The humidity of New Orleans wrapped around you like a blanket as you and your best friend dragged your suitcases down the uneven sidewalk, your phone lighting up with notifications about the Taylor Swift concert. You’d been planning this trip for months, excited to see Taylor perform live, but the thought of your favorite actor, Tom Blyth, filming his new movie People We Meet on Vacation here in the same city had added an extra layer of thrill.

Your Uber driver had mentioned that the street near your hotel was blocked off for filming, but it hadn’t clicked right away that it could be Tom’s movie. Now, as you approached the block, you noticed the large white signs that confirmed your suspicions. The title hit you like a wave: People We Meet on Vacation. Your heart skipped a beat, and you froze in place.

Your hotel was just across the street from where they were filming.

“Are you serious?” your best friend asked, noticing your reaction. You didn’t respond, too focused on the scene unfolding in front of you. There he was— Tom. He was standing with his co-star Emily Bader, casually chatting between takes. He looked effortlessly handsome in a simple white t-shirt, jeans, and New Balance sneakers. His short hair was perfectly tousled, catching the sunlight in a way that made him look even more striking.

Your breath caught in your throat as your eyes locked onto him. His presence was magnetic, and for a second, you felt like the world had narrowed to just this moment, just him.

And then, Tom’s blue eyes met yours, and a slow, warm smile spread across his face. Your heart fluttered wildly as he raised his hand in a small wave, his genuine kindness radiating through the simple gesture. Before you could even process what was happening, he started walking toward you, his approach easy and casual as if he did this sort of thing every day.

“Hey,” Tom said, his voice even sweeter in person. “You staying at the hotel?” he said, pointing at the hotel behind you.