— pairing: fwb!rafe x fwb!reader
— A/N: i wanted to write so much more but it already got so long so i paused but the next couple parts will be coming SOON!
you’d spent the whole weekend pretending not to think about rafe—by reorganizing your kitchen cabinets, binge-watching some crime documentary, even going on a walk like you were suddenly a girl who went on walks.
it didn’t work. not really.
so when your phone buzzed at exactly 11:13 a.m, you were mid-scroll on tiktok, curled up on your couch, still in his hoodie that he'd left before.
how was your date with mr. stares-at-trees
you stared at the message, thumb hovering.
for a second, you considered lying. saying it went amazing, just to get a reaction out of him. but the truth buzzed under your skin—tired and loud.
the reply came almost instantly.
ah. i knew something was wrong with him the second i saw him genuinely expressing interest in nature.
big red flag.
you smiled—couldn’t help it. something about his words softened that tight knot in your chest.
you curled further into your blanket, letting your fingers hover over the screen again, debating how much to say.
i tried.
i wanted to like him. he was nice.
and sweet.
and fine.
but he wasn’t you.
you stared at that last line. deleted it. retyped it. deleted it again.
it was just… off. like, everything looked right but didn’t feel right, y'know?
a pause. long enough that your stomach twisted. and then:
you waited. hoping. wanting him to say more. he did.
he didn’t open the door right, huh?
nope.
didn’t play obnoxiously loud music either.
you could practically hear him scoff.
you’d hate him. he called fries “empty calories.”
okay that’s actually criminal.
do i need to fight him?
you laugh quietly, tugging the hoodie sleeves over your fingers. your thumbs type before you can stop them.
you hold your breath. stare at the screen like it’s going to give you answers. finally, your phone buzzes again.
i missed you too.
friday sucked, by the way.
i didn’t mean to walk out like that.
your heart skips. once, twice.
okay maybe i did.
but i regretted it the second the door shut.
then why didn’t you come back?
because i didn’t want to say something dumb.
silence again. this time, it’s yours.
you can feel the shift. like something’s slowly tilting between you—dangerously close to spilling over.
you don’t think. you just type.
come over.
i still have your hoodie btw.
i'm wearing it if you don't mind
his response is almost instant.
somehow he managed to get here in less than ten minutes, like he’d been waiting for this all day. he’s got a bag slung over his shoulder, probably packed with snacks and drinks, like he knew you’d want to chill.
he doesn’t even knock. he never does anymore. just walks right in, like your door is always unlocked just for him.
“you really are in my hoodie,” he grins, eyes trailing you up and down as you flop back onto the couch.
“next time, don’t leave it here,” you tease, crossing your arms. “finder’s keepers, remember?”
“and losers weepers,” he laughs quietly, kicking off his shoes by the door.
it all felt so normal—the way he laughed, how easy the conversation was, the way his presence filled the room. like everything that happened on friday never did.
he plops down next to you, pulling a couple of bags out of the big one and setting them on the coffee table.
“brought reinforcements,” he says, holding up a bag of chips like it’s a trophy.
you roll your eyes but can’t hide your smile. “nice save.”
he nudges you with his elbow. “so, what’s the plan today? movies?"
"yep." you hand him the remote. "your pick."
"you must be feeling extremely generous today." he laughs. "you never let me pick." he grins, flipping through the streaming options like he’s scrolling through a menu at a fancy restaurant.
he settles in, stretches out his legs, and the whole room feels a little warmer just because he’s here. he’s quiet for a second, eyes on the screen, fingers absentmindedly crinkling the chip bag between you two. there’s an old movie playing but neither of you are really watching. it’s just background noise. the kind that fills the silence when two people don’t need to talk to feel comfortable.
"so," he says finally, voice low like he's not even sure if he's asking or just thinking out loud, "you doing anything for the fourth?"
you blink, caught off guard. “me?” you shift a little, tugging your legs up onto the couch. “nah. i mean, i guess not. no real plans.”
he hums, nodding slowly, like he's been waiting for that answer. he leans forward, elbows on his knees, the room lit only by the TV screen flickering blue across his face.
"what if..." he starts, then glances at you. "what if you came with me? to outer banks."
you laugh softly, raising an eyebrow. “to the outer banks? what, like to meet your family?”
“yeah. kinda.” he looks over at you, eyes soft but serious. “it’s this thing they do every year. big fourth of july party. in our beach house, food, fireworks. stupid games. bonfire stuff. it’s... chill. you’d like it.”
you stare at him, unsure what to say. it sounds nice—too nice, almost. and too personal.
“rafe, i don’t know. it’s your family’s thing. i don’t wanna be that girl who just shows up outta nowhere.”
he rolls his eyes, scoffing playfully. “first of all, you wouldn’t be that girl. second, you think anyone even knows half the people who come? last year some random guy just showed up. like, literally no one knew who invited him. he was just there.”
“he brought shrimp dip and left with someone’s grandma. legend.”
you laugh, and he smiles at the sound of it. then he leans back again, this time more relaxed, stretching one arm across the back of the couch behind you.
"i'm serious though," he adds after a beat, voice lower now. "you should come. it’s three days. we’d leave friday morning. just... the beach, sun, drinks and being away from all this for a bit.”
you glance around your apartment like it’s suddenly the most boring place on earth. “i don’t even have a swimsuit.”
“liar,” he grins, “i saw it in your drawer when i was looking for a charger that one time.”
your mouth drops open. “rafe!”
he shrugs, unapologetic. “i didn’t look on purpose. but you’ve got like, at least two cute ones.”
you roll your eyes but your cheeks burn anyway.
"honestly, all of them are cute on you." he shifts again, now fully facing you. “just come. you need a break. from this city. from whatever's been dragging you down lately. you don’t have to do anything, just... be there. with me.”
you hesitate. “you’ll be there the whole time?”
his gaze softens, the grin fading into something a little more real. “i wouldn’t leave you alone for a second.”
you let out a slow breath, feeling your chest loosen just a little. “okay,” you murmur. “yeah. okay. i’ll come.”
he lights up instantly, like you just said the exact thing he was hoping to hear. he grabs a chip, tosses it in the air, and catches it in his mouth like a dork.
“this is gonna be the best weekend of your life,” he says through a full mouth.
you shove his shoulder, laughing. “you’re disgusting.”
he grins. “and yet... you agreed to a whole trip with me. must mean something.”
the week went by fast. before you knew it, the two of you were on a plane, flying to the outer banks—paradise on earth. the kind of place that felt like summer even when it wasn’t.
you talked most of the way, stopping only when the snack cart came by. the conversation was easy. light. you joked about airport chaos, debated your snack choices, and even argued over the worst movies you’ve ever seen. it felt like you were just… friends again. maybe even more than that, but neither of you said it.
now, your empty chip bag lay crumpled in your lap. you stared down at it, trying not to let the nerves crawl too far up your spine.
“so,” you say, breaking the lull, “anything i should know before we land?”
rafe glances over, stretching a little in his seat. “about my family?”
you nod. “yeah. like… any advice? things not to say? who’s gonna hate me first?”
he lets out a low breath, thinking. “you already know sarah and wheezie.”
“uh huh,” you say. “your sisters.”
“right. wheezie’s cool. she already stalked your instagram, by the way.”
you blink. “you’re joking.”
“nope. told me she thinks you look too pretty to be real.”
you laugh, even if your stomach flips. “well, love her already.”
“yeah,” he smirks, “she’s the good one.”
you tilt your head. “and sarah?”
his smirk fades a bit. “she’s a ray of sunshine—if she likes you...which is hard to do so don’t take it personally if she gives you attitude.”
you nod slowly. “and your parents?”
rafe presses his lips together, staring down at his hands. “rose—my stepmom—never really liked me. she acts fake nice, so don’t fall for it.”
you narrow your eyes. “...your dad?”
he shifts in his seat, finally looking at you. “we uh—got into a fight. before i left.”
you wait, not saying anything.
“he wanted me to take over the family business. like, start working for him full-time, doing things his way. and i told him i didn’t want it. didn’t wanna be him. we haven’t talked since.”
you blink. “and now you’re just gonna show up with me like nothing happened?”
rafe runs a hand through his hair, sighing. “pretty much.”
you stare at him. “you’re insane.”
he smiles like it’s a compliment. “you’re just figuring that out now?”
you roll your eyes, but your fingers twitch toward his where they rest between you on the seat. he notices, glancing down, but doesn’t say anything.
“i just don’t wanna crash anything,” you say after a pause. “like… this is your family, and i don’t wanna be the random girl you brought home in the middle of a silent feud.”
he turns toward you more, voice softer now. “you’re not random. and if anything, you’re the only reason this won’t be a total disaster.”
you give him a skeptical look. “great. no pressure or anything.”
he grins. “you’ll be fine. they’re not exactly warm and fuzzy, but you’re… you. people like you.”
you stare at him for a second, surprised by the honesty. he doesn’t flinch. doesn’t joke to cover it up.
outside the window, the clouds are starting to thin, the ocean coming into view below—shimmering blue and endless. you don’t say anything. just rest your arm against his on the armrest. he doesn’t pull away.
the air felt heavier here. sticky and warm in a way that made your skin buzz. the kind of heat that clung to your clothes and made you feel like you were really in the south now.
rafe flagged down a cab outside the airport, tossing both your bags in the trunk before sliding in next to you.
you leaned your forehead against the window, already feeling the warmth through the glass. “it smells like ocean and sunscreen,” you muttered, half amused.
he chuckled. “welcome to the outer banks.”
the cab rolled forward, palm trees and flat, open roads blurring past. the sky stretched out wide and bright, streaked with little wisps of clouds. everything felt so green. louder, too. you could hear the bugs humming even with the windows up.
“it’s so weird,” you said quietly, eyes flicking from the docks to a bait shop to a surf shack with peeling paint. “it’s like… calm but not? i don’t know how to explain it.”
rafe glanced over at you. “feels like home.”
you looked at him. he looked out the window.
“how long has it been since you were here?” you asked.
he shrugged. “a year. feels longer.”
he didn’t answer right away. just tapped his fingers on his knee.
you reached out without thinking, placing your hand over his to stop the fidgeting. he looked down at it. then at you.
he gave a small nod. “yeah. we are.”
you drove in silence for a little while after that, your thumb absentmindedly tracing circles over his knuckles. then the cab turned and you saw it.
“oh my god,” you breathed.
the cab slowed down along the gravel drive, and your jaw literally dropped. the house was huge—white pillars, wraparound porch, massive lawn already strung up with fairy lights and red-white-and-blue decorations. people moved around the yard like ants, setting up tables and hauling coolers. there was even a huge american flag flapping dramatically in the breeze like it was from a movie or something.
“rafe,” you said, eyes still wide, “you didn’t tell me you were loaded.”
he just smirked and handed the driver some cash. “forgot to mention it.”
“forgot to—?” you shook your head. “you’re ridiculous.”
he got out and opened your door, looking annoyingly smug about your reaction. “come on. before you say something like ‘wow, this looks like a plantation.’ ”
“i was gonna say that!” you laughed, hopping out.
as soon as you stepped onto the gravel, someone called his name.
you turned to see a tall, perfectly dressed woman in a linen dress and chunky jewelry. she looked like she belonged on a magazine cover—flawless hair, tanned skin, a clipboard in one hand. she paused halfway through directing someone to hang a flag, eyes narrowing as she spotted the two of you.
“what are you doing here?” she asked sharply, stepping toward him.
rafe barely blinked. “hi, rose. missed you too.”
she raised an eyebrow, but then her gaze shifted—to you.
her expression changed just slightly. surprised. curious.
before rafe could answer, you stepped forward, offering a polite smile. “hi, i’m—”
“you’re the girl,” rose said, almost in disbelief. “the girl wheezie told me about."
you blinked, turning to rafe. “um… i guess?”
rose let out a soft laugh. “well. you’re the first one he’s ever brought home. that’s for sure.”
rafe rolled his eyes. “okay, thanks, rose. that’s enough for now.”
“i’m just saying,” she said innocently, “it’s nice to see he’s capable of caring about someone.”
he gave her a sarcastic smile. “always a pleasure.” then he gently pulled on your arm. “we’re gonna go inside now.”
as you walked toward the house, you leaned in, laughing. “so that’s the famous rose?”
“unfortunately,” he muttered.
you were still half-laughing when you reached the front steps—until a figure stepped around the corner of the porch. you froze. so did rafe.
the man in front of you was tall. broad with greyish hair, white button-up, drink in hand. he didn’t look surprised to see rafe. just tired.
“rafe,” he said flatly. "didn't think you'd come, son."
you felt rafe stiffen beside you. nobody moved. so you stepped forward.
“hi,” you said, holding out a hand, voice light but not shaky. “i’m y/n. it’s nice to meet you, mr. cameron.”
ward looked at you with a smile. he looked at your hand for half a second before shaking it. his grip was firm. warmer than you expected.
“nice to meet you too, call me ward.” he said. then glanced back at rafe. “didn’t know you were bringing a plus one.”
after a beat, ward turned to you and nodded once. “enjoy the party.”
he walked off without another word. you both stood there, quiet. you turned to rafe, voice soft. “you okay?”
his jaw was tight. too tight. he nodded. “yeah. come on.”
he opened the front door for you, and you stepped inside tannyhill. the air smelled like lemon cleaner and old wood. your shoes echoed faintly against the floors. and still, you looked at him again.
this time, he looked at you. really looked.
“i’m good,” he said quietly. “i got you, don’t i?”
you nodded. and walked in.
the house is warm and echoey, full of tall ceilings and the faint smell of fresh flowers. rafe kicks off his shoes by the front door like muscle memory, then glances back to make sure you're still with him. you are, wide-eyed and quiet, your bag slung over your shoulder.
"this place is insane," you whisper, spinning slowly as you take in the staircase and chandelier and that huge painting of someone you assume is his grandpa or some sort of ancestor.
rafe chuckles under his breath, brushing past you to open a door to the left. “c’mon. i’ll show you the kitchen. it’s like… actually my favorite part of the house. huge windows.”
you trail after him, still taking everything in. the floors gleam. every room is styled like a magazine shoot. rafe’s hand finds the small of your back without thinking, like he’s afraid you’ll get lost in here.
but before you even make it to the kitchen, there's a loud, dramatic gasp behind you.
“oh my god. you’re her,” someone squeals.
you turn just in time to see a blur of curly hair and jean shorts — wheezie, rafe’s youngest sister — practically launching herself toward you.
“uh—hi?” you laugh, caught off guard but kind of charmed.
“you’re so pretty,” she blurts, eyes wide. “like so much prettier than rafe described.”
“wheeze,” rafe mutters behind you, rubbing his hand over his face.
“what? you did!” she beams at you. “i’m wheezie. and i’ve been dying to meet you. i didn’t even think you were real for a second.”
you grin, feeling a little less nervous. “nice to meet you, wheezie. thanks for the warm welcome.”
wheezie grins back like she’s already planning a sleepover and spa day. just then, footsteps echo from the other side of the hallway, and sarah appears, her arms crossed over her chest, an eyebrow raised.
“what’s going on?” she asks, clearly trying to assess the situation.
wheezie spins to face her. “this is y/n,” she announces like she’s breaking the biggest news of the year. “rafe’s friend.”
sarah blinks, then looks at you with a small polite smile. “hey,” she says. “i’m sarah.”
you smile softly. “hi. i’ve heard so much about you.”
“same.” her tone is nice, but there’s something a little cautious in her eyes — like she’s still deciding how she feels about you. like maybe she’s trying to figure out why her brother, of all people, brought someone home.
rafe steps between you slightly, casually placing a hand at your waist. “okay, tour continues,” he says, clearly trying to move things along before anyone says anything weird.
you catch sarah’s glance flick to his hand and back to your face. she doesn’t say anything, just nods and leans back against the wall.
“see you around,” she says.
wheezie waves way too enthusiastically. “bye! don’t let him show you his weird lego collection!”
“shut up, wheeze,” rafe groans as he pulls you down the hallway, but he’s smiling too. and you are too. because so far? this doesn’t feel as scary as you thought.
"your weird lego collection?" you snorted.
"nope. not doing this today."
"i've gotta see it now." you laughed as rafe lead to to the backyard, opening the door.
"no way. never letting you near that."
"guess i'll have to ask wheezie." you cross your arms. he pauses and turn to you, his face dead serious.
"kidding." you grin back.
they followed the path behind tannyhill, past the trimmed hedges and towering oak trees, their steps soft against the gravel. cicadas buzzed in the distance, and the air smelled like salt, sunscreen, and freshly cut grass.
you didn’t realize where you were going until the trees opened up and the boathouse came into view—sitting pretty by the edge of the marsh, all white wood and dark trim, its dock stretching out like an invitation.
"this way," rafe said, glancing back at you with a grin.
you stepped inside and your mouth kind of fell open. boats. so many boats. not all fancy, but each one looked cared for—like someone had taken the time to clean and store them just right. the sun streamed through open windows, hitting the water outside and dancing across the walls.
“oh my god,” you whispered. “this is insane.”
rafe looked proud. “this was my favorite spot as a kid. i used to sneak out here all the time. sarah would rat me out, obviously.”
you laughed softly, still taking it all in. you wandered toward the back where a smaller boat sat tucked into the corner. the name wendy was painted in faded pink across the side.
“okay, no. this one’s adorable.”
rafe smirked. “sarah named her after some cartoon character she was obsessed with. wouldn’t let dad change it, even though he tried.”
you turned to him, already climbing into it. “can we take her out?”
he didn’t even hesitate. “hop in.”
you did, and he untied the rope with easy, practiced movements. then you were gliding—quietly—out of the dock and into the golden stretch of marshland.
the water reflected the sky, which was already shifting into that dreamy late-afternoon haze. dragonflies skimmed the surface, and the tall reeds whispered around you. rafe drove slow, letting you take it all in.
you leaned over the edge, fingers trailing in the water. “this is literally the prettiest place i’ve ever seen.”
he glanced sideways at you. “thought you might like it.”
after a while, you both fell into a peaceful rhythm. just talking. joking. pointing out birds or laughing at old stories from your childhoods. and then, somewhere between the turn past an old shrimp shack and a slow bend around the marsh…
“i think you should talk to your dad,” you said gently.
rafe’s shoulders tensed almost immediately.
you noticed it right away. “i just mean… earlier, when we saw him? you looked upset. and i know you’re allowed to feel that way, but maybe it’d help to talk to him.”
he didn’t say anything for a second. just kept his eyes ahead, jaw tight.
“it’s not about me trying to fix anything,” you added. “i just… i see how much stuff’s on your chest. and i don’t think it has to be.”
he finally looked at you. not mad. just… guarded. “you don’t know what he’s like, y/n.”
“you’re right. i don’t,” you said honestly. “but i know you. and i know how much it’s bothering you, even if you try to play it off.”
he let out a breath, then leaned back in the seat, hand running through his hair.
“i’ll talk to him,” he muttered. “not right now. but... i’ll do it. for you.”
your heart tugged at that. “for you would be better.”
“maybe. baby steps.” he cracked a tiny smile.
you bumped his shoulder. “i’ll take it.”
they cruised out of the marsh and into the open inlet near the town. rafe steered the boat to a quiet downtown dock where small boats lined the sides and little shops spilled golden light onto the sidewalk. it was the kind of evening that felt unreal—like the town itself had slowed down to breathe.
you wandered the streets together, eating soft-serve from a roadside cart, your fingers sticky and smiles soft. you kept stealing glances at him. he looked lighter out here. freer.
you were halfway through your ice cream when a voice called out, “rafe?”
you turned just in time to see two boys walking toward you, big grins on their faces.
“dude!” the blonde clapped him on the back. “you’re back and you didn’t say anything?”
“just got in,” rafe said easily. “figured i’d surprise everyone.”
the other one glanced at you. “you gonna introduce us to this pretty girl?”
“this is y/n,” rafe said, giving you that look again—the one that said he was proud to be standing next to you. “she’s with me.”
the blonde one nodded, smiling. “i'm topper.”
“kelce,” the other one added added. “welcome to the obx.”
you smiled back, cheeks a little warm. rafe’s hand brushed yours as they kept talking, and this time, you didn’t pull away.
the boat ride back was quiet, soft splashes of water against the hull and the fading pink light of the sunset casting everything in a golden haze. you watched the sky shift colors, feeling the calm settle in your chest. rafe steered the small boat with ease, occasionally glancing your way, a small smile playing on his lips.
when you finally pulled up to the dock, rafe jumped off first and held out his hand to help you onto solid ground. you grinned and took it, feeling the familiar warmth in his touch.
back at the house, rafe led you inside, kicking off his shoes by the door. he led you upstairs to the second floor. “here’s your room,” he said, pushing open a door at the end of the hallway. the room was cozy, sunlight filtering through light curtains, a neatly made bed, and a desk cluttered with a few books and photos.
“this is nice,” you said, dropping your bag on the bed and looking around.
he nods, looking around before talking again. “need help unpacking or anything?”
you shook your head, smiling. “i’m good for now.”
just then, wheezie popped her head in, eyes bright. “rose is calling you two down for dinner! we’re setting up outside.”
rafe glanced at you, then said, “give us five minutes.”
“okay, hurry!” wheezie said before slipping away.
you turned back to rafe, smiling softly. “thanks for bringing me here.”
he blushed, a shy kind of proud smile crossing his face as he tried his best to hide the redness in his cheeks.
after five minutes, you both headed downstairs. outside, the backyard was buzzing with quiet activity. sarah, ward, wheezie, and rose were busy setting the table with candles, bowls of food, and pitchers of drinks. the warm glow of lanterns mixed with the last light of dusk made everything feel soft and inviting.
you caught rose’s eye and walked over. “want some help?”
rose looked up, a warm smile spreading across her face. “if you really want to.” she handed you a big bowl of salad.
as you helped arrange the food, you didn't notice the fact that rafe was watching you from across the table, a small smile tugging at his lips. wheezie caught his gaze and nudged him playfully. “just friends, my ass.” she whispered.
rafe gave her a quick smack on the head, grinning back.
when it was time to eat, rafe pulled out the seat next to him, and you slid in without hesitation.
for a while, the clanking of plates and spoons was all you heard. the room was warm—lit with that soft yellow glow of overhead lights and late summer still clinging to the open windows. everything smelled like rosemary and something slightly burnt, probably wheezie’s contribution.
rose was the one to break the silence.
“so, y/n.” she glanced up from her plate. “rafe told me you're a recruiter. his recruiter.”
you set your glass down with a small nod. “yeah. got lucky with that assignment.”
she tilted her head, eyes sharp even under her polite smile. “guess so,” she said lightly, like she didn’t fully believe it.
rafe shifted a little beside you, his arm brushing yours under the table. it wasn’t anything big, but it was steady—like he wanted you to know he was there.
“what do you usually do?” ward asked, voice low but curious. “travel a lot?”
“not too much anymore,” you answered. “mostly office work now—virtual interviews, onboarding, a lot of spreadsheets.”
he nodded, chewing quietly. “where are you from?”
“new york,” you said, offering a small smile. “born and raised. just me and my mom.”
you didn’t expect sarah to chime in, but she leaned forward slightly, eyebrows raised. “you’re so lucky. i’ve always wanted to live in new york.”
you turned to her, a little surprised but happy she was talking to you. “yeah, it has its perks. but sometimes the city feels too big. like… you could be surrounded by people and still feel kinda alone.”
rafe glanced at you then, like he wanted to say something, but sarah beat him to it.
“i get that,” she said softly.
“probably not as lonely with rafe, huh?” wheezie teased, reaching for the bread basket.
rafe choked on his food. you blinked and turned toward him as he coughed into his napkin, ears going pink.
“wheezie,” rose warned, narrowing her eyes.
wheezie grinned innocently. “what? i’m just saying. you two are always—”
“we're friends” rafe cut in quickly, wiping his mouth. “don't push it wheeze.”
you bit back a laugh, nudging his knee under the table. he gave you a look—mock offense, fake betrayal—but you just grinned and took another sip of your drink.
rose gave rafe a knowing look and stood up after nudging ward to follow her and get something from the kitchen. the moment she was gone, sarah leaned toward you.
“so wait—how’d you even end up here? like… working with rafe?” she asked, genuinely curious.
“we're not exactly working anymore,” you said. “but somehow rafe cameron got on my schedule, had to pick him up from the airport, find him a place at gq magazine”
“and she did.” rafe added.
“somehow, they ended up liking him even after seeing his insane superiority complex”
he gasped, all mock hurt. “hey—" he turned to wheezie and sarah. "do not have that."
“did too. you made fun of the sign i made you.” you said, laughing now.
"it was the most low-effort welcome, ever." he throws his hands up laughing. "paper stolen from another person and my name written in lipstick."
"that complex is showing." you tease him.
sarah chuckled into her glass. rafe leaned back in his chair, arms crossed loosely, eyes locked on yours. “uh huh. yet you still decided to be friends with me.”
you tried not to smile, teasing him. “i guess you grew on me.”
he didn’t look away. “like a fungus.”
you both laughed, and when you glanced back at sarah, she was smiling too. not that tight forced thing from earlier—this one was real. like maybe you weren’t just a stranger anymore.
and even though you didn’t see it, rafe was watching the way you were fitting in—how your voice carried in his house like it belonged. his gaze lingered for a second too long.
wheezie leaned over and whispered to sarah, “they’re flirting so much it’s making me feel like a third wheel.”
“it’s making me hungry,” sarah whispered back, stealing another roll.
“you’re always hungry,” rafe muttered, launching a crouton at sarah’s head.
you just smiled, quietly, heart a little full as the conversation moved on around you.
because maybe this was just a dinner, and maybe you were just a friend—but oh did this moment make you want to be more.
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