As soon as Ben spoke, Caleb and Hunter gave him exaggerated thumbs-up. "Married with a kid, and you're still feeling lost? You're a real genius," Caleb teased.

Nash patted Ben on the shoulder, his tone reassuring. "You've got a kid now, no need to overthink it. Just do your best for her. Besides, wasn't Jamie doing great last time she was with Nina?" Ben paused, reflecting on Jamie's recent state. Ever since she had started focusing on what she truly wanted, stepping back from exhausting tasks, she seemed much more at ease and full of life. Caleb said, "I'm heading out of town next month for a conference. If it weren't for that, I wouldn't even be here today."

"I'm flying abroad tomorrow," Hunter added quickly.

Clearly, this meetup was a rare opportunity to gather before everyone got busy again.

Nash glanced at the two of them with a smirk. "And you two have the nerve to tease Ben? What about you guys? When are you settling down and having kids?

"Don't tell me, by the time our kids are in middle school, you two will still be single," Nash quipped, his tone half-serious.

having found joy in his stable family life with Nina, had become a vocal advocate for

unconvinced. "It's not like I've found the one yet. I can't just marry someone for

marriage? Or like Ben, stuck

women, kids, and domestic responsibilities? No thanks. Building a career was far more satisfying. After all, life didn't only offer one path

poker every weekend?" Hunter teased, not bothering to hide

"So, you two bachelors sticking together-is that your plan?" His tone was casual,

rising defensively. "Ben, what kind of nonsense are you spouting?" "Yeah!" Hunter chimed in. "We've known each other for years. You know exactly who we are. How

tone nonchalant. "Hey,

pointed an accusatory finger. "This is revenge, isn't

didn't know you could hold a grudge, Ben," Hunter

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