Page 28 of The Summer Intern

I'd kissed him back in the kayak shed, though.Except, he probably wasn’t even into me like that.

"You've been standing there for five minutes, zoning out.If you're not crushing on that boy, you might want to go see a doctor," Ben said, setting a big bowl of pasta on the table.He reached over and pried the forks out of my hand, handing them to my friends, muttering something about how I was so besotted that I couldn't even set the damn table.

And fine, maybe I had a tiny little crush.

thirteen

Casey

June9

“Welcome to Eagle Ridge.Love this town!”Oliver trilled as he parked our Prius on Eagle Ridge’s quaint little main street, and if I had been in a better mood, I might have agreed with him.The cutesy little shops and restaurants had the sweet, small-town vibes of a Hallmark movie.He’d already given me my gift, a cute new sweater to replace the one I’d ripped, and a rose gold birthday tiara and a sash that said ‘21st Birthday’ in matching glitter."Okay, birthday boy, what’ll it be?"

“We should have gone to Seattle.This place is too charming.”I couldn’t shake my grumpiness as I followed my brother down the street.Peeking into the window of a beautiful art gallery, I made a note to come back when I was in a better mood.Sadly, today, I couldn’t shake the grumpiness — couldn’t shake the feeling that nothing was going right on my birthday.I hadn’t even seen Matt at all.

Not that I wanted to see Matt.It was just that I’d envisioned something more exciting for my birthday than dinner with my brother.Plus, it felt a tiny bit like Matt was avoiding me.

“Come on, get into the spirit of celebration!You’re twenty-one today, Case!”

I froze mid-stride, the scent of garlic fries slamming into me like a cartoon anvil.A weathered wooden sign swung ahead—Basecamp Grill, Est.1996.BEST BURGERS IN THE CASCADES!

Oliver followed my gaze.“No.”

“Oh yes.”I hooked my arm through his, dragging him toward the cedar-planked building.“It’s my birthday, my choice!I’m sure they have something vegetarian.Besides, we have to eat somewhere that serves booze but still allows children inside.”

Oliver snorted.“I’m 19, hardly a child.”

“Tell that to the state liquor board.Only one of us is 21, and that one of us is going to lord it over you all day.”I felt vastly more cheerful.

“But I’m vegetarian,” Oliver protested."And that's a grill."

“I’m sure they have salads.”I shoved open the heavy oak door, the bell jingling like Christmas morning.The interior smelled like heaven — sizzling bacon fat, caramelized onions, and hops.Antique snowshoes crisscrossed above the bar where a bearded guy polished pint glasses.Every table was carved with decades of initials, the wood sticky with history.

We slid into a corner booth decorated with a stuffed moose head wearing heart-shaped sunglasses.I tossed my phone on the table, blinking down at a text from our mom asking for some photos of the party.We’d done a FaceTime with them that morning, and I’d made it sound like we had a few more friends than we did, just so she wouldn’t worry.No need to let the parents know I was a loser who only had my little brother by my side on my 21st birthday.I sighed, and quickly snapped a selfie of myself and Oliver, adding a lie that we were waiting for the rest of the party to show up.

The server arrived with waters as I hung up, her tattooed arms balancing two massive menus.“Hey guys, I'm Jess, I'll be your server tonight.Want to start with some drinks?”

I whipped out my ID like Excalibur.“A beer!”I may have yelled that a bit too loud.She picked up the license, and grinned, taking in my sash and tiara.

“Wow, 21 today!Happy birthday!What are you thinking?We have all the local craft beers, or a cider?”

I blushed.“I don’t know.Until today I’ve been limited to whatever swill they serve at college parties.”

She grinned.“Been there.How about the sampler platter?On the house for the birthday boy.”

“Okay!I want to try it all!”

Oliver kicked me under the table.“And a sparkling water for me.”

Jess winked.“Coming right up.Kitchen’s got elk sliders on special tonight.”

I went with those, while Oliver leaned in and went over the vegetarian options with her.When she left, I slumped against the leather seat.

“Excited?”Oliver asked.

“Seems like a bit of a letdown.Shouldn’t there be shots?Confetti?Strangers buying me mystery drinks that might be roofied?”

Oliver’s left eyebrow shot up.“You were planning on being roofied on your 21st?”

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