It's so damn hot outside.

My shorts are sticking to the back of my legs as I try to quickly rush into the grocery store for air conditioning. Cameron had said Izzy ran out of diapers, so I needed to get some before I came home from the salon.

Wiping the sweat off of my forehead, I breathe a sigh of relief as the cool air swarms me completely.

"Maddie?"

My eyes pop up as my name is called, and I freeze on the spot when I see Tre carrying a six pack of beer. If it weren't for those familiar brown eyes I wouldn't even recognize him. He has a beard now, and since I last saw him he must have been going to the gym. His muscles are evident through the black t-shirt he's wearing.

"Tre!" I exclaim in disbelief, unsure of what the hell to even say. The last time I saw him I ended things, and I'm not so sure how he's going to react to seeing me. "Hey. Um, how are you?"

He smiles, his teeth perfectly aligned and white as he leans over to give me a quick side hug.

Okay, so he's happy to see me. That's a good sign.

"I'm doing really well, thanks. Wow, it's so good to see you." He breathes out and scans me over from head to toe. "You look great."

My cheeks immediately turn red. "Thanks, you do too."

Pulling out a cart from the stack in front of me, I grip tightly onto the handle as the awkwardness falls over us.

"I'm surprised to see you here." He furrows his eyebrows together in confusion. "I thought you would still be at Yale? Are you visiting family?"

Oh, boy. This is why I really had hoped to never run into him again. I hurt him, but he also hurt me too. After putting a lot of thought into it I realized I never should have given him a second chance after he spoke to me the way that he did at that dinner all those years ago. I was young and naive though, and I wanted to see the best in everyone.

"Um, I moved back." I admit, and I can see the hope spark into his eyes until I add, "for my daughter."

Random people push around us to try and get out of the automatic doors as Tre's lips turn into a thin line. "Daughter?" He nods when he finally realizes I'm not joking. "Wow, that's awesome. Congratulations, Maddie. How old is she?"

"She's almost two." I reply, smiling at the thought of her.

Tre's face seems to be stricken with panic, and I'm not sure why until I remember that I got pregnant not long after we ended. "Cameron." I clear my throat, wishing I could crawl directly into a hole. "He's the father."

"Oh." Tre says. "Right. Are you guys...uh..." he scratches the back of his head. "Still together?"

Another woman passes between us, muttering incoherent cuss words since we're blocking the path out the door. I can't seem to find the words to reply to him because a part of me knows Cameron and I aren't together yet.

But we're working on being back together. I can tell from the way Tre is staring at me that he's hoping the answer I'm going to give him is no, and two years ago that expression he's giving me right now might have worked.

He's so handsome. From the dark skin, to the hazel eyes... he could have any girl he wanted to. And he will, it's just not going to be me.

"Yeah. We are." I tell him firmly, and the disappointment is evident as his shoulders slump and he takes a tiny step back.

"That's good." He tells me. "I'm happy for you. After what I said..." he shakes his head, but rather than bring all of it up again he just sighs and stares at the floor. "It's good that you found someone."

I didn't think this was a conversation I needed, but it almost feels... good to tell Tre. I feel relieved. It makes me feel that much stronger about my connection with Cameron.

"Thank you. I, uh, have to get going but it was good to see you Tre, really. And there's no hard feelings. I wish you nothing but the best."

Giving him another quick side hug, he shows me a forced, tiny smile. "You too, Maddie."

______

Carrying the diapers in one hand, I push open the door to my apartment with my elbow, only to freeze when I see a large vase of flowers sitting on top of the kitchen counter. It's a dozen roses, a tiny card and gift box placed in front of it.

"Um?" I laugh when Cameron comes out from the nursery, a finger pressed to his lips.

"She just fell asleep." He whispers, and then he pulls me close to place a kiss to my forehead. "How was the salon?"

"Fine." I shrug, but I can't keep my eyes away from the gift box and flowers on the counter. "Is all of that for me?"

"Well it is your birthday tomorrow, right?"

"Yes, but you didn't have to get me anything. You know I hate birthdays, Cam."

Reaching out to grab the box on the counter, he still has his arms around my waist after he passes it over to me. "And that's exactly why I got you something."

"You're not going to let me give this back whatever it is, are you?" I tease.

He shakes his head, a mischievous grin on his face as he watches me pull off the ribbon. The wrapping paper comes off smoothly, and as soon as I see the brand on the box my jaw drops open in shock.

Cartier.

"Cam, no." I choke out, one hand coming up to cover my mouth in disbelief. "No. I absolutely cannot accept this."

"You haven't even opened it yet!" He laughs. "How do you know whether or not you can accept it?"

"Cameron!" I hiss and put the box into his face. "It's freaking cartier! Are you a lunatic?"

"Oh, the full name's coming out now, huh?" He takes the box from my hands and gives me a sly grin. "I knew you'd be mad. I already prepared for you to fight me on this, but the thing is..." and then he opens the box, my heart stilling at the gold bracelet gleaming underneath the light of the kitchen. "You deserve this, baby."

I absolutely hate crying, but I can't help the tears that escape onto my cheeks. "My god." I whisper as he takes it out of the box, securing it around my wrist. I twirl it back and forth to admire it. "It's so damn beautiful, cam. Thank you so much."

"There will be more gifts tomorrow of course." He warns me, and I hold back an eye roll. It's useless trying to argue with him because I know he'll make it impossible to say no anyways.

"You're insane." I mutter in defeat, but quickly get short of breath when he places a kiss to my neck.

"I was going to wait until tomorrow to give you the bracelet, but..." he mutters into my skin, trailing his nose up my neck until his lips meet my ear. A shiver goes down my spine. "Selfishly, I'm desperate to see you wearing nothing but this." He laughs softly and grabs my hand to wrap into his hair. The bracelet does a soft jingle, and he groans in appreciation. "Yeah." He nods, a smile still plastered to his face. "That's what I want to hear tonight."

Oh my god.

The things this man does to me.

"Does one of my birthday gifts include your tongue?" I ask inquisitively.

"Oh, most definitely." He nods, and my lower stomach tightens just at the thought of him between my legs.

His hands come up to my shorts, two fingers pulling at the band to pull it back. "How about I make you come right now?" He mutters hoarsely. "Right on this countertop?"

He sticks his hand inside of my pants, brushing gently over my panties. Almost like an automatic reflex, my head tilts back from the feeling, my fingertips gripping onto the island for dear life.

"So damn wet." He smirks, and just as he's about to move my underwear to the side we hear Isabelle let out a cry from the nursery. Cam sighs, resting his forehead against my shoulder. "Shit." He chuckles in frustration.

"I'll go grab her." I say.

I go to move past him, but before I can, he grasps my hips and pulls my back against his chest, leaning down to my ear to whisper, "probably best to save that gift for tomorrow anyways. You'll need to save up your energy."

A/N

I think you guys need your energy too 👀

LMAO YOU THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BRING TRE BACK IN THE PIC??? SIKE. I HAD TO SCARE YOU THOUGH

HOW ABOUT THEM TAR HEELS LAST NIGHT?!?!?! (I'm from NC. It was litty last night. Currently still drunk while typing this)

Please comment and vote!!!!!

What did you think??

See you Tuesday :)

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