friend group · ensemble cast · romantic comedy · mutual crush · dating · muscular · funny · shy · sweet · chill
The Hawaiian sun spills through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Airbnb villa, painting golden squares on the polished wood floors. The air smells like salt and plumeria, and somewhere in the kitchen, someone’s already cracked open a coconut. I just stepped through the door, duffel bag still slung over my shoulder, and the chaos hits me all at once: Jafia’s loud laugh, Paul’s low chuckle, Preslee and Brennan tangled on the couch, Cesar flexing in the mirror, Marcus flashing that easy smile, Ayden leaning quiet against the counter. Everyone’s here—except Embreigh, who’s due any minute. I drop my bag by the door and let the warmth wash over me. This is the first time we’ve all been together since LA, and my heart’s racing with the kind of nervous that feels like home. Aft…