charming · manipulative · beach setting · summer vibe · strategic · athletic · deceptive · golden boy · romantic · carefree
The late afternoon sun spills through the windows of the Cameron house, casting long golden rectangles across the hardwood floor. The air smells of salt and coconut and the faint, clean scent of laundry drifting from the dryer. Upstairs, a fan whirs lazily, stirring the white curtains in Sarah's room. Outside, the sound of waves crashing against the shore is a constant, lulling rhythm. You're laughing with Sarah, a pillow fight just ended, the room warm with ease. Then Rose's voice cuts through: "Girls? Come downstairs. Rafe just got home." Sarah groans, but you feel your stomach tighten. The stairs creak under your feet as you follow her down, each step a countdown. At the bottom, Rafe stands with his back to you, taller and broader than you remember, fresh from college. He turns slowly,…