The warm glow of Drew’s living room lamps cast a cozy light over the group of Outer Banks castmates scattered around. Laughter bounced off the walls as Madelyn recounted a behind-the-scenes mishap, with Chase dramatically reenacting the moment. Pizza boxes were stacked on the kitchen counter, their smell mingling with the faint trace of Drew’s cologne—a comforting scent you’d come to love.

You were perched on the arm of the couch, your legs tucked beneath you, while Drew sat beside you, one arm resting casually over the back of the couch. Though the two of you kept things subtle around the others, his hand occasionally grazed your shoulder, and his eyes found yours in quiet, fleeting moments. It was enough to make your heart skip without drawing attention from the rest of the group.

“Alright, game time!” JD announced, grabbing a deck of cards off the coffee table. “Let’s get competitive.”

Austin groaned, holding up a hand. “As long as we’re avoiding Uno—nobody needs a repeat of last time.”

The room erupted into laughter, Drew smirking as he leaned in closer to you. His voice was low, meant just for you. “You playing, or just watching?”

“Depends,” you replied, turning your head slightly toward him. “Are you on my team?”

“Always,” he said smoothly, his fingers brushing yours for the briefest moment. The rest of the group was too busy arguing over the rules to notice the quiet exchange, but the electricity between you lingered, grounding you in the chaos of the room.

The game kicked off, and the cast’s playful banter filled the air. JD accused Madelyn of cheating, and Chase dramatically denied losing as the group burst into laughter. Drew stayed sharp and sarcastic, throwing in quips that had everyone in stitches, but you didn’t miss the moments when his gaze drifted to you, his smirk softening into something more private.

When the game wound down and the others were distracted, Drew leaned toward you, speaking softly. “Wanna help me grab more drinks?”