Sitting cross-legged in the middle of Madelyn’s living room, you found yourself nervously picking at the strings of one of the throw pillows, your cheeks already warm at the topic of conversation. Across from you, Madelyn and Madison exchanged knowing smirks, their energy buzzing with excitement.

“You’re still not going to tell him?” Madison teased, her brow raising as she passed you a mug of tea. “I mean, how much clearer can the universe be? You’re playing his girlfriend on the show! That’s not just fate—that’s destiny!”

You groaned, sinking back into the couch. “Yeah, playing his girlfriend. Acting, Maddy. Big difference.”

Madelyn rolled her eyes dramatically, reaching for a handful of popcorn. “Oh, come on, you’re around each other all the time! The chemistry is obviously there.” She leaned forward, her blonde hair falling over her shoulders. “Do you seriously think he doesn’t feel something too?”

Your face scrunched up, a mixture of nerves and disbelief. “He doesn’t, trust me. I mean, he’s Drew. He’s charming, ridiculously talented, and… have you seen his face? He could literally have anyone.”

Madison leaned closer, crossing her arms with a smug grin. “Yeah, but he’s not the one playing hard to get here. You are.”

Madelyn clapped her hands suddenly, causing you to jump. “Okay, here’s the plan,” she announced. “First, you stop overthinking. Second, we need to create some little… moments. Subtle ones. Just enough to make him notice you in a different way.”

“Uh, notice me?” you said, raising a skeptical brow. “He already notices me—we’re on set together, like, every day.”

“Yeah,” Madison chimed in, leaning back with a mischievous grin, “but does he notice-notice you?”

You rolled your eyes, heat creeping up your neck. “Oh my god, I shouldn’t have brought this up.”

Madelyn threw a popcorn kernel at you. “Nope! You can’t back out now. We’re your besties. We are invested.” She turned to Madison. “We need a scene partner rehearsal excuse. Something close, intimate…”