S A R A H

As soon as I step through the front door, the party atmosphere hits me like a wave. Flashing lights, loud music, and the smell of snacks and perfume hanging in the air.

It's like I've walked into a different world, one where worries don't exist, at least for tonight. I scan the room, searching for a familiar face, and then I hear it.

"Sarah!" Nayla's voice cuts through the noise, high-pitched and excited. I turn just in time to see her running toward me, arms wide open.

"Nayla!" I squeal back, meeting her halfway for a tight hug. It's been months since we've seen each other, but it feels like no time has passed at all.

"Girl, look at you!" Nayla pulls back, eyeing me up and down. "You look stunning! And that dress? Ugh, I'm stealing it after tonight."

She grabs my hand, pulling me deeper into the house. "Come on, everyone's in the kitchen. We're just about to cut the cake."

I let her drag me along, my earlier nerves dissolving into pure excitement. It's so good to be around friends again, to just... let loose for once.

We reach the kitchen, and it's packed. Balloons hang from the ceiling, and there's a giant banner that reads Happy Birthday, Nayla! pinned above the counter. The birthday cake is a colourful monstrosity with way too many sprinkles, but it's perfect for her.

"Alright, everyone, gather around!" Nayla announces, clapping her hands to get everyone's attention. She flashes me a grin. "Sarah, you're doing the honors. I need my angel by my side."

I roll my eyes but take my place next to her as she gets ready to cut the cake.

"Alright, make a wish!" someone shouts from the back, and Nayla closes her eyes dramatically, hands clasped together as if she's praying.

"Please make my bestie here rich so that i can get an expensive gift every day," she whispers loudly enough for everyone to hear, making the whole room burst into laughter.

The knife cuts through the cake, and everyone cheers, clapping and whistling. Nayla grabs a piece and, of course, smashes it right into my face.

"Oh, you did not just do that!" I yell, wiping frosting off my cheek, but I'm laughing too hard to be mad. I grab a handful of cake and fling it back at her. By the time we're done, we're both covered in frosting, breathless from laughter.

"I missed this," I tell Nayla as we lean against the counter, catching our breath.

"Me too," she admits, pulling me into another quick hug.

I nod, wiping my face with tissues. Before I can respond, a pair of hands cover my eyes. "Guess who?" the voice says, low and teasing.

I freeze for a second, but then a smile breaks out on my face. "No way... Ryan?"

I turn around, and there he is, grinning.

"The one and only," he says, spreading his arms wide.

"Ryan!" I scream, launching myself into his arms. He lifts me effortlessly, spinning me around.

"You haven't changed a bit," he laughs, setting me down but keeping his hands on my shoulders. "Except... you've gotten shorter."

"Hey!" I slap his arm, pretending to be offended. "You just got taller, that's all."

Ryan chuckles, ruffling my hair. "Missed you, Spark."

"Missed you too," I admit, feeling a warmth I haven't felt in a long time. It's like no time has passed between us.

Nayla clears her throat loudly, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "So, Ryan, are you staying for the rest of the party? Or are you taking our girl away?"

"Nah, I've got time," Ryan says with a wink. "But only if there's more cake. Preferably one that hasn't been thrown across the room."

We all laugh, and someone starts handing out more slices.

Ryan keeps stealing glances at me, and every time I catch him, he just gives me that lazy grin of his. Nayla eventually drags Ryan into a dance battle with some of the other guests, and I can't stop laughing as he tries and fails to keep up with the latest moves.

The whole room erupts in cheers as he throws in some ridiculous freestyle moves, making everyone double over with laughter.

"Alright, alright, I'm done," Ryan says, panting dramatically, his hands up in surrender.

We take a breather, leaning against the wall as the party starts to wind down. I glance at my phone and realize my break is almost over.

"I should get going," I say reluctantly, not wanting the night to end but knowing I've already pushed my luck.

Ryan frowns, grabbing my wrist gently. "Already? Come on, stay a little longer."

I shake my head, even though every part of me wants to say yes. "I can't. My boss is... Let's just say he's not the most patient person."

Ryan rolls his eyes. "Alright, alright. I'll give you a ride back. Can't have you walking alone."

I let him lead me to his car, and we fall into easy conversation again.

"So, a maid, huh? That's a far cry from what I imagined you doing," he teases as we drive.

"Yeah, well, life has a funny way of surprising you," I reply with a shrug.

"Do you need any help? You know I'm here, right?" he offers, his voice softening.

I smile, genuinely touched. "Thanks, Ryan. But I've got this."

The drive back feels too short, and before I know it, we're pulling up in front of the house. The engine hums for a moment before going silent. We sit there, neither of us saying a word.

The laughter and noise from the party still feel like an echo around us, but here, in the stillness of the car, everything feels heavier, more real.

I glance at him from the corner of my eye, taking in the familiar curve of his jawline, the way his hands grip the steering wheel like he's not ready to let go of this moment yet. He turns to me, his brown eyes softening, searching my face for something.

"I really missed this," he says finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "Missed us... being like this."

His words hang in the air between us, and I don't know what to say. There's a part of me that wants to jump back into the past, to when things were simple, when everything felt right with him by my side. But then, reality crashes in, reminding me of where I am, who I've become, and all the reasons I can't go back.

I feel his fingers brush against mine, tentative at first, like he's testing the waters. But when I don't pull away, his hand fully wraps around mine, warm and comforting, like it used to be. I squeeze back.

"I missed you too," I admit, my voice cracking just a little. I look down at our joined hands.

We sit there in that comfortable silence for a little longer, and it feels like a precious secret we're sharing. But I know I can't linger too much, not when I've got a job to return to.

Eventually, I pull my hand away gently, breaking the spell. "I should go," I say, but it's the last thing I want to do.

Ryan nods, but he doesn't make a move to unlock the doors. Instead, he leans over, and before I can react, he's pulling me into a tight embrace. I melt into it, my arms wrapping around his neck.

His scent is familiar, bringing back a rush of memories. Summer nights, old inside jokes, and the feeling of being completely seen by someone.

"I'm glad we're still us, you know?" he whispers into my hair, his breath warm against my ear.

I nod against his shoulder. "Me too," I say softly. It's the truth, even if everything around us has changed.

When we finally pull back, he looks at me with that old, teasing glint in his eyes. "Take care of yourself, okay? And don't let that boss of yours push you around too much."

I roll my eyes, but a smile creeps up on my lips. "I won't. Thanks for the ride, Ryan."

"Anytime," he replies, and I can tell he means it.

We get out of the car, and before I head inside, he pulls me into one last hug. It's longer this time, more lingering. I can feel his heartbeat against mine, steady and reassuring.

"See you soon, yeah?" he asks as we break apart, his eyes locked onto mine like he's trying to memorize every detail.

"Yeah," I say, stepping back.

As I turn towards the house, I catch a movement from the corner of my eye. Noah is standing in the shadows by the entrance, watching us with that unreadable look on his face.

The sight of him startles me, and for a moment, I wonder how long he's been standing there, what he's seen.

Ryan, oblivious, just gives Noah a friendly nod. "Hey man, nice meeting you."

Noah's response is a grunt, his eyes fixed on me. There's something in his gaze, something almost... possessive.

I thank Ryan one last time, giving him a quick wave as he drives off. I turn back to the house, feeling Noah's eyes boring into me, and for some reason, my heart races.

"Enjoy your break?" Noah asks, his voice low, almost accusing.

I lift my chin, refusing to let him get under my skin. "Yes, I did. Thanks for asking."

But as I walk past him, I can't shake the feeling that something between us just shifted, and I don't know if it's for better or worse.