After wrapping up our arcade adventures, the late afternoon sun cast a golden hue over the mall’s parking lot, bathing everything in a warm, nostalgic glow. We meandered through the crowd, spirits high from the laughter and camaraderie we’d shared. Drew’s car waited near the entrance, and just as we reached it, my phone buzzed—a call from Mom. I answered briefly, assuring her I’d be home soon.
Drew jingled his keys and unlocked the doors. “Hop in,” he said, voice tinged with fatigue and satisfaction. “I’ll drop you off first,” he nodded to me, “then Melissa and Rhys.”
We piled in, the familiar scent of Drew’s cologne mingling with the crisp air. The drive was quiet, filled with soft conversation and reflections on the day. Melissa and Rhys chatted in the back, their laughter a comforting
