind me.

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