The Bachelorette

Episode 3

"Did you ever finish that puzzle?" Lauren dared to ask. Camila's lips curved down slightly and then she bit her lip.

"I think I just did."

Lauren knew that memory like the back of her hand. In fact, she knew it better than the back of her hand, she knew it like she knew the creases and bumps of Camila's body; something she would never forget.

The last time they saw each other was under a year ago, four years after they broke up. Lauren moved back to Miami and Camila was with her fiancé at the time, visiting her parents. The ex couple bumped into each other and stayed for a very uncomfortable, awkward coffee where Lauren learned about the engagement.

Ever since that moment, Lauren became determined to changed Camila's answer. She'd start a new puzzle from scratch if she had to. All she knew was that she couldn't let their story finish, especially when it was her fault and she knew it was so far from being done.

"You know that's hard for me to believe, right? It hard for me to trust that it's been hard for you since you broke it off. Fuck, it's hard for me to even trust you." Camila finally turned her head to look at Lauren.

"I'm not asking you to trust me right off the bat, I'm asking you to give me the chance to earn your trust back."

Camila nodded slowly, taking everything in and agreeing at the same time.

"I think I should probably give someone else some time with you. Especially considering they don't know you like I do." Lauren didn't mean for her comment to come out maliciously, and it didn't exactly come out like that, but it did serve as a reminder to Camila that Lauren had the upper hand here. Lauren was familiar.

Camila nodded, still looking down at the water. Lauren took a breath before leaning in to place a gentle kiss on her cheek. Her plan, however, backfired when Camila quickly turned her head, unaware of Lauren's proximity or plan. They both froze, now centimetres away from each other.

Lauren couldn't help but look down at Camila's lips, vaguely remembering how soft and supple they were. Camila's lips were by far Lauren's favourite part of her ex girlfriend. Once Camila noticed Lauren looking down, she gave herself a split second to look as well.

This wasn't how Lauren wanted their second first kiss to go. It wasn't going to be based on pure desire and heat of the moment. Because of this, Lauren, before anything could happen, turned her head and placed a gentle kiss that was a little too short lived for either of their liking on Camila's cheek. That was fine, though, because Lauren didn't want to rush anything and Camila wanted to take her time. For the first time in almost five years, they were on the same page.

"I'll see you later." Lauren spoke softly and quietly made her way back to the house, picking up her heels on the way.

Camila had a lot to think about.

She was quickly reminded by the camera crew that there was no time for thinking; not now anyway.

Following Lauren was Ariana who found Camila. She helped Camila up, and proposed a walk. Camila was all for it, suddenly needing a walk.

"I would ask you how much a polar bear weighs but I'm way too nervous and I'm pretty sure you've already heard it before." Ariana kept her gaze on the floor, nervously playing with her hands.

"Awe," Camila giggled. "I guarantee you I'm a little more nervous. But that was a good ice breaker, whether intentional or not."

"So I'm not off to a horrible start?" Ariana looked at Camila.

"Far from horrible." Camila reassured. "So why are you here?"

"I'm going to be completely honest," Camila nodded slowly. "My Nonna is a huge fan of the show and when they announced you were going to be on it, she quite literally shipped us."