I walked out of the shower Monday morning ready for work. Today was a special day. Not only was it the first day I started the new job I got at a fashion label, owned by close friend named Caroline, but it was also Damon's birthday.

Oh, Damon. After 26 years of knowing that arrogant, cocky bastard with the smug grin and the beautiful baby blue eyes, he has turned out to be my best friend, my partner in crime, and my night in shining armor. Yes, I am completely and utterly in love with him and no, he doesn't know it.

Damon and I practically met in the sandbox. Our parents would always hang out at each others houses and every time, he and I would, being 4, run off into the backyard and do god knows what until our parents found us. We went through school together, we went to dances together, we ate meals together, we did everything together. If you were to ask me about a specific moment I had a memory that was my favorite, I would probably name them all. Like that one time, I was 15 and he was 17, it was our last day of summer before the school year started...

"What do you think you're doing?!" I screeched at him. He was taking of his shirt to reveal his glorious abs. And yes, at 17, Damon had glorious abs, along with his broad shoulders and his amazing smile and his deep ocean blue eyes. Getting back on point. I know its fun jumping off of cliffs and all but it's seriously dangerous.

"What do you mean, 'what am I doing?'" he asked with faux innocence, "It's only twenty feet into the water Elena. What's the big deal?"

I was probably pulling the mom card on him now. "I thought we were walking down and I don't want you getting hurt is all. It's kind of a long way down if you think about it. Isn't the water shallow right here anyway?"

"It's not shallow, trust me. I've done this many times before. Now get your skinny ass over here and jump with me before I throw you over my shoulder and make you jump with me."

I slowly walked to the spot next to him and paused. I am such a prude. I was already wearing my bathing suit anyway since I knew we were gonna come up here. This day has been planned for a long time. Every last day of summer it's just him and me and our day at the falls. Steadily, I took my shirt off and next my shorts and I was left standing in my bikini. I looked up at Damon only to find that he was already watching me. I quickly looked away and he smiled. "I don't think I want to do this. You know I'm afraid of heights," I said fearfully while starting to back up.

"Oh no you don't!" he practically sprinted back to where I was and literally threw me over his shoulder.

"Damon put me down!" I screamed at him, " I told you I don't want to go!"

"Trust me Lena, you're gonna want to do this again after you go the first time," he said reassuringly.

I finally gave up. I knew, once Damon's mind is set on something, no matter what it is, you won't change it.

He stopped at the edge of the rock and counted back from 3... 2... 1...

We were falling and I knew I screamed the whole way down. I was pretty sure I blew Damon's ear drum out. I emerged from the water to see Damon's smug grin on his gorgeous face. "You know I hate you now. I can't believe you just did that to me!" I sputtered and playfully slapped his naked chest.

"You know you still love me," he said cockily and boy he could not be more right.

We swam around for a bit and then eventually tried to make our way out of the swimming hole. Getting to shallow enough water, we were walking to rest of the way when I felt something touch my foot.

"Ahhh!" I screamed and practically jumped Damon. I was hugging him completely with my legs wrapped around his waist and my arms around his neck holding him as close as possible while trying to get far enough out of the water. I looked around in the water to try to see anything what I heard Damon chuckling. I slowly turned my head to look at him and when I did our lips were centimeters apart. I looked into his eyes and all of a sudden the world stopped. They were so incredibly blue. We just stared at each other for god knows how long.

"Something touched my leg," I said nervously. He just kept staring at me. No noises were heard and no movements were made.

"I'm sure it was just a fish Lena," he said coyly. I slowly slid down his body feeling every contour and line of his beautifully sculpted chest and then when my feet hit the floor everything was back to the way it was 10 minutes ago. No staring. No touching.

"We should probably head back up," I said quickly and got out the water as fast as possible practically leaving a startled Damon behind.

I was shaken from my thoughts when there was knock on my front door. I quickly looked at my clock on my night stand. 7:42 am. Crap! I was thinking about Damon for 20 minutes! I'm so going to be late for work. Realizing that there is still someone at my front door, I quickly walked through the halls of my apartment knowing who it was. Opening the door, I found a pair of cerulean blue eyes staring at my half naked body. Leaving the door open and running back to my room, I yelled, "I'll be ready in a minute!"

Starting your first day at a fashion label can be tough in trying to find something to wear. Luckily last night I had already picked something out. Black, tight skinny jeans with a loose, flowy white blouse and a black blazer with some cute jewelry and light red heels topped off with a black purse.

After quickly putting on my outfit and applying light makeup and blowdrying my hair to let if fall in natural, loose waves. I threw all of my necessities in my purse like my phone and wallet and keys and walked down the stairs.

Damon was making coffee and knowing I moved fast enough to have a couple before I needed to leave, I ran up to him and gave him a big hug from behind while tucking my face into his back. I inhaled his scent and hot damn, he smelled good. It was clearly Old Spice shampoo and I knew because I am usually the one that shops for him knowing that he has no time for anything other than cooking, women, being the sexiest man on Earth, and... me. And I'm not just saying that. He actually told me that he only has time for those things. I know I should constantly be freaking out about the women part but Damon is Damon and I have just learned to accept it no matter how much it hurts me.

He turns around in my arms and gives me a proper hug. God I missed this. I know it's only been like a day since I last saw him but i just love hugging him. It feels right to be in his arms. Of course I would say that considering that fact that I love Damon. He gives me one last squeeze before he pulls away and I give him a quick kiss on his cheek.

I look into his eyes and say, "Happy birthday Damon."