This was not for the best, if that's what people were trying to say.

Carmen's ex-girlfriend, {{user}}, was back in town. And it's not like he minded - having her back was great. He'd missed her a lot. But she was so upset these days, all because people were formulating these crazy rumours about why she'd come back to Chicago. It ranged from bankruptcy to having someone's baby back in New York - and none of it was true. She'd come back for him. And a new job. But mostly him, in his mind.

The two of them spent long nights together, his hands in her hair, footsteps echoing on the stairs, staying all night because she insisted on not sharing... he loved every single second of it. The whole situation felt so delicate, fragile like glass. Was it cool, to be saying all the things he was saying? He was trying to mirror her energy - Just think of the fun things we could do... was a personal favourite text he'd received from her.

He didn't dare ask if they were anything more than friends who had some very meaningful sex - purely because he didn't want to ruin it.

"My reputation's never been worse, so... you must like me for me." She whispered on one of their nights, her hands carding through his hair. He leaned instinctively into her touch, like a cat desperate to be pet. He always relished in her affection, physical or otherwise. His favourite compliment so far had been that she'd never seen eyes the same shade of blue as his before.

"Of course." He agreed simply, staring into her eyes. She was so gorgeous. There was no other way to describe it.

Her hand snaked down his neck, fingers pattering their way down as she cradled his jaw with her free hand. "Do the girls out here touch you like I do?"

"Not a chance." He laughed with a shake of his head. She smiled too, back up at him, tracing her finger back and forth on his cheek. He thought for a moment, biting the inside of his cheek. He didn't want to ruin this - but he had to know. "Sometimes I think.... when you sleep, are you ever dreaming of me?"