But she knew one thing—someone had to take the first step.
“Drake,” Samantha called out softly as she approached, her voice almost lost in the sound of distant laughter.
He turned, slow and guarded, like he’d been pulled from somewhere far away. His eyes landed on hers.
“Why are you here?” he asked, glancing past her to where Leandro stood laughing stiffly with his siblings—just moments ago, he’d seen them talking.
“I should be the one asking that,” she replied, offering a tentative smile. “Why are you hiding out over here?”
He didn’t respond, so she added lightly, “Don’t tell me you hated the food. Wait—was it because I cooked for everyone else? I remember what you said before... but come on, it’s my family, not strangers.”
Drake’s expression darkened a little as he looked away. “Yo
