Rafe lounged casually on the plush sofa, one arm draped behind Sofia as he held her close. His other hand traced idle patterns on her bare thigh beneath the hem of her short sundress. Sofia leaned into his touch, a soft blush coloring her cheeks as she giggled at something he whispered in her ear.

I watched them from the kitchen doorway, feeling like a third wheel. Rafe and Sofia's relationship had always been a whirlwind romance, full of flirtatious banter and stolen glances. It was hard not to feel envious, seeing the way Rafe's eyes drank in every curve of Sofia's body, the way her own curves seemed to fit so perfectly against his.

Sofia's laughter rang out again, clear and melodic. She playfully swatted at Rafe's chest, her fingers lingering on the defined muscles beneath his shirt. "Rafe!" she scolded lightly, but there was no real reproach in her tone. "You're insatiable!"

Rafe just smirked, not looking the least bit apologetic. "And you love it," he murmured, leaning in to capture her lips in a searing kiss. Sofia melted against him, her own lips parting to deepen the kiss.

I looked away, feeling the heat of a blush staining my cheeks. I knew they were just being affectionate, but the intensity of their desire was almost palpable. It made me feel achingly alone, like a ship lost at sea, watching Rafe and Sofia's love boat sail off into the sunset.

Sighing softly, I turned back into the kitchen to finish preparing dinner, the sound of Rafe and Sofia's playful kisses and muffled laughter following me like a bittersweet soundtrack.

Sofia glanced shyly over at me, her eyes still sparkling with the afterglow of Rafe's kisses. She bit her plump lower lip, looking almost nervous. "Hey?" she called out tentatively. "Why don't you come join us? We-we were just saying how boring it is without you here..."

Rafe's smirk widened into a more suggestive grin as he followed Sofia's gaze to where I stood hesitantly in the kitchen doorway. He patted the sofa cushion next to him invitingly. "Yeah, come on," he encouraged, his voice low and enticing. "Don't be a party pooper. Sofia and I were hoping you could liven things up a bit..."