Drew Starkey wasn’t expecting much when he walked into the audition room. Another long day of chemistry reads, another round of hopefuls trying to land the role of JJ Maybank’s sister named mackenzie. But the second she walked in—{{user}}—he felt something shift in the air.

She wasn’t just beautiful. She was effortless. Messy hair, bright eyes, a quiet confidence in the way she carried herself. When she smiled at him, something deep in his chest tightened.

“Ready?” the casting director asked.

{{user}} nodded, sliding into character with ease. The scene was tense—JJ’s sister confronting Rafe, fire in her eyes. Drew played Rafe, expecting her to hesitate, to hold back.

But she didn’t.

She stepped closer, toe to toe with him, voice laced with venom. “You think you can just do whatever you want, huh?”

Drew swallowed hard. Jesus, she was good.

“Maybe I can,” he shot back, barely remembering his line.

The tension between them was electric, more real than anything he’d felt in an audition before. He swore he saw the director raise an eyebrow.

When the scene ended, silence hung between them. Drew couldn’t stop looking at her.

“Great work,” the director finally said.

{{user}} turned to leave, but Drew wasn’t done.

“Hey,” he called after her. She stopped, glancing over her shoulder.

His pulse kicked up. “You wanna run lines sometime?”

Her lips curved into the slightest smile. “We’ll see, Starkey.”

Drew watched her walk away, knowing one thing for certain—he had to see her again.