The next day, Cayden and I spent time laying out by the pool soaking up the sun. The weather here was so warm compared to New York. It really just made me look forward to summer—and the idea of spending it with Cayden... It made me feel all giddy inside, knowing i'll get to experience all the seasons with her.

Since today was Valentine's day, Cayden and I shared a big breakfast poolside—drinking mimosas, eating fruit with whipped cream-topped pancakes. It felt like a dream.

Cayden already had plans set for us that night, which didn't help cure my nervousness. I hoped she liked her gift... a gift I'd spent a lot of time planning and preparing.

I knew she wouldn't make it obvious if she didn't like it, but maybe that's what made me nervous. Her pretending.

This trip seemed to take the weighted pressure off of me that had been caused by this gift. Cayden successfully succeeded in helping me forget about it, but not for long.

When should I give it to her? Before dinner? After dinner? What if it wasn't enough? Or maybe too much?

"Okay, so our reservations..." Cayden trailed off, her eyes trailing up and down my appearance. I was in a red sleeveless halter dress—the material clung to my body and a very revealing slit cut up my long leg while my back remained completely exposed. My makeup was neutral and my hair was pulled into a high bun with curly strands framing my face. "You look fucking incredible."

I smiled, my face growing into a hot blush. I openly checked out Cayden, "You look incredible yourself," I said, eyeing her outfit. She was dressed in red dress pants and a matching loose blouse. Her dark hair was pulled into a sleek low bun with a side part.

She walked over to me, wrapping her arms around my waist. "Happy Valentine's Day, Vi."

I grinned so wide, that my cheeks practically hurt. "You've said that at least five times today."

Cayden laughed, throwing her head back. "My apologies, I'll be sure to say it less next year," she said, her tone light and teasing.

My heart thumped in my chest with excitement, the idea of celebrating this day again next year easily made butterflies flutter in my stomach.

"No-no please go on," I teased.

Cayden shook her head. "You're really something, you know that?" she asked, leaning down closer to me. "I'm thankful to be spending this day celebrating our love."

I smiled uncontrollably. "You're too sweet," I said, pressing a brief kiss to her lips before pulling back. "Speaking of celebrating our love..."

"Oh no."

I laughed. "What?"

"You're just making me nervous, that's all," Cayden said, smiling shyly.

I was caught off guard slightly by her confession. The shy look coating her face and her nervous body language really threw me for a loop. It was cute, but it wasn't something I experienced often of her.

"Wait did I just hear you correctly? Cayden De Luca? Nervous?" I asked, teasing her as I guided her out of the bathroom.

Cayden laughed, following behind me. "Incredibly nervous..." she trailed off. "Where are you taking me?"

I stayed silent, guiding her over to the bed to sit down before walking into the closet to grab the gift. My heartbeat grew rapid and my arms felt loose with tingles—the nerves were officially hitting me harder than before.

Cayden eyed me suspiciously as I silently held the glossy black box out for her.

"You didn't have to get me a gift, Vi," she said, taking the box from my extended hands.

I watched as she stared down at it, my nerves tripling. "Cay, open it please."

Cayden briefly looked up at me before looking back down at the box, untying the matte black bow and pulling the lid from it. When she finally saw what was inside, her brows furrowed, pulling the material from the box.

She held up the black denim jacket that I knew she instantly recognized—reading the white letters written on the back.

"Avina...wow," she breathed out, staring at the jacket as my nerves grew stronger with every passing second. She hadn't exactly made it clear if whether she liked it or not. "I haven't seen this jacket since high school—how did you get this?"

I sat down beside her, rubbing her back as I admired the jacket. "I had your parents ship it to me," I said, gauging her shocked reaction, hoping that the gift wasn't too invasive. "I had them ship me a few of your handwritten assignments from when you were a kid too—figuring I'd use the font as well."

Cayden's eyes stayed on the back of the jacket, admiring it fully. I had recreated her first-ever piece, which was the leather jacket I had seen in the picture on Cayden's desk with 'Inferno' written in red on the back of it. This black denim jacket from her high school days also had 'Inferno' written on it, except it was in white letters and in her childhood handwriting.

"I can't believe you did this... this is wow, Vi," she said. "Seriously, you have no idea how much this means to me."

My stomach leaped with excitement, happy that she liked it and found it sentimental. The effort and anxiousness paid off now that I got to see her reaction and how happy it made her.

I frowned when I noticed her eyes glazing over. "No, please don't cry."

Cayden shook her head, sucking in a breath. "I-wow this is just a lot."

"So... you like it? I can't really tell if that's a happy cry or—"

"Oh, it's definitely a happy cry," she said, laughing as she laid the jacket down in her lap and looked at me. "No one has ever done something like this for me before—it's really thoughtful."

I smiled, leaning into her as she wrapped her arm around my shoulder, holding the jacket back up with her other hand as she admired her childlike handwriting. I could tell this was something that struck her right in the heart, especially because as a child none of us knows what our future holds—so it's almost like a reminder to the child version of yourself—saying we made it.

Cayden kissed my temple, squeezing me closer to her. "Thank you, Vi. Seriously, I'll cherish this forever."

My smile turned into a grin, knowing that she genuinely liked her gift. All the nerves have faded, and I feel over the moon now that I had finally given it to her. The secret of it all was incredibly hard, but it was worth it in the end.

I furrowed my brows when Cayden stood from the bed. "I definitely need to change," she said, holding the jacket in her arms.

"You can't be serious," I said, laughing as she rushed into the closet. I checked my phone for the weather. "It's like 85 degrees outside."

"I don't care—I have to wear this jacket."

I laughed harder, finding her determination cute. "Whatever makes you happy then."

-

Cayden unsurprisingly ended up changing into the jacket with matching black ripped jeans and a red t-shirt tied up in the middle to show off her toned stomach. I was on cloud nine, seeing her enjoy the jacket so much. Ironically, she was incredibly hard to shop for—what do you get someone who has it all or can have it all? So in the end, sentimental was the route I had taken.

I sat across from Cayden, admiring the yellow hue contrasting against her sharp face. She had managed to secure us reservations at a speakeasy-themed restaurant, which I was still currently processing. The entire place was so laid back and mysterious—even entering the restaurant, you had to put a secret code into a phone booth outside, which granted you access.

I was pulled from my thoughts when Cayden said, "I figured I'd save my gift until dinner to give to you," she smiled slightly at me. "But I feel like my gift definitely won't compare to yours," she said, pulling the black velvet box from her jacket. My brows raised, gently taking the box from her hands and admiring it thoughtfully. "Go on... open it," she said, nodding in the direction of the box.

I snapped it open, revealing the white-gold bangle with small red diamonds embedded in it. "Wow," I breathed out, admiring the beautiful jewelry piece. I pulled it carefully from the box—I had never seen anything like it.

"Look on the inside," she said, her hands wrapping around mine to tilt the bangle slightly.

On the inside of the bangle, it read —making my heart practically melt in my chest.

"Cayden," I said, my voice growing into an aw tone. "This is so beautiful... thank you so much."

The red diamonds contrasted against the silver perfectly, and I can't quite say I've ever seen a bracelet like this. What made it better was the customization of it all, and knowing that she thought this all out.

"Here, let me put it on you," she said, clicking the bangle open while I held my wrist out. When she clicked it on, I couldn't help but suck in a breath at how the bracelet shined beautifully under the dimmest of light—I couldn't imagine it during the day.

I smiled at Cayden, "I love it so much," I said, leaning forward across the table to initiate a kiss.

Cayden met me halfway, leaning in to kiss me deeply and softly. When she pulled back her dark eyes held mine, "I love you."

"I love you too."

Shortly after Cayden gave me my gift, we had artful cocktails that tasted and looked divine and later we ate an amazing five-course meal— consisting of Picada, Salad, Achuras, Steak, and lastly Dulce de Leche cheesecake. To say I was full was an understatement, but the food was too good to pass on.

"I swear it could take days to sleep this food off," I said as Cayden and I walked down the busy streets of Buenos Aires, chatter and music filling the air, which only made the mood feel more lively. This night was truly something magical.

Cayden suddenly stopped, causing me to halt with her, my brows furrowing in confusion.

Before I could question her she asked, "How about we tango the food off?"

"Tango?"

Cayden nodded, motioning toward the middle of the street where couples were dancing romantically to the music while people clapped and cheered them on. It was an incredible sight, and I was a little shocked that Cayden was suggesting we join in.

I looked back to Cayden. "I... you're serious?" I asked, smiling slightly at her. "I don't think I know how to tango."

"Well, I'll teach you," she said, guiding me toward the street.

I tugged back slightly, scared of embarrassing myself. "Cayden, I don't know—"

"C'mon it'll be fun. You know I got you, Vi," she said, raising a brow at me.

I nodded, laughing as I held her hand tighter. I couldn't believe I was really about to tango with her—a dance I had never participated in.

She guided me out with the other couples, quickly initiating the tango stance between us. Soon she was moving her feet to the rhythm, guiding me with her. One of her hands rested on my waist while the other held my other hand up, matching our movements and rhythm with everyone else around us.

The dancing itself felt so intimate and sexy... it was like we were the only people here. Our eyes were locked and our bodies were moving against one another.

The crowd chanted wildly around us as Cayden and I laughed and danced, giving into the moment fully. It was one of the most surreal moments of my life—and I felt myself completely basking in the moment, knowing I'd regret it later if I didn't.

I knew I loved Cayden, and that I was in love with her, but I don't know... somehow it all just grew even more after all of this.

Hi everyone! I seriously can't believe we hit 100 chapters—and that I was even able to write this many, to begin with. Thank you guys for the support on this book, it really means a lot to me and I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. There's so much more to come.

Love you all,

Weekendlustt