“Your breakfast, my lord,” he announced, carrying the coffee tray with great ceremony.

Archer sat up, scrubbing his hand through his hair, wishing he had thought to wear a shirt to bed. “Oh, thanks.”

Mateo placed Archer’s coffee on his bedside table and handed him his sandwich, then took a seat in the desk chair. He had the same breakfast for himself. The crinkling of the wrappers was loud in the otherwise silent room.

“Yum,” Archer said after swallowing his first bite. “They’re so good here.”

“They are good,” Mateo agreed, picking up his coffee. “But not as good as homemade crepes—they’re my breakfast specialty.”

“Yeah? I love crepes.”

“Maybe I’ll make them for you one day.”

The one day hung in the air, given that there were only two weeks left in the season. Does he mean … back in the city? One morning, after we—

Mateo cleared his throat. “So, do you think we’ll be ready for the finale?”

“Absolutely.” Archer’s answer was immediate. “We’re so close already. And there’s plenty of time still.”

Mateo smiled softly. “You’re always so optimistic.”

Archer paused before his next bite. “Am I?”

“You are. All summer, you’ve been the one encouraging me, telling me it’ll be okay, we can do it. It’s … it’s nice, having someone positive like that.”

“Oh … that’s—Thanks.”

“No, thank you.”

Archer smiled into his sandwich.

They ate in companionable silence, then Mateo stood to collect Archer’s wrapper when he was done. “So, what else can I do for you today?”

“You really don’t have to—”

“A bet’s a bet. I’m all yours.”

Archer’s tongue twisted itself into a knot while his face’s temperature cranked up a few degrees. “I can’t think of anything right now…”

“Well, I’m at your beck and call. You let me know if you need anything.”

“Okay.”

“Okay.”

They stared at each other.

“Want to go for a swim?” Archer asked.

“Sounds great.” Mateo smiled. “Let me carry your towel.”

When they got down to the dock, it looked like several of the others had had the same idea. Caleb and Ben were there, as were Harley, River, Seta, and Yuki. Ben was rubbing sunscreen onto a very pleased-looking Caleb’s back.

After they spread their towels out, Mateo held out his hand to Archer. “Here, I’ll do you.”

“You’ll what?” Archer wheezed.

Mateo chuckled. “Your sunscreen, Archer.”

“Oh. Yes. Sure.” He handed his bottle to Mateo, then turned his back, ignoring the smirk Caleb was giving him.

The sunscreen was cool on his skin for a second before there was nothing but the sensation of warmth and Mateo’s big, strong hands on him. He was very thorough, gliding his fingers firmly over every inch of exposed skin, including Archer’s neck and sides and right along the waist of his swim trunks.