As Billie sat in the studio, the dim lighting giving the space a warm, cozy feel, she scrolled through her phone, mindlessly looking at more edits of Mars that had surfaced online. People had taken a serious interest in the pair, and their names seemed to trend almost daily now. Pictures of them at casual outings, grabbing coffee, or walking down the street had sparked rumors about their relationship. Some fans were convinced they were dating, while others just loved the chemistry between them.

Billie, leaning back in her chair, tapped through the latest edit. It was a slow-motion compilation of Mars laughing, her signature smirk on display, paired with a sweet romantic song. Billie's lips curled into a grin as she absentmindedly whispered to herself, "She's so fineeeee."

Finneas, seated at the keyboard across from her, let out a loud sigh, his fingers resting on the keys, waiting for her to return to focus. He shot her a look over his shoulder, exasperated but amused. "Are you seriously still watching those edits?"

Billie glanced up at her brother, a mischievous grin on her face. "I mean, can you blame me? Look at her!" She held up her phone, showing Finneas the latest video of Mars, who was rocking her casual hoodie and baggy pants while signing autographs outside an event.

Finneas shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yes, she's good-looking. But we've got a song to finish, Bill. Can you stop drooling over my friend for like five minutes and focus?"

Billie groaned but set her phone down on the table in front of her. "I *am* focused! It's just hard to concentrate when the literal hottest person I've ever met is all over my feed."

Finneas laughed, spinning in his chair to fully face her. "You are so gone for her, it's ridiculous."

Billie crossed her arms over her chest, playfully narrowing her eyes at him. "And I'm still pissed that you knew her first. How come you didn't introduce us sooner?"

Finneas shrugged, turning back to his keyboard and fiddling with a few keys. "Didn't think it was that big of a deal. I mean, we were just working on a project together. I didn't know you'd develop the world's biggest crush on her."

Billie scoffed, grabbing her phone again and scrolling through more pictures of Mars. She landed on one of the two of them from a few nights ago—Mars looking effortlessly cool in her black hoodie, while Billie wore her oversized jacket and sneakers. They had been leaving a late-night diner after an impromptu hangout, and fans had snapped pictures of them walking side by side, smiling and laughing.

Billie smiled to herself, remembering how natural it felt being around Mars. There was something about her—the way she moved, how she spoke, the gentle but confident way she carried herself—that made Billie's heart race. No matter how many times they hung out, she couldn't shake the butterflies that fluttered in her stomach every time Mars smiled at her, or called her "ma" in that smooth, accented voice.

Finneas's voice cut through her thoughts again. "You're doing it again."

Billie blinked and looked up at him. "Huh?"

"Staring off into space, probably thinking about Mars." He chuckled, playing a short melody on the keyboard. "Look, I know she's great, but we really do need to get this track finished."

Billie sighed, setting her phone face-down on the table, determined to at least try and focus. "Fine, fine. Let's work. But for the record, I'm not *just* thinking about Mars."

Finneas raised an eyebrow, clearly not believing her. "Right."

As they started working on the song again, Billie found it harder than ever to concentrate. Lyrics swirled in her mind, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Mars. Every time Finneas played a chord or suggested a melody, Billie imagined Mars's reaction—whether she'd like the song, whether she'd listen to it on repeat like Billie did with her tracks.

It was maddening, but also exhilarating.

After about ten minutes of pretending to focus, Billie gave up and leaned back in her chair again. "Okay, but seriously, how did you and Mars even meet? You never told me the full story."

Finneas paused his playing, giving Billie a side-eye. "Really? That's what you want to talk about right now?"

"Yep," Billie said, crossing her legs and leaning forward, fully invested in this conversation. "Spill."

Finneas chuckled, knowing there was no point in trying to get her to focus on the song now. He pushed his keyboard aside and turned to face her. "Alright, fine. We met at a party. I was working on a project with one of her producers, and she happened to be there. We talked music for a bit, hit it off, and next thing you know, we're in the studio working on a track."

Billie's eyes widened. "That's it? Just a random party?"

"Yeah. Nothing super dramatic or exciting," Finneas said, shrugging.

Billie shook her head in disbelief. "And you never thought, 'Hey, my sister would love this person'?"

Finneas laughed. "I didn't think I needed to play matchmaker. You two met on your own, didn't you?"

Billie grumbled, her fingers drumming on the table. "Still, I would've liked a heads-up."

"Why?" Finneas teased. "You scared you wouldn't have been able to keep your cool?"

Billie threw a pillow at him, laughing. "Shut up. I've been plenty cool."

"Right. 'Cool,'" Finneas said, throwing the pillow back at her. "Keep telling yourself that while you watch another ten edits of her."

Billie opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, her phone buzzed again. She glanced at the screen, her heart doing a little flip when she saw the familiar name light up.

Red<3: "What're you up to?"

Billie's fingers danced over the screen as she replied.

Billie: "Supposed to be working on a song, but Finneas keeps distracting me."

She sent the message with a grin, knowing full well it was her doing the distracting. A moment later, her phone buzzed again.

Red<3: "Oh, so it's his fault, huh?"

Billie bit her lip, chuckling softly as she replied.

Billie: "Absolutely. 100%."

Finneas caught the smile on her face and groaned dramatically. "Oh my god, Bill, *focus*!"

Billie waved him off, typing quickly.

Billie: "What are you up to?"

There was a short pause before Mars's response came through.

Red<3: "Just thinking about how I might need to steal you away from your brother. Sounds like you could use a break."

Billie's heart skipped a beat, and she tried to suppress the grin that spread across her face. She could practically hear Mars's deep voice in her head, that playful tone she always used when teasing her.

Billie: "Come save me then."

She looked up at Finneas, who was now rolling his eyes. "Let me guess—Mars is coming to rescue you from all this hard work?"

"Maybe," Billie said, winking at him.

Finneas laughed, shaking his head as he turned back to his keyboard. "Just don't expect me to be as patient with you next time."

Billie stood up, grabbing her phone and her bag, already texting Mars the address to the studio.

"Yeah, yeah," she said, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "We'll finish the song later. Maybe with some *inspiration* from Mars."

As Billie left the studio, her heart raced with anticipation. She couldn't deny it anymore—Mars had her completely hooked. And honestly? She didn't mind one bit.