CHAPTER 62: CHAPTER 62: CAUGHT IN THE MOMENT

Zayn’s POV

Since I got back, Nantam has been whining and asking questions about the person who dropped me off earlier today. I told him it was a new friend, but he didn’t believe me.

"If it’s a friend, why aren’t you introducing him/her to your old friends?" he pressed.

I shrugged. "With time, I will."

He nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I’ll look forward to that."

Later that night, Dean called to invite us out for drinks.

When Nantam and I arrived at the bar, I saw Dean, Nicki, and a guy I didn’t recognize sitting at their table. We joined them.

I nudged Dean and asked, "How did you end up with Nicki here?"

Dean laughed. "I met him here, so I forced him to join my table... along with his friend."

"Oh, okay," I said. "’Cause I know him, he’s not easy to call out."

Nicki shot back with a grin, "You can only call me out if you’re worth it."

I smirked, raising my hands in mock surrender. "Alright... I get it."

The rest of the evening passed with drinks and conversation. Then my phone buzzed... Evric. I stepped outside to answer.

"Where are you?" he asked.

"I went out with some friends," I replied.

"When will you be home?"

"Soon, probably," I said.

"Call me when you get home," he instructed, and I replied, "I will," feeling a little comforted by his voice.

I went back inside, and Nantam and Dean were deep in conversation about my birthday party.

"You’re still planning my birthday?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Dean laughed. "Of course! It’s your special day, man. You can’t just skip it."

"I told you, I don’t want any big party," I said firmly. "I want something small and unique."

Nicki rolled his eyes, smirking. "You’re still acting like a novice forever. Come on, just have a big party, it’s your birthday! You only celebrate it once a year."

I turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "Will you be coming?"

"Well... I’ll come. Not because I want to, but because everything there that day will be free. Who doesn’t love free stuff?"

Dean chuckled. "See? That’s the spirit!"

Nantam shook his head with a grin. "You are all about the perks, huh?"

Dean laughed. "Perks or not, you’re coming. No excuses."

I rolled my eyes but laughed along, the tension easing slightly. Conversations bounced around the table, looping from work stories to random jokes, keeping the night alive and making time stretch longer than I expected.

As the night went on, the alcohol started to catch up with me, and I realized I was getting tipsy. I pushed back my chair slightly and turned to Nantam. "We should probably head back home."

He nodded, smiling. "Yeah, that’s a good idea."

Dean raised his glass with a playful smirk. "Alright, alright. Let’s wrap this up, then."

Everyone started leaving in pairs or small groups, exchanging laughs and goodbyes. I walked back toward the exit, feeling the weight of the night in my body but still buzzing from the laughter.

The moment I got home, I grabbed my phone and called Evric. He picked up on the first ring. "Hey," I said, voice soft but smiling.

"Hey, babe" he replied, calm as ever. I asked about his meeting with the new partner, and he assured me it went well. "The project’s actually kind of exciting," he added, a hint of pride in his tone.

Curious, he asked what I had planned for tomorrow.

"Gym," I said. "Gotta keep my fitness up."

"Since it’s for the gym, just come to my house and do it here," he instructed.

I voiced playfully. "It won’t be fun like going out to the gym."

He chuckled softly. "Okay then... let me come with you."

"Evric... you already have a gym at your house. Why do you need to follow me?"

"Babe... please. Let me come with you," he coaxed, voice soft but persistent.

After a few minutes of back-and-forth teasing, I gave in with a small laugh. "Fine..."

"Good," he said, relieved. "Should I pick you up from home or the restaurant?"

"Restaurant," I answered.

"Alright," he said. And with that, we ended the night’s conversation, both of us smiling as we finally set our phones aside.

In the morning, I dressed quickly, checking myself in the mirror before heading to the living room. Nantam was already awake, sitting at the table with a mug of coffee in hand.

"Good morning," I greeted him, smiling.

"Good morning," he replied, glancing up. "Where are you headed so early?"

"I’m going to the gym," I said.

He nodded thoughtfully. "Makes sense. I’m just going to check my house. By next weekend, I’ll be moving out."

"That’s good, man. Just take your time. You can leave anytime you’re ready," I told him.

"I know," he said with a small smile, taking a sip of his coffee.

With that, I drove to the restaurant. After a few moments, Evric’s car arrived. I went to meet him, and as I entered, I kissed him. Just like that, his driver drove us to the gym.

As we drove, my phone buzzed. It was Liana. I answered. "Hey! How’s it going?"

Her voice was a mixture of excitement and nerves. "Zayn! My brand is finally ready! I’m launching it next week."

"That’s amazing! I’m so proud of you," I said, trying to match her energy.

"But I’m scared," she admitted quickly. "What if people don’t buy it? I’ve put so much into this perfume line..."

"You have nothing to fear," I said firmly. "You can’t be scared of what hasn’t happened yet. Just do it. I promise it will be fine."

There was a pause on the line, and I could hear her soft exhale. "Are you sure?" she whispered.

"I’m sure," I said gently. "I’ve seen the work you’ve put in. It’s amazing, and people will love it. Trust yourself, you’ve done everything you could. Now just take the leap."

"I... okay," she said, a small laugh in her voice. "Thank you, Zayn. I feel better now."

I smiled to myself, relieved. "Good. Now go launch your brand confidently. You’ve got this."

"Alright... I will. Thanks, brother!"

I stayed on the line for a moment longer, making sure her nerves had calmed, before finally hanging up.

Evric, who had been watching me the whole time, glanced at me with a teasing smirk. "Everything okay?" he asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, it’s Liana. She wants to launch her brand next week, she’s into perfume. The last time she was with me, she tested every product with me. They’re good, but without connections, can her brand go far?"

He nodded confidently, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yes, it will. Especially since her brother is Evric Draeven’s man," he said teasingly.

I laughed softly, shaking my head. "You always know what to say."

He leaned back, a calm certainty in his eyes. "Of course, babe. She has absolutely nothing to worry about. I already know the right connections. I’ll link her up with Nuala, she’s an expert in this field, and with just one call from me, everything will fall perfectly into place."

"Thank you, Evric," I said, relief softening my voice.

He smiled, that quiet, confident smile I loved. "You’re welcome."

By the time we reached the gym, the morning sunlight filtered through the large windows. We went inside and changed quickly. I stepped out of the changing room first, stretching slightly, when I spotted Dean across the floor.

"Zayn!" he called, waving.

Just then, Evric’s voice rang from behind me. "Babe... do you..."

My heart skipped. I spun around quickly, trying to silence him, but it was too late. Dean’s eyes widened, the word babe hanging heavy in the air between us.