"Uncle Adam!"
Lara lit up and ran straight into his arms, hugging him tightly before turning to greet Mina with the same warmth.
"Adam!" Ben exclaimed, pulling his old friend into a hug. "God, it's been ages. How are you, buddy?"
It was a reunion eighteen years in the making—two childhood best friends finally standing face to face again.
Adam had always adored Lara. He'd watched her grow up, teased her, played with her whenever he visited. He was part of her earliest, safest memories. The only part of those memories she didn't like was his son—rude, blunt, and annoying—the boy she'd met barely two or three times and never warmed up to.
The party rolled on. The house was alive with laughter, conversations overlapping, plates refilled, glasses clinking. Soon, music took over, and families paired up, stepping onto the dance floor to enjoy the moment.
Nick was just about to ask Lara for a dance when, without warning, she was yanked into a pair of strong, unfamiliar arms.
"May I have the pleasure of this dance, my lady?" the man said with a crooked smirk, already pulling her into motion before she could protest.
"You—?!" Lara gasped as he spun her effortlessly. "Wait. How are you here? Why are you here? Who the hell even let you in?"
"One question at a time, little rabbit," he chuckled, drawing her closer.
She glared up at him. "Fine. Who let you in?"
"Your dad," he replied casually, twirling her away and pulling her back against his chest.
Her eyebrows shot up. "Why are you here?"
"To celebrate Uncle Ben's birthday."
"Uncle—?" She froze mid-step. "Wait. Don't tell me you're that rude kid. Uncle Adam's son?"
"Not sure about rude," he said lightly, clearly enjoying the shock on her face, "but yes."
Her expressions flickered—recognition, disbelief, irritation—while he watched every second of it like it was entertainment.
Noticing the unfamiliar young man with Lara, Adam and Ben walked over.
"Happy birthday, Uncle Ben," the man said warmly.
Ben stared at him for a second, then burst out laughing, slapping his shoulder. "No way. Zain Adam? Look at you—grown into a fine man! Damn, I wouldn't have recognized you if you hadn't spoken."
Adam laughed, pride unmistakable, and formally introduced Zain to Sam and Lara.
From a distance, Nick watched, jaw tightening.
He hated how easily Zain held her. How natural it looked. For years, Nick had hovered around Lara—waiting, hoping she'd see him as more than a friend. Since they were fourteen, he'd stayed close, patient, careful.
But Lara had never looked at him the way she was looking at Zain now.
Half annoyed.
Half unsettled.
And completely unable to look away.