Candace sets her glass down on a nearby table and walks back into the house just as the bell rings again. She answers it and is met with those blue eyes she's been dying to see all day.

"Hey!" She says smiling.

"Hey, Candace sorry we're late" He says gesturing to himself and Xavier who is holding a gift in is tiny hands.

"No you're just in time come on in everyone's in the backyard."

Jeremy looks so good as usual. He's wearing a fitted cream colored long sleeve shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows it really makes his muscles prominent and she is also wearing a navy blue slacks with a black belt. He looks so clean and put together but still casual. Xavier looks adorable in his blue spiderman shirt and cargo shorts.

"Let me introduce you to everyone"

She says, opening the door to the backyard.

"Wow" Jeremy says, taking in the backyard "You guys really go all out"

Candace shrugs. "Trust me, This is nothing"

He stares questioningly at her but she just smiles and gestures to Amanda who is near the bounce house.

"That's my daughter, Amanda come here!" She shouts and Amanda comes bouncing over seconds later.

"Ah so this is the birthday girl"

Jeremy says smiling down at the girl.

He kneels down so he is closer to her level.

"You are just gorgeous" He says causing Amanda to blush and say thank you.

"My name is Jeremy I work with your mom. This is my son Xavier, he's 5, we brought you a gift" he says and Xavier hands her the gift.

Her eyes lit up. "Thank you Mr. Jeremy! And Zavier" she says taking it.

"I'll put that with the rest of your gifts hun" Candace says taking it from her.

Amanda nods and takes Xavier's hand.

"Let's go !"

Candace smiles as she watches them run away.

"He's truly ador-" she pauses when she notices him staring at her. Or rather at her outfit. "Able" she finishes trying not to squirm under his gaze.

He quickly moves his eyes back to her face and smiles like nothing happened

"Oh yes thanks he's my whole world."

"If you don't mind me asking where is his.."

"Mother?" Jeremy asked knowing where the question is going.

"She passed a few months after he was born.

"I'm sorry" she says, kicking herself for asking.

"What about you? You're a single parent..what's your story?"

Candace's gives a tight lipped smile. "Well that is a long story but to make it short I was young when I had Amanda. Her father and I went to the same college both thought getting married was the right thing but he decided he didn't want to raise a child and left me when she was 4 months old.

Jeremy winced. "Sorry"

"don't apologize it's not like you did it"

He chuckles. "True but it's still a shitty thing for a man to do."

Candace shrugs. "Anyways would you like a drink?" She says changing the subject.

He nods and she gestures for him to sit while she goes to the drinks table. As she is pouring a drink Stacy comes up to her smiling like an idiot. Candace blushes and sighs.

"Shut up"

"he's totally into you"

"Stacy!"

"I'm just saying!"

"He just got here! How could you possibly know that?"

"I bet you 20 bucks he's staring at you right now"

Candace rolls her eyes. "You're delusional."

"If I'm delusional then turn around"

Candace discreetly turns her head and smirks. Jeremy who is looking in their direction raising a hand to wave at Stacy who is smiles and waves back.

"Told ya! You owe me 20. Now run along to the hot rich blonde while I go spoil my God daughter" she says floating away towards the kids. Candace rolls her eyes playfully and grabs the two drinks she made and carried them over to him.

"Here you go"

"I see your friend is here. Didn't actually get a chance to meet her but she's been grinning in my direction since I got here..I take that as a good thing?" He asks taking the cup from her.

Candace laughs. "Sorry about that Stacy is well Stacy."

He nods. "Understood"

"Daddy look!" Jeremy's head turns at the sound of his son's voice. The little boy has gotten his face painted and half of his face is painted like spiderman.

"Wow buddy look at you!" He says lifting up Xavier and putting him in his lap.

"This is so fun!" He says smiling.

"That's great bud! Go play in the bounce house. Then Later we can have cake."

"Yay!"

Candace smiles at the interaction and watched the little boy scamper back to the bounce house.

"So you grew up here?" He says looking around the spacious backyard.

"Yup"

"Funny my family home isn't too far from here either."

Candace raises an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Yeah! A few blocks down actually."

"In that case you should know of my brothers and their ridiculous shenanigans"

"nah I went to boarding school most of my teen years and then went away for college."

Candace nods. "Would you like a tour?"

He looks at her and smirks. "Yes. Yes I would"

Candace stands up and gestures for him to follow her. He takes another look towards the bounce house to make sure his son is okay which Candace thinks is adorable and then follows her.

"So this is the living room where I watched plenty of mindless tv."

Jeremy chuckles.

"This is the kitchen where I once made Jello in the shape of my crushes head."

"Impressive"

"I know right?"

"That's the restroom no need for a tour they all look the same."

"Very true"

She leads him upstairs and hesitates at the top. Did she really wanna show her boss/really hot guy her childhood bedroom? Well there no turning back now"

"This is my room" She says pushing the door open.

"My daughter uses it now when she visits her grandparents"

Jeremy looks around. "Nice very. Pink"

Candace covers her face. Yup terrible idea.

"Yes it is"

"Kindve like your cheeks right now"

Candace's eyes widened and she covers her cheeks with her hands.

"What?!"

He chuckles pulling her hands away.

"Don't worry.. It's cute"

Candace blushes even harder cursing her pale complexion. She bites her lip and his eyes travel to her lips and back to her eyes. That's when she realizes that they are alone..in a bedroom not like it's the first time but she is drinking this time so that doesn't count. Plus she never thought she'd see him again. Boy was she wrong. His face gets closer to hers until she can feel his breath on her cheek. His smell is intoxicating as she gets a Whiff of his cologne. It is like she is under a spell. His eyes travel to her lips once more and he moves closer to her. Is he gonna kiss her? Her heart is pounding and she closes her eyes waiting for his lips to meet her when suddenly..

"Candace! Are you up there? We're gonna cut the cake!" She hears her mom yell from down stairs.

She opens her eyes and sees he has stepped back to his original position.

He has an unreadable expression on his face and she clears her throat.

"Um we-we Should"

He nods. "Ofcourse- um-after you"

He clears his throat guesturing to the open door. She nods and goes first and he follows down the stairs and back to the backyard where Phineas is bringing out the cake she had made. It is topped with 7 pink candles and all the kids gathered around looking excited. Xavier spots his dad and smiles running up to him and Jeremy smiles and picks him up. Candace goes and stands next to Amanda smiling at her.

"Happy birthday sweetie" Amanda beams as the candles are lit. They sing happy birthday and she blows out the candles.

"What did you wish for?" Candace asks.

Amanda shakes her head. "I can't tell you mommy or it won't come true."

Candace laughs. "Alright hun then why don't we have some cake?"

They cut the cake and are handing out slices of the red velvet cake. Candace and Amanda sat down at a small table with Jeremy and X, who is digging into his cake like he is starving.

"Slow down there buddy" jeremy laughs looking at the small boy.

"Sowydadit'sjustshogood" he says with his mouth full causing Candace to chuckle.

Jeremy takes a bite and raises an eyebrow in surprise.

"Wow that is good"

Candace scoffs. "You say that like it's a surprise"

He shakes his head. "I'm sorry I didn't mean-"

Candace laughs. "It's okay Jeremy I know you didn't mean anything by it"

He gives a small smile and takes another bite.

"So Mr. Jeremy do you like my mom?"

Jeremy chokes on his cake and Candace stares at her daughter wide eyed.

"Amanda! We don't ask people those questions!" Amanda frowns and let out a tiny "sorry"

Jeremy recovers and looks at the scolded girl.

"Ehem don't worry about it. I -uh well I think your mom is very nice and beautiful"

Candace blushes and Amanda smiles at him.

"Do you think I'm beautiful like mommy?"

Jeremy laughs. "Yes yes you are"

Xavier groans after finishing his cake.

"Daddy can I go play?"

Jeremy checks his watch and sighs. "Sorry buddy we have to go now."

The little boy frowns and let out an "awe"

"I know buddy I'm sorry but you know daddy has a meeting at 4 and I gotta get you to Grandmas.

"Okay" he says tearing up and breaking Candace's heart.

"Hey buddy you can come back anytime and have a play date with Amanda. I'll even bake cookies next time okay?"

The boy perks up. "Really?!"

Jeremy looked at her and she stiffened.

"I-if that's okay with your dad" Xavier looks up at his dad hopefully.

"Pwease daddy?"

Jeremy looks at his son and rolls his eyes knowing he wouldn't say no to that face.

"Sure bud. Thanks Candace"

She relaxes and smiles "no problem"

"Okay well we have to go but I'll see you at work on Monday"

"Bye Manda!" Xavier yells, waving at Amanda who waved back.

He turnes and leaves and she has to admit as much as she hates him leaving she loved to watch him go. That man was built like a Greek God. It wasn't fair.

"Mommy why are you staring at Mr. Jeremy's butt?"

Candace snapped out of it and blushed. "I'm not! I was just-um- just making sure his pants weren't on backwards"

she mentally slapped herself.

"Whatever you say mommy I'm going to go get my face painted."

Candace nods "You do that honey" She says desperately needing a drink.

Let me know your thoughts comments are always appreciated