The party was full of laughter, bodies packed into the dimly lit house, and music thumping softly under it all. You weren’t drinking tonight—just not in the mood. But Drew? Drew was gone.

He’d been drinking since before you even arrived, and by the time you found him, he was already in full golden-retriever-drunk mode: flushed cheeks, starry eyes, and that goofy grin that only came out when he was three drinks past tipsy.

You were sitting on the couch, scrolling on your phone, when he stumbled over and dropped beside you like a weighted blanket, long arm slung instantly across your shoulders.

“There she is,” he slurred into your hair, nuzzling your temple with absolutely no regard for personal space—not that you minded.

“Hi, Drew,” you murmured, amused, smoothing his disheveled curls. “You alright?”

“Mmm,” he hummed. “You smell good. You always smell good. Like… like happiness or somethin’.”

You laughed. “You’re very drunk.”

“And you’re veeeery pretty,” he countered, lips brushing your cheek. “God, look at you. Look at this face. How’d I get this lucky?”

“You didn’t,” you teased. “I drove myself here.”

He blinked like that was the most profound thing he’d ever heard, then hugged you so hard you had to let out a little oof.

“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” he mumbled against your shoulder, voice a little wobbly. “No, no seriously. You don’t get it. You’re like… sunshine. But hot. And funny. And you don’t leave me on read like some people do, Rudy!” he suddenly yelled across the room.

Rudy, from across the kitchen, raised his glass and shouted back, “Damn, my bad!”

Drew ignored him and turned back to you, cupping your face clumsily in both hands like you were made of glass. “This is my girl,” he said to no one in particular, grinning. “Mine. Isn’t she unreal?”

You snorted. “You’re gonna regret saying all this tomorrow.”

“I’ll never regret you,” he said with complete conviction, then kissed your nose and melted into your neck again. “You’re my safe place. Like. When everything’s loud. You’re the quiet part.”

Your heart did a full somersault.