Page 18 of Summer Ever After

“Fine, but do something for me,” she said, pausing her typing to look up at him. “When you’re done walking me to my car, promise me that you’ll go home and get some rest. Don’t sit outside of my place tonight, okay?”

Aaron’s expression softened, and a small, crooked smile appeared. “I promise. I’ll get some sleep. But… if you see anything or if you get spooked tonight, you call or text me right away, got it?”

Beth nodded, grateful and a little flustered. “I will.”

“Good.” He stepped back, giving her a reassuring nod. “Now, go tame those numbers. I’ll make sure no one is stealing the pool furniture again.” He winked at her, and she laughed when she remembered the couple that had tried to get a whole bench in their car last month.

She watched him leave and held her head high and purposeful until he was gone, then she let herself exhale slowly.

Damn, the man was powerful to just watch.

She tried to refocus on the spreadsheets, but her thoughts kept drifting back to him, the way he’d said protector, the weight of his gaze, the way he somehow made her feel both safe and… unsettled, but in a good way.

Almost ten minutes later, she shook her head clear and forced herself to focus back on her work.

She stayed busy with calls about check-ins and check-outs, confirming guests’ plans, and she navigated it all while sneaking the occasional glance around the lobby, half-expecting him to be lingering in the doorway. She missed his presence.

By the time the afternoon sun started to dip towards the pines, the spreadsheets were in order, guests had been assisted, and Beth was finally shutting down her work station. The thought of leaving the office made her stomach twist, knowing that she’d see Aaron again when he walked her to her car.

When she stepped outside into the warm late-afternoon air, there he was, waiting with that calm, reassuring posture. He looked good. Like, better than she remembered any other man ever looking.

His smile was genuine. His eyes kind. His tone had always been soft, calm, and sexy. Just a whiff of his cologne had her knees weakening.

“You ready to head out?” he asked as he tucked his hands casually into his pockets.

Beth took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. “Yeah… but you’re going home tonight, right?”

He chuckled softly, a hint of teasing in his tone. “Yeah, unless I have a better offer.”

“Maybe champagne lady will corner you on the pathway?” she joked as her pulse spiked at the thought of inviting him back to her place for the night.

Aaron chuckled. “Not a chance. I found out that the staff saw her walking down the pathway and dropping the first bottle. Which is why she wanted another one.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah, the staff had to clean up the glass from the pathway. Elle is handling it.”

“Good.” She fell into step beside him as they walked towards the parking lot together.

The hum of the camp surrounded them—laughing guests, the distant strum of a guitar, the rustle of the palms. She took it all in, enjoying every sound.

Everything felt safer with him at her side and, for once, she didn’t mind letting herself rely on someone else.

He had done that for her. He made her feel safe.

Later that night, when she was alone in her apartment and jumping at shadows, she’d curse the fact that when Aaron wasn’t around, that strong secure feeling disappeared.