Page 51 of Picture Us

With a smile, Drew disappeared into the crowd.

As she watched them go, all of the noise of the party rose. She hadn’t realized how quiet everything felt when Drew was around. She felt lonely in their absence.

She wasn’t sure when she had started searching for Drew in every crowd. But even now, all she could do was wait for them to come back to her.

19

DREW

They partedthe crowd as they headed toward the open bar. Drew wasn’t entirely sure what Rose drank on a regular basis, but they would have to guess.

“What can I get for you?” The bartender asked as Drew landed at the bar.

Resting their elbow on the slick wood, Drew looked up at the menu. “Can I do a whiskey ginger and a…”

Their eyes struggled to find something to settle on. Sensing their floundering, the bartender smiled. “We’ve got a signature mojito for the engagement party.”

“That will work,” Drew laughed as they started making the drinks. Drew tapped their finger on the bartop as their gaze wandered the party. It was a nice crowd, everyone dressed up and happy.

Their gaze landed on Rose; her red hair was a beacon in the dull crowd. A smile took over their face watching her talk until they realized who she was talking to.

Fucking Shannon.Drew’s temple tensed as they stood taller. Of course she was here.

“Here you are.” The sound of two glasses meeting the wood broke Drew’s trance.

“Cheers.” Drew nodded to the bartender and set a five dollar tip on the counter. With a deep breath filling their lungs, Drew parted the crowd to meet Rose.

Drew lightly tapped Rose’s exposed biceps with the cool glass. She jumped lightly, a blush setting in as soon as she saw Drew.

“For you,” Drew smiled back, forgetting for just a moment that Shannon was still lingering.

She took the drink in her hands and took a sip. “Oh, that’s a good mojito.” She snapped her fingers. “Drew, look who’s here!”

Drew nodded. “The infamous Shan. Small world.”

They shook hands, and Shannon eyed the duo carefully, sensing something was going on between them.

Shannon shook her head. “So, you two still hanging out?”

“Well, we still have a lot of work to get done.” Rose cleared her throat.

Getting the message, Shannon nodded. “Right, right. Cool. I’m gonna grab a drink.” Placing a hand on Rose's forearm, Shannon smiled at her. “I’ll catch you later?”

Rose only offered a slight smile as Shan disappeared into the crowd.

That was bold.Drew rolled their eyes. Shannon was messy, always trying to stake a claim to someone that wasn’t hers. As ridiculous as she was, though, a part of Drew kind of admired her confidence.

“That was…” Drew shook their head.

“No kidding.” Rose let her hand graze Drew’s, sparks flying as their skin touched.

But Rose’s words lingered in their head.Was this only about work for her?Because it may have started that way for Drew, but the longer they hung out, the less certain Drew was that this was just casual.

“Just work, huh?” The words left Drew’s mouth before they could stop them. They took a sip of the whiskey ginger, sucked their teeth as the warm, bitter liquid heated their throat.

Rose turned to look at them, her eyes narrowed and burning with desire. “Did it bother you?”

Drew opened their mouth to answer. But Fin’s loud voice boomed. “Rose, Drew! I have someone you need to meet!”

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