Lara found Jake, a charming and understanding man who agreed to pretend to be her boyfriend for the evening. Jake was kind and had a great sense of humor. He seemed perfect for the role, and Lara felt a bit more at ease about the dinner.

When the big day arrived, Jake met Lara’s family and immediately made a good impression. He was polite, funny, and seemed genuinely interested in getting to know everyone. Lara’s parents were delighted with Jake, and even Emily couldn’t find anything to criticize. Lara felt relieved and started to enjoy the evening.

As the night went on, Lara and Jake’s pretend relationship felt surprisingly natural. They shared stories and laughs, and Lara found herself genuinely enjoying Jake’s company. During dessert, something unexpected happened. Jake stood up to make a toast. Lara felt a mix of nerves and curiosity.

Jake raised his glass and smiled warmly at Lara’s father. “Firstly, happy birthday, sir! May this new year bring you all the joy you deserve.” Then, he turned to Lara and his tone softened. “But I’d also like to toast to the most incredible woman I’ve ever met. Lara, you’re intelligent, kind, and you have the most infectious laugh. I can’t stop admiring you, and I haven’t since the moment we met.”

Lara was stunned. She hadn’t expected Jake to say such heartfelt words. Her heart raced, and she felt tears welling up in her eyes. After the toast, Lara took Jake aside and expressed her gratitude. She thanked him for his kind words and for making the evening special. That’s when Jake confessed that his feelings were real. He admitted that he had grown to genuinely admire her.