We had a fun filled weekend and Denver 3.0 won the family cup. Again. We lost the second game, the scavenger hunt. Nina and Aiden ended up lost in the woods somehow so we ended up losing. But they turned it back into our favor for the last game,  charades. Someone finally got Aiden's weird charade acts.

Xave was already waiting for me when I got to work on Monday after school. The moment our eyes locked, a spark ignited, and a smile stretched across his face. I couldn't help but mirror his happiness as I approached him.

"Hey Julliet," he greeted with a playful tone.. "You have no idea how much I missed you."

"Yes, I do. You called me non-stop for two days straight."

"Don't I at least get a hug?"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Nope, sorry. I'm on the clock now. No public displays of affection allowed. Work rules, you know?"

"We could leave and then you wouldn't be at work."

"Or you could leave and I could work in peace." I picked up my stuff and I walked away to get ready for work.

"You wound me Julliet," he screamed after me. 

I entered the locker room with a smile on my face.

"I see things have progressed between you and lover boy," Lily said when she saw me. She was preparing to leave for the day. I just smiled in response to her comment.

"Do the Denver brothers know?"

"Not yet. Aiden knows but not the others," I answered. I clocked in and grabbed my work apron. 

"Aiden is the brooding one right?"

"That would be right."

"Do you plan to tell them any time soon"

"That's the plan. I just want to see how this goes first for a while. "

I walked with her out of the locker room.

"What I wouldn't give to be there when that goes on," she said with a smile and a longing look in her eyes.

"Happy my impending drama excites you."

"Anytime sis." she mock saluted and waved goodbye as she headed out.

Xave had to leave earlier after he received a call from his coach. He had practice today which he thought he could ditch. Apparently not. We finally agreed our first date will be the next Saturday. I was kinda looking forward to it. He was been so secretive about it. 

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"An amusement park. Really? This was your big surprise?" We were parked in the lot of the town's amusement park. I mean I love amusement parks but with the way he was excited, I did not expect this.

"Yes!" He sounded so excited it was starting to rub off on me.

"You look so happy. Like its your first time."

"Because it is"

"Seriously?"

"Yeah. I always wanted to come with my parents when I was younger but something always came up. My nana wanted to take me but it didn't feel the same so I never made it."

His nana is his nanny. The woman practically raised him. With how little his mum was present in his life growing up, it baffles me how close he is with her. It's like whenever she comes back they pick up from where they left off.

 I glanced over at him, his eyes wide as he took in the colorful chaos around us. I vowed to my self to make it the best experience ever for him.

"Ready to to have some fun Romeo?" I teased hoping my own enthusiasm would match his. 

"You betcha." I took his hand, our fingers entwining naturally, and led him deeper into the park.

 The scent of popcorn and cotton candy hung in the air, blending with the sounds of laughter and the distant hum of carnival music.

We ventured to the arcade and Xave's eyes lit up when he spotted the claw machine. He pulled out a pouch filled with shiny coins, and I raised an eyebrow. "You came prepared, huh?"

He winked at me. "Nana's words of wisdom: always be prepared for the claw machine battle."

He hogged the machine, saying he was not leaving until he wins a plushie for me. I watched as Xave's attempts grew more and more frustrated. He was absolutely terrible at it, and I couldn't help but laugh at his expressions of determination and defeat. It was rather cute.  His pouch was running out, and he was nearing the end of his coins.

"You know, maybe the claw machine just doesn't like you," I teased. "Can you let me have a go at this so we can go try something else?"

He reluctantly gave up at let me have it.

On my first try, I managed to snag a cute plush bear. Xave's jaw dropped, and I couldn't help but gloat.

"Beginner's luck?" he grumbled, a mock scowl on his face.

"Aiden taught me how to maneuver this when we were kids. One time he got banned from using the machine when we were because he nearly cleared it out."

I tried the machine and got a matching plush bear which I give to him. He takes it with a smile.

We continued our adventure, eventually finding ourselves in front of the haunted house. Xave's bravado returned as he grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the entrance.

"Ready to face some ghosts, Julliet?" he teased, his grin not faltering even as we stepped into the dimly lit hallway.

The haunted house was predictably cheesy, with jump scares and fake monsters lurking around corners. Xave's attempts at acting brave quickly turned into genuine shrieks, which had me doubled over in laughter. By the time we emerged from the exit, we were both breathless and wiping away tears of amusement.

I let out a relieved breath, only to freeze as a familiar voice reached my ears. "Well, well, if it isn't the lovely Evie," Chloe sneered from behind us.

I turned to see Chloe, my former boyfriend's bff. She was accompanied by a few of her friends, and my heart sank. "What do you want, Chloe?"

Her eyes narrowed as they fell on our intertwined hands. She chuckles.

"I cannot wait for what happens when your brothers find out about. Thank you Evie for the future entertainment. She walks away with her little posse.

"Do I want to know what that was about?"

"No, you do not. Let's just forget about all this and enjoy our day."

I knew my brothers will find out one day. I just pictured myself telling them in a calm and controlled environment. I do not see Chloe breaking this news in a calm and controlled manner.

"Are you okay?" Xave asked when he noticed I was quiet. 

"Yes totally."

He pulls me into a hug.

"I know you care about your brothers finding out. But everything will be okay." I hug him back.

"Evie?" I turned to see Mark staring at us. I move away from Xavier's embrace to stare at him. Why does this feel like I've been caught cheating?

I know I told Mark that Xavier and I were just friends but that was before this happened. I could see the question in his eyes.

"Hi Mark," I greeted back. Xavier pulls me back to him by the hand.

"Didn't expect to see you here."

"Uh yeah."

"Well she's here with her boyfriend." Xave chimed in.

"It kinda happened." I said answering the question he hadn't voiced out.

"Oh, congratulation"

"Thank you." Xavier answered. " We have a date to get to back to. Bye"

He pulled me away.

"See you later Mark." I called out as I'm being dragged away. He waves at me.

"What was that for?"

"The guys clearly has a thing for you"

"I know"

"You know? Did he say something?" He questioned.

"We had a talk. Stop being the crazy jealous boyfriend." I shut him up.

We went on the ferris wheel and tried the shooting range which I dominated thanks to big A's taking all the Denver cousins to range every year.

As the sun began to set, we wandered from ride to ride, sharing cotton candy and stories that ranged from embarrassing childhood mishaps to lofty dreams for the future. Xave's laughter was infectious, and even the looming roller coasters seemed less intimidating when he was by my side.

As the night grew darker, the park lit up with a dazzling display of lights. Xave pulled me to a stop at the top of a gentle hill, the panoramic view of the park before us. The lights danced in his eyes as he turned to me, his confidence momentarily replaced by a touch of vulnerability.

"Evie," he began, his voice softer now, "I know I'm probably the last guy you imagined yourself dating, but... being with you, it's one of the best thing that happened to me. You're my best friend and the one person I know I can count on. You're not just Julliet from the other side anymore. You're Evie, the girl who makes my heart race and who I can't help but smile around."

I felt my heart swell at his words, and all the playful banter and teasing melted away in that moment. It was just us, standing under the twinkling lights of the amusement park, and I knew I was falling for Xave in a way I never expected.

Before I could respond, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small stuffed animal he had managed to win from a different game. He held it out to me with a shy grin. "For you, Julliet. A token of our first date conquests."

I took the stuffed animal, my heart pounding as our fingers brushed against each other. "Thank you, Xave," I said softly, my voice filled with emotion.

"This has been the best day ever," he said, turning to me with a soft smile.

I stepped closer, feeling the warmth of his hand as it found mine. "I'm so glad you enjoyed it."

Xave's gaze held a mixture of gratitude and something deeper, a connection that seemed to grow stronger with every shared moment. He leaned in and brushed his lips against mine, a gentle and lingering kiss that felt like the perfect ending to an unforgettable day.