The next night, I got ready to go to the club with Jade. It was surprisingly exciting even if I was a little weird about leaving Cayden behind at home, but I knew I needed to have my own life separate from her. Besides, it's a girls' night for Jade and me, and since we haven't been to the club together in a while, this should be really fun.

After looking over my outfit a few times in the mirror, I finally decided I liked it. I haven't been to the club since Florida, so I felt somewhat out of my element yet again. Although, I think my long-sleeved black dress is definitely club-appropriate. You also can't go wrong with a black dress moment—especially one that dips dramatically at your chest, exposing the right amount of cleavage.

I let out a deep breath, spraying myself with my usual sweet perfume. I exited the bedroom, my black high-heeled boots clicking against the wood floor as I pulled on my long red trench coat that matched my painted lips. My curled brown strands swayed as I walked down the hall and into the living area.

When Cayden saw me she wolf-whistled, her eyes roaming my body. "You look..." she trailed off as if she were searching for the right word. "Out of this world."

A smile grew on my face as I walked over to her. She was seated at the kitchen island, her ful-vue glasses on, her wet damp hair down and perfectly messy, and a glass of red wine sitting beside her open MacBook displaying her work emails.

She looked properly prepared for a night-in dedicated to catching up on some work.

"Thank you," I said, sliding my arms around her shoulders as she sat on the tall barstool. "I like this look you got going on."

"Oh yeah?" she asked, her dark eyes staring into mine through her glasses—her long lashes fanned out while her bare skin glowed flawlessly. She was so effortlessly attractive, it almost made me question if she was even real. I couldn't help but suck in a slight breath at the beautiful woman sitting in front of me.

Cayden always seemed to have this effect on me.

"You're just so... sexy," I said, my eyes trailing her body, from her black Calvin Klein sports bra to her matching loose Nike sweatpants. Her toned stomach was displayed, almost making me drool. "If your goal was to seduce me into staying home—it's basically worked."

Cayden laughed, shaking her head. "No... I definitely think your goal was to seduce me into begging you to stay home," she said, pulling me closer to her by my waist.

I leaned in even closer—her usual spiced cologne and the faint smell of her familiar shampoo wrapping around me perfectly.

"So beg," I said.

Cayden pulled back slightly, her dark eyes staring into mine. "I don't think enough begging would get you out of your plans with Jade," she said, and I knew she was right—there was no way I was staying home now, even if Cayden convinced me, which she already had without even trying. "If anything it'll only make you sexually frustrated, but if that's what you want..."

She slid her hands further down to cup my ass, easily making my body grow hot. Sexual frustration is the last thing I want even if Cayden's touch always feels so good.

I reluctantly took a step back from her, even if it was the last thing I wanted to do. "That's not what I want," I said, almost like a pouting child.

Cayden smirked slightly. "Are you sure baby?" she asked, and I felt my nipples harden on command, shivers crawling up my body. "You really don't want me to touch you?"

I sucked in a breath, closing my jacket around my warm body. "Stop that," I said, but my voice barely came out above a whisper.

"Whatever you say," Cayden said, rising from her chair and taking a step closer to me. "Enjoy your night out and please be safe. Also, text me if you need anything," she said, briefly pecking my lips.

I wanted to pull her in for a long deep kiss, but I knew it would only make matters worse for me. Even with words, Cayden managed to turn me on.

"I will," I said, backing away as my phone began buzzing which I already knew was from Jade.

I exited the condo building, heading out into the cold New York air to meet Jade in the Uber. She was waiting in the backseat of the Uber in a hot pink dress with a small black jacket over it. Her dark hair was pulled into a high bun, and she wore neutral makeup on her face—although, her matching hot pink eyeliner made the look stand out.

The Uber ride to the club 'Electric' was chill, especially with Jade's presence. We talked about her dating life before she inevitably changed the topic to Valentine's Day and what Cayden had planned. While I didn't know, I was extremely curious. Cayden already goes the extra mile for me, so I already knew whatever she had planned would be incredible.

When we arrived at the club, I felt familiarity shoot through me. The club easily brought back memories of Cayden and me—when she was initially giving me mixed signals. I felt grateful that we moved past that, but the memories still weren't that great to reminisce.

Upon making it into the club, Jade led me to a private section she secured for us before ordering us a few rounds of shots to loosen us up.

My anxiety was unsurprisingly heightened, but only because this scene was somewhat unfamiliar to me. While it had only been a few weeks, I still felt like it didn't feel the same. The pounding music, burning alcohol, and the large crowd of people just didn't hit the same anymore.

Not when I had a girlfriend waiting for me at home.

However, I'd be lying if I said the alcohol didn't help me immensely. After six shots of tequila and two mixed drinks, Jade and I were dancing wildly on the dance floor. The familiar feelings came back and made me finally feel comfortable.

Cayden checked up on me a few times over text, and I made sure to respond with the most sober-sounding response—which I hoped was believable. I knew she didn't care that I was shit-faced right now, but I also felt weird about seeming completely drunk to her. Then again, I knew I'd definitely be coming home drunk, especially since Jade ordered even more rounds of shots for us.

Griffin on the other hand was a different story, especially since I was now in the club bathroom excitingly calling his number.

"I knew you'd enjoy the club," his familiar voice flooded through the phone. Our workout session this morning was filled with talk about Evan, what happened with Jaci, and my nervousness about going to the club after being away for so long.

"How do you know I'm enjoying it? What if I'm calling to rant about how much I hate it?" I asked, my words unconsciously sticking together.

"By the way you sound Vin—which is incredibly fucking drunk—it seems like you're having fun," he said, and I couldn't help but snicker slightly. "Evan and I really should've taken you up on the offer to come—studying on a Saturday night is as terrible as it sounds."

I laughed, but it somehow died down, knowing I wished I was at home with Cayden cuddled up on the couch studying while she finished some work on her laptop. I... missed her.

What I would give to be home with her in her arms laughing over a meaningless joke that she made. She'd offer to make some random dessert like edible cookie dough or brownies before we ate and got ready for bed.

"That was the saddest laugh I've ever heard Vin," Griffin said, laughing to himself.

"I miss her," I said, almost whining, which only caused Griffin to laugh harder.

"You're one of those drunks?" he asked. "The one who misses their girlfriend so much, you end up calling her before going home for the night?"

I pursed my tingling lips, knowing I was on the verge of calling Cayden. "No..."

"Absolutely not, get out of the fucking bathroom and go turn up—Cayden will be home waiting for you when you're done," Griffin said, not asking but ordering. I couldn't help but smile like an idiot at how great of a friend he is.

He's right. I should go have fun, I'll see Cayden later.

"Also tell Jade I said hi!" Griffin said. "Love you and do everything I would do!" he added.

"Love you too," I said and with that, the call ended.

After Griffin's advice, I left the bathroom, finding Jade in our section, transferring the shots from the waiter's plate. When she noticed me, she grinned, displaying her white teeth as the waiter walked away.

"I got us more shots!"

I laughed, admiring how drunk she was. "I love you J-bug."

"Awww I love you too! I'm so glad we're still friends Vina. You have no idea!" she said, pulling me down onto the couch in a warm hug causing me to laugh. She gets really sentimental when she drinks.

"Me too—also Griffin said hi."

"He did? I love Griffin!" Jade said, untangling from our hug as she grabbed one of the filled shot glasses and handed me one.

We clinked the glasses together, throwing the burning liquid back before walking over to the dance floor. I felt good. It was surprising how quickly my mood flipped after talking to Griffin. He always said the right things, I swear.

My body pumped with adrenaline which somehow matched the bass of the music. I even found myself falling into dancing completely, losing track of the time that I didn't even realize Jade had secured us both another mixed drink.

Although as I drank the sweet drink, I suddenly found myself wanting to throw it up along with the rest of the shots I took.

Zera's here. And she's looking right at me.