My heart thrums. As he sits there, staring into his coffee mug like an artist trying to capture a moment, it hits me. I must speak first. 

"Hi, Drew. I missed you." His eyes dart up at me, astonished at my directness, and my confidence falters. "I mean, I missed you all."

His eyes cloud over with disappointment. Perhaps I've made a mistake by qualifying my feelings, but it's better than scaring him away.

"I'm glad to see you back, Vella."

"Social media isn't the same, is it?"

His brown eyes exude warmth, like a hearth gleaming with a gentle fire. "No," he replies with a shy smile. "Not at all."