bed chem | drew starkey

CHAPTER 30

MID MARCH - LATE MARCH 2024

Aurora stayed like that for a while, lying beside Drew, letting the weight of her own words settle in her chest. I think I'm ready. She hadn't said it to him directly, but she knew it wouldn't be long before she did.

The sunset light filtered in through the living room curtains, casting a golden glow over the room. Drew stirred beside her, his grip instinctively tightening around her waist as he nuzzled his face into her shoulder.

She couldn't help but laugh. "Good morning to you too."

Drew groaned, his voice thick with sleep. "Too early."

Aurora turned in his hold, facing him. "It's almost 6 pm."

His eyes cracked open, and for a second, he just looked at her, blinking slowly like he was still processing the fact that she was actually there. Then, a lazy grin spread across his face. "You look pretty."

Aurora rolled her eyes but felt her cheeks warm anyway. "You're half-asleep."

"Doesn't make it any less true."

She let herself enjoy the moment, let herself soak in the way his hand absentmindedly rubbed small circles against her back, how effortless this all felt.

But then she remembered the tweets. The headlines. The world outside of this apartment.

Drew must've noticed the shift in her expression because he frowned. "What's wrong?"

Aurora hesitated for a second before sighing. "People are talking."

Drew stretched, letting his arm fall back over his forehead as he exhaled. "People always talk."

"Yeah, but..." She trailed off, biting her lip. "They're saying we should stop playing games."

He raised an eyebrow at that. "And what do you think?"

Aurora's stomach flipped. This was it. She could keep brushing it off, keep pretending she wasn't thinking about it. Or she could be honest.

She took a deep breath, met his gaze, and said, "I think they're right."

Drew stilled, his expression unreadable for a second. Then, slowly, his lips curved into a smirk. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

Aurora huffed out a laugh. "I don't know, what do you think I'm saying?"

Drew leaned in just a little, close enough that she could feel his breath against her lips. "That you're finally gonna let me take you on a real date."

Aurora swallowed, her heart hammering in her chest. "Yeah," she murmured. "I think I am."

Drew grinned, his fingers brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Took you long enough."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't fight her own smile. "Shut up."

Drew just laughed, tugging her closer. "Not a chance, pretty."

And for the first time in a long time, Aurora wasn't afraid of what came next.

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Aurora had always been someone who overthought things. Always weighing every possibility, every outcome, every potential way she could end up embarrassed or hurt. But right now, wrapped up in Drew's arms, his heartbeat steady beneath her cheek, she wasn't thinking at all.

For once, she was just feeling.

They stayed in bed for a while, neither of them in a rush to move.

But then Aurora's stomach growled, ruining the moment.