Page 31 of The Summer Intern

“Yep, I’m drunk texting my boss-slash-nemesis-slash-best-lay-of-my-life.And he doesn’t even have the decency to reply.On my birthday!"

Kyle's eyebrow notch deepened.Before he could respond, the front door burst open with enough force to rattle the dartboard, but I didn’t look to see who had walked in.I was too busy texting Matt about how cock piercings were not as exciting as they looked.

"Twenty-one shots," I informed the ceiling."That's the law, right?Let’s get started!"

"He's had how many?"A deep voice rumbled from behind me.

"You sound like Matt,” I muttered as I shot off another text to Matt, this one about his abs being only an 8-pack when I, myself, preferred a 24-pack.Behind me, there was a melodic ping.Someone in the bar had the same dorky phone notification that Matt did.

“Just a few watered-down cocktails," Kyle said.“But he seemed a little tipsy when he arrived.”

“Watered-down?”I gasped.“At least the Grill across the street gave me full-strength beer!”

“Thanks for coming, he seems a little—”

"—delightful?"I filled in before I swiveled too fast towards the man behind me, and my barstool tilted at an impossible angle.Strong hands caught me mid-collapse."Oh hello, officer."My nose bumped against a throat that smelled a hell of a lot like Matt's throat."Did you know your collarbone smells like campfire and sex?"

The low chuckle vibrated against my cheek."Let's get you out of here, birthday boy."

I looked up and met eyes that looked a lot like Matt's pretty blue eyes."Out of here?I belong in here!It's for 21 people!"My hips jerked against his grip.

"Case, you're a bit drunk."

"Not drunk!See?Standing!Functioning adult who doesn't—" The floor tilted."...need rescue from some...some..."My gaze dropped to where his rolled-up sleeves strained around his biceps."Jesus fuck, are you smuggling cantaloupes under there?"

Patrons at the pool table paused their game.Matt's jaw twitched."Casey."

"I mean look at these!"I slapped his arm, the smack echoing."You could crack walnuts!Juggle refrigerators!Do it now—juggle something!"

"C'mon, trouble."Matt hooked an arm around my waist."Time to—"

"Wait!"I gripped the bar edge."Important announcement!"The room hushed.Five faces turned.Even the jukebox skipped."I am being kidnapped, not leaving because I want to investigate this man’s pierced dick."

Kyle choked on a laugh.Matt closed his eyes."Casey."

"Silver hoop!"My pinky finger circled the air."Through the—"

Matt clapped a hand over my mouth."Thank you for the hospitality," he told Kyle through gritted teeth, dragging me backward."Charge it to my tab?”

"Will do, Matt.Good to see you," Kyle called.“And happy birthday!”

The cold night air hit like a shotgun blast.I tripped over a parking block, saved only by Matt's iron grip on the back of my sweater."Look!"I pointed at his truck."Ooh, you could bend me over the tailgate and have your way with me—"

"Seatbelt."Matt boosted me into the passenger seat.Leather squeaked under my thighs as I flopped sideways.

"You didn't..."A hiccup rattled my ribs."...say happy birthday."

Rough fingers brushed hair from my eyes.Matt's sigh smelled faintly of peppermint gum."Happy birthday, Case."

My traitorous heart did a backflip."You waited till..."The numbers on the dashboard clock swam."7:58.Like a...a heathen.Why didn’t you tell me happy birthday sooner."

The buckle clicked.Matt lingered, one palm braced against the headrest.Moonlight caught the silver ring through his earlobe."You're impossible."

"The bartender's hotter than you.I want to ride in his truck."

"Kyle?"

"The way he...shook that shaker."I demonstrated with shaky jazz hands."So sexy."

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