The sun was setting over the Outer Banks, casting a golden glow over the beach. You and your group of friends— Topper, Kelce, Sarah, and a few other Kooks-had gathered around a bonfire, the scent of salt and smoke thick in the air. The waves crashed rhythmically in the background, and music played from a speaker someone had brought.

Rafe sat next to you on the sand, his arm casually draped around your shoulders. He'd been unusually touchy all evening, his fingers brushing along your arm, his hand slipping under the hem of your shirt to rest on your waist.

Not that you minded-you could feel the heat between you two simmering just below the surface, and keeping it lowkey in front of everyone was proving to be a challenge.

"Rafe, chill," you whispered when his fingers danced along the bare skin of your thigh.

"What? I'm not doing anything," he murmured innocently, though the smirk tugging at his lips said otherwise.

Sarah rolled her eyes. "You guys are so obvious."

"We're not doing anything!" you pro-tested, earning a laugh from her and a knowing look from Kelce, who was passing you a beer. Rafe leaned in closer, his breath warm against your ear. "We could sneak off, you know," he suggested, his voice low so only you could hear.

"Absolutely not," you replied, though your heart raced at the thought. But Rafe wasn't one to back down. His hand slid further up your leg, and you slapped it away, biting back a smile.