Page 49 of The Summer Intern

"Look," Matt said suddenly, breaking me from my reverie.He pointed toward the far side of the lake."Those two—they're past the boundary buoys."

I squinted in the direction he indicated and spotted two yellow kayaks drifting beyond the clearly marked safe zone.Even from this distance, I could make out the shapes of two teenage campers, apparently oblivious to their transgression.

"Those little shits," I muttered."Aren't those the same ones who started the food fight last night?"

"Ben and Carlos," Matt confirmed with a sigh."They've been testing boundaries all week."

Without further discussion, Matt adjusted our course, paddling with increased urgency toward the wayward campers.I matched his rhythm without thinking, our movements synchronizing as if we'd been paddling together for years instead of minutes.

"They're heading toward the rocks," Matt said, his voice tight with concern."That’s where the lake's outlet to Eagle Creek is.The current gets tricky over there.We’d better catch them before they get swept off down the creek.”

He dug in with his paddle, and this time, I matched his effort and the distance between us and the boys rapidly closed.Matt's shoulders bunched with tension as he paddled harder, and I followed suit.

"Hey!"Matt called when we were within earshot."Carlos!Ben!Stop paddling and wait for us!"

The boys' heads turned in unison, their expressions shifting from surprise to guilt when they recognized Matt.They stopped paddling immediately, though the current continued to pull them gently toward the rocks.

He maneuvered our kayak alongside the first boy's craft with impressive precision."Ben, you're well past the safety boundary.Do you see those buoys?"He pointed back toward the marked zone."Those aren't suggestions.You're only allowed past them when accompanied by an adult."

"Sorry, Matt," the boy mumbled, his face flushed with embarrassment."We were just exploring."

"Exploring is fantastic, but you need to have proper supervision," Matt replied firmly."This is a dangerous part of the lake."

I positioned my paddle to help stabilize our kayak as Matt continued his lecture.The second boy looked like he wanted to sink into the lake and disappear.

"Both of you, paddle back to the beach—slowly and directly.No detours," Matt instructed."Give your boats to Sutton and tell him you’re grounded to the swim beach."

"Yes, sir," they answered in unison, turning their kayaks back toward the safe zone with chastened expressions.

As they began paddling away, Matt relaxed, turning to catch my eye."Nice teamwork," he said quietly."All it takes is a little motivation, and you paddle like you've been doing it for years."

"I'm full of surprises," I replied, warmed by his praise.

"I'm counting on it."His smile was subtle but genuine, creating tiny crinkles at the corners of his eyes that made my heart stutter.

We followed the boys back toward the designated swimming area, maintaining a watchful distance.Once they were safely within bounds, Matt directed them to join the larger group of campers, where another counselor would keep an eye on them.

As the boys paddled away, Matt and I slowed our pace, the urgency of the moment fading.The kayak drifted gently, both of us resting our paddles across our laps.The sudden quiet felt intimate, accentuated by the soft lapping of water against the sides of our boat.

He reached back and clasped my hand where it rested on the paddle.His fingers were warm and slightly calloused, enveloping mine with gentle strength.He gave my hand a squeeze—not sexual, not challenging, but something deeper that made my breath catch.

“I was being honest last night when I said I miss you.I do.Bratty behavior and all,” he said quietly.

“You liked it when I splashed you!I knew it!”

He laughed, shaking his head.“It’s hot as hell out, so a little water is fine.And I can’t say I minded the way you were staring at my body like you wanted to lick me from head to toe.”

I didn't know what to say, so I said nothing, squeezing his hand, letting the moment stretch between us like the sunlight stretching across the water's surface.Matt seemed content with the silence too, his thumb tracing small circles on the back of my hand before he reluctantly let go and turned forward again.

He dipped his paddle into the water, resuming our journey with slow, measured strokes.The muscles in his back flexed rhythmically, but now their movement seemed less like a distraction and more like a continuation of our wordless conversation—each stroke a reminder of the surprising connection we'd just shared.

"Ben and Carlos are back on the beach.And I know a place," Matt said after a few minutes, his voice carrying back to me over his shoulder."A quiet spot where we can take a quick break."The smirk he threw back at me left little doubt about what kind of "break" he had in mind.

I swallowed hard, memories of our previous encounters flooding my mind."Lead the way, Director."

He adjusted our course, guiding us toward a small, secluded bay hidden from the main beach by a jutting peninsula of land.Tall pines crowded the shoreline, creating natural privacy from prying eyes.A narrow strip of sandy beach gleamed invitingly in the afternoon sun.

Matt paddled us right up to the shore, the bottom of the kayak scraping gently on the sandy lake bed.He climbed out first, his movements fluid and confident as he stepped into knee-deep water.Just as I worried he might be expecting me to step out, too, he turned, and, muscles flexing, hauled the boat further onto the sandy beach with me still inside it.Turning back to me, he extended his hand.

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