Caitlin's POV

"Mum, Els and I are going to take Peach to the park!" I call out as I run down the stairs to meet Elena at the front door while putting Peach's leash on her.

"Okay, sweetie!" Mum calls back from the kitchen where she's baking cookies.

The sun shines brightly in the Australian sky as I glanced over at. It's one of those rare, perfect days—warm with a gentle breeze, ideal for taking Peach out to the park. I can barely contain my excitement; I loved the idea of sharing this part of my world with Elena.

"Are you ready for some serious dog time?" I tease Elena who walks beside me.

Elena laughs, a sound that never fails to brighten my day. "I'm ready to see what all the fuss is about."

The walk to the park doesn't take very long and it's filled with light conversation from the both of us. We giggle at Peach as she struts, her tail high, as if she owns the world. I watch Elena's eyes light up at the sight of her, a mix of surprise and delight washing over her features. It makes my heart swell—seeing how quickly she's starting to warm up to Peach.

As we walk toward the park entrance, I can't help but steal glances at Elena. She's wearing a casual sundress that sways gently with the breeze, her hair catching the light in a way that makes it shine that red colour. I feel a rush of affection for her—she just looks so beautiful, and I can't help but admire her.

Once we reach the park, I find a quiet patch of grass under a tree and set down the blanket I'd brought. "This should be perfect!" I declare, spreading it out. Peach immediately claiming her spot in the sun, flopping down and stretching out as if she owns the
full thing.

Elena chuckles as she watched the dog. "I think she likes it here already," she says, settling onto the blanket beside me.

"Wait until she finds a nice stick to chase," I reply, smirking. "It'll be game on."

I can see the hesitation in Elena's demeanor as she sits close but not quite touching me. It makes me want to reach out, to pull her in closer and share this moment with her fully. I know she's still warming up to Peach, but I also know I have to give her the space to do that at her own pace.

"Want to throw a ball for her?" I suggest, holding up a small toy ball I had brought along.

Elena hesitates, then nods. "Okay, but you have to show me how."

I stand up, tossing the ball gently towards Peach, who perks up immediately and dashes after it with a burst of energy. Elena laughs, her eyes sparkling as she watches the little canine sprint across the grass. There's something so joyful about seeing Elena laugh like that; it feels like sunlight breaking through clouds.

"See? She's not so bad!" I say, encouragingly.

Elena smiles, her initial reluctance fading as she watches Peach chase after the ball. "I guess I can see the appeal," she admits. "She's kind of adorable."

The more we play, the more Elena lets her guard down. At one point, she even crouches down to pet Peach and tell her she's a good girl, and I can't help but admire her. The way she interacts with my dog is effortless and genuine; it's clear she has a soft spot for animals. I feel a rush of pride, knowing I had introduced her to something new and fun.

As we played, I found myself drawn to the way Elena's laughter lit up the space around us. I didn't want to admit how much it affected me, but it did. Every giggle made my heart flutter a little more. Watching her let loose and embrace the moment made me want to hold onto it forever.

After a while, we both collapsed onto the blanket, breathless from laughter and play. "Okay, I'm exhausted," Elena says, wiping her forehead dramatically.

"Me too," I admit, lying back and staring up at the sky. "But this was fun. You're a natural."

Elena turns her head to look at me, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Thanks for convincing me to come out today. I needed this."

"I'm glad," I reply, feeling a warmth spreading through my chest. "I love sharing my world with you. It feels... special."

Her smile fades slightly, and she regards me with those deep, expressive eyes. "I'm really starting to see why you love it here," she says softly. "And why you love Peach so much."

I smile, feeling a surge of happiness. "I think she's starting to love you like I do."

As Peach flops down beside us, I feel a contentment settle over me. The day was perfect, and I can't help but think how grateful I am to be sharing it with Elena. She was starting to find her place in my world, and the thought made me hopeful for what was to come.

"Can we go walk down there." She nods her head to a path that's hidden with some trees. "I saw some flowers there."

"Yeah, of course." I stand up and pat Peach lightly. "Come on, Peach." I laugh at my pet.

As we stroll down the tree-lined path, the sunlight filters through the leaves, casting playful shadows on the ground. The air is fragrant with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and I can't help but admire the vibrant colors surrounding us.

"Look at these!" Elena exclaimes, bending down to inspect a patch of wildflowers growing along the path. She gently plucks a delicate flower, its petals a pure white. "This one's beautiful," she says, her face lighting up with excitement.

I smile at her enthusiasm, feeling a warmth spread through me. "It really is. You should put it in your hair."

Elena grins at the suggestion and looks at me mischievously. "Only if you come over here."

I walk closer, intrigued by her playful tone. When I reach her, she raises the flower to my face, urging me to lean in. "Okay, but only if you can get it in without messing up my bun," I tease.

With gentle fingers, she takes the flower and carefully slips it behind my ear and tucks it into my hair so it stays. "Perfect!" she announces, stepping back to admire her handiwork.

I can'ghelp but laugh, the warmth in her eyes making my heart race. "How do I look?"

"Gorgeous," she says, her voice softening as she holds my gaze. "You always do."

In that moment, time seems to slow. I find myself captivated by her expression, the way her hand lingers on my cheek as she brushes a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I can feel the world around us fade away, leaving just the two of us in this beautiful, serene moment.

With her hand still cradling my face, I lean in closer, our breaths mingling in the warm air. Our lips meet softly, a sweet and gentle kiss that sends butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

Just as I begin to lose myself in the moment, a loud bark interrupts us. Peach, who had been exploring nearby, trots over, looking a bit too proud of herself.

We break apart, laughter bubbling up between us. "Guess she wanted to join in," I say, trying to catch my breath.

Elena chuckles, shaking her head as she scratches behind Peach's ears. "Seems like it. But I think we can manage some time just for us, right?"

"Absolutely," I reply my heart still racing as I reach for her hand, entwining our fingers. "Let's keep walking."

As we continued down the path, the flower in my hair felt like a sweet reminder of the moment we had just shared. I couldn't help but think that I was exactly where I was meant to be.