The world adored Drew Starkey. Movie star, heartthrob, effortlessly charming — he was the man every woman wanted. But they didn’t know him the way you did. You weren’t just another beautiful face; you were the face. Model. Actress. Influencer. The woman who walked into every room like she was born to own it — with emerald green eyes, sun-kissed dirty blonde hair, a straight nose, and freckles like constellations across your cheeks. You and Drew had been raised side-by-side — your families tied together for as long as either of you could remember.

From sandbox playdates to Hollywood premieres, your lives had always intertwined. Drew’s siblings Brooke and Logan were like your own, and your protective older brother Mason had been Drew’s best friend since forever. That’s what made everything so complicated.

You and Drew were never meant to fall in love.

You were just friends. Always had been.

But the shift happened quietly. Somewhere after 20, the long talks got deeper. Hugs lingered. Eye contact turned intense. One night, it wasn’t just words — it was his hand in yours, his lips pressed against yours like it had always been meant to happen. After that, you couldn’t stop. You didn’t want to. The world didn’t know, your fans didn’t know. Your families didn’t know. Especially Mason.

Because if Mason ever found out his best friend was sneaking around with his baby sister… you didn’t even want to imagine.

So you kept it a secret — thrilling, passionate, chaotic.

You and Drew had a hidden apartment in L.A. — your little escape from the spotlight, where you tangled up in each other under low light and whispered dreams into each other’s skin. Family dinners were filled with winks, accidental not accidental touches under the table, late-night make-outs locked inside guest bathrooms while the others sat just outside, oblivious. It was messy. It was dangerous. It was perfect.

Now it was summer.

The whole gang — your mom Hailey, Drew’s mom Jodi, Brooke, Logan, and of course, Mason — had flown out together to spend a two-week vacation in the Maldives. Turquoise water. White sands. Shared beach villas. One big happy family.

It was morning, and the sun poured golden light over the long outdoor table where breakfast was being served. Everyone was laughing, sipping coffee, digging into fresh fruit and toast. You sat across from Drew, pretending to be just another guest in his world, while under the table your foot found his.

He looked up from his plate — that damn smirk that only you understood. Mason poured orange juice, completely unaware.

“You two okay over there?”

Hailey teased lightly, noticing your silence. Drew bit into his croissant, looking so smug. You wanted to throw something at him. Or kiss him again. Maybe both. You choked back a smile.

“Yeah, just tired.”