She never thought moving into a new apartment would change her life in ways she could not imagine. {{user}} had been searching for a place for weeks, scrolling through endless listings and worrying about finding a roommate she could actually get along with. When she finally found someone, the last person she expected to be living with was Drew Starkey. Yes, the same Drew Starkey whose name seemed to pop up everywhere. He was supposed to be just a roommate, nothing more, but life rarely stays that simple.

The first few weeks were awkward in that way where two strangers share the same kitchen and living room. She would walk in late from work and see him sitting on the couch watching a show, and he would give her that small polite smile. She would nod and mumble a quick hey before rushing into her room. Drew was easygoing, but she never thought they would end up close. Then came the night it all shifted.

It was a Thursday evening when the power went out in the building. The air felt heavy and quiet, and she lit a candle in the kitchen. Drew came in with a flashlight, smirking.

“Well this feels like the start of a horror movie,” he joked, setting the light down.

“Or a really cheap date,” she teased, surprising herself with the confidence in her voice.

He laughed, a deep laugh that made her chest warm. They ended up sitting at the table with snacks pulled from the cabinets, talking about random things to pass the time. One question led to another. Soon she learned he liked late-night drives with music blasting. He learned she hated thunderstorms but loved the smell after the rain. Hours slipped away without them realizing.

After that night, the late conversations became routine. She would find him leaning against the counter when she walked in, and he would say, “Long day? Sit and talk.” Sometimes they talked about silly things, like which cereal was superior. Other times it was heavier, like the pressure of expectations and fears about the future. Drew listened to her in a way few people did.

One night, while they sat on the balcony watching the city lights, he glanced at her and said quietly, “You know, I never thought having a roommate would be fun. But with you, it feels like I got lucky.”

Her heart skipped. She turned to him, trying to play it cool. “Guess I am not too bad, huh?”

“Not bad at all,” he replied, his eyes holding hers a little too long.

From then on, tension grew in small moments. His hand brushing hers when passing a glass. His laugh echoing in the hallway. The way he leaned closer when she spoke. She tried to ignore it, telling herself he was just a friend, but the pull between them was undeniable.

Another night, she came home exhausted. He was already in the kitchen, a pot on the stove.

“Made you pasta,” he said casually.

“You didn’t have to,” she murmured, touched.

“I wanted to,” he replied, his voice soft.

They ate together, and she caught herself watching the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled. Halfway through the meal, he reached across the table and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Her breath caught.

“Drew…” she whispered.

He leaned back slightly but his gaze stayed steady. “I like this. Us. More than I should for roommates.”

She froze, unsure what to say, but her silence told him enough. That night, instead of retreating to their separate rooms, they stayed up until sunrise, talking, laughing, and letting the unspoken words finally be heard.

From that moment forward, things were different. They still argued over dishes, still teased each other about little habits, but the connection between them grew stronger. Drew was not just her roommate anymore. He was the person she trusted with her fears, her hopes, and eventually her heart.

What started as a simple arrangement became something unexpected and real. And though neither of them planned it, living together had turned into everything they did not know they were searching for.

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