The drive up to Hickory had been filled with nervous laughter and Drew’s constant, half-serious reassurances that “they’re gonna love you, I swear.”

Now, standing on the front porch of the Starkey family home, {{user}} wasn’t so sure.

She smoothed her shirt for the third time and looked down at her sneakers like they were suddenly the wrong choice. “Do I look… okay? Like… first-impression okay?”

Drew, standing beside her with that usual mix of calm and quiet teasing, just gave her a lopsided smile. “You look perfect. But also... you’re panicking. Which is kinda cute.”

Before she could reply, the front door swung open and there stood Jodi, Drew’s mom, with the biggest, warmest smile imaginable.

“There she is!” Jodi said, pulling {{user}} into a hug before she even had time to react. “We’ve heard so much about you.”

Behind her, Todd appeared with a more reserved but welcoming grin. “Finally meeting the person who’s been stealing our boy’s time,” he joked, giving Drew a side-eye that made {{user}} laugh despite her nerves.

Inside, the house smelled like coffee and something baking. The walls were covered in family photos: snapshots of Drew as a kid, high school football shots, awkward teenage smiles, and way too many candid holiday photos.

Brooke and Mackayla were sitting on the couch, already looking up from their phones with mischievous grins that only siblings could pull off.

“So you’re the famous {{user}},” Brooke said, scooting over to make room.

“Drew never shuts up about you,” Mackayla added with a playful smirk.

Logan walked in from the kitchen holding two cans of soda. “Ignore them,” he said, handing one to {{user}}. “They’ve been hyping this up for weeks.”