Ever since Salvatore's Bar & Grill opened its doors, Stefan Salvatore always felt that he was more serious about the business than his partner and older brother Damon. Not to say that Damon did not work, because he did, but most of the time he was trying to also have a good time. Almost daily Damon was giving out shots on the house and joining in with the crowd while Stefan could be found in the office most of the time. It probably didn't help that Damon's girlfriend (who also worked there) was Stefan's ex-girlfriend. Sure, time had passed and Stefan felt like for the most part he had moved on, but he often felt awkward to be around them unless he had to.

Damon just chalked it up as his brother being a brooding type, while he himself was the life of the party. Did Stefan even enjoy having a good time? Yeah, he did. There were days in his late teens that he probably had a little too much fun, but he liked to think that he had grown up. That he had learned from the mistakes he made, and now he could just sit back and enjoy things moderately.

However, lately he was more on edge than normal, and he hated to admit a lot of it had to do with Elena's work. It seemed like he was the one who was picking up and she was getting away with it because she was Damon's girlfriend. He didn't know what was going on with her lately, but he wasn't sure it was his place to know. Sure, if you didn't know the two they would tell you they were friends, and Elena wanted them to be friends. Stefan tried, but he kept her at an arm's length and that worked best for him. The problem was she was an employee and he felt like Damon needed to put his feelings aside and they needed to discuss her work, but that wasn't happening anytime soon.


The place was pretty busy with the Friday night crowd, and everything seemed to be running smoothly. Stefan emerged from the back carrying a crate to bring behind the bar to refill some bottles of alcohol that were starting to run low. He scanned the area, only coming to the pause when he saw her It was the very woman he had accidentally walked in on in the bathroom only days prior.

He had not been blind to the fact that she was beautiful, but the situation had been awkward and the fact immediately after the encounter he had to wait on her and her company. She obviously was annoyed, the bitterness of her tone made that obvious and it somehow only bothered Stefan more due to the mood he was in. However, now as he watched her he could tell she seemed more carefree. A smile on her lips as she moved her head to side to side, her hair bouncing around with her movements.

"You're staring," an amused voice next to him pulled him from his thoughts. Turning his head, he saw Elena standing next to him smirking, "Thankfully I think she-," turning her head towards the girl in question, "is far enough away to not notice, but then again, sometimes girls have a keen sense when it comes to those types of things."

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"Stefan, we're friends-" her voice was hesitant, almost as if she was unsure that they were, "Right?"

"Yes," he said with a nod as he looked at her, turning his body slightly. He may not always enjoy being around her and Damon, but he knew she was his friend. Time had passed, but sometimes he had to admit it wasn't that he missed her, but he missed being with someone and Damon and Elena reminded him of that. However, that was something Stefan was unwilling to admit out loud. It was better that way.

"Then I think," She smirked and looked back in the direction of the blonde, "You should buy her a drink."

"I don't know if it constitutes as buying if I own the bar."

Rolling her eyes, she playfully nudged him, "Okay, so give her a drink on the house. You are single, so have some fun."


Caroline had every intention of spending the night in with a glass of wine and Netflix. Her own personal Netflix and chill, granted it had a completely innocent meaning compared to what people usually associated with him. However, Bonnie was having none of that and since her mother was more than willing to take her grandson for the night, she figured she'd go out and have a little fun. Of course she had to admit that when she realized they were going to Salvatore's Bar and Grill Caroline was a little hesitant. Or well, maybe was just a bit embarrassed by what happened last time she was there. Then again, let bygones be bygones.

She had to admit that she was glad that she had gone out at Bonnie's urging, she was honestly having a good time. They were in the far corner of the bar chatting with some guys who were probably more interested in what they were like in bed than actually what they wanted to say, but Caroline couldn't really remember the last time she had a guy show interest in. Always burying herself in work or focusing on her son, she kind of forgotten about that part of her life.

Pulling out her phone to check the time, she leaned into Bonnie, "hey I'll be right back, I'm just going to check in with my mom."

Bonnie smiled and shook her head, "you know he's fine, Care."

"I know, but I just want to check," she excused herself, rolling her eyes as one of the guys told her to come back. She slipped outside and dialed her mom's number, "Hey I just wanted to call and check in, is he awake? Oh no, let him sleep. Everything is good though? He ate all his food?" she smiled as she listened to her mom tell her about everything, "okay, well I'll be there in the morning to pick him up."

Hanging up, she slipped her phone back into her pocket and turned to go inside, but instead she found herself bumping into something hard, "Oh, I'm sorry-," she looked up to see a familiar face, "Oh, it's you." Reaching up, Caroline pushed some hair out of her face and took a step back realizing how close she had been to him, "Are you following me?" As soon as the words left her mouth she realized how dumb they sounded.

"I think that be a little hard since I-,"

"since you work here," she finished his sentencing assuming that's what he was going to say.

"Hey, listen-," he swallowed hard as he found his eyes truly taking in how gorgeous she was. "I really wanted to apologize about the bathroom thing. The girl that was supposed to stock the bathroom wasn't here, so I ended up doing it and I didn't realize I'd be walking in on-," he kind of just motioned to her with his hands.

"Me with my shirt completely unbuttoned," she let out a small laugh. When she had gotten home later that day she had felt bad for possibly coming across annoyed at the guy just doing his job, "I'm sorry if I was- a bitch?"

He shook his head, "no, no, you weren't at all. I definitely should have waited longer before I went in."

"It's fine. It's over and done with," she nodded and then looked towards the door, "I should probably get back inside."

"Yeah," he hadn't been entirely sure why he had come outside. Well, okay for one thing he actually did follow her outside in hopes of maybe getting the chance to talk to her. "Hey, can I buy you a drink? Even if it's over and done with I'd really like to."

Caroline pursed her lips and thought about it for a moment, "yeah, sure I guess that be cool."

Stefan moved towards the door and opened it, motioning for her to go in first, "ladies first."

They headed back inside and over to the bar, Caroline noticed Bonnie looking at her from the other side and all she could do was shrug her shoulders. "I think I'll have-," she mulled it over for a moment, "A vodka and cranberry, thank you."

"Hey Elena, a vodka and cranberry for her and a bourbon, neat for me."

Elena smiled, "you got it boss!" she gave a little wink at him before going to make their drinks.

Raising her eyebrow, Caroline looked at him curiously, "boss?"

"Yeah," Stefan licked his lips and bit down on his bottom lip, "I kind of own the place. Well, myself and my brother that is."

"Oh!" she exclaimed, "I- I didn't know. That's pretty cool though! So wait, are one of you named Salvatore or?"

"Last name-," he paused, realizing he had no idea what her name was, "I have no idea what your name is."

"Caroline," she laughed, "Caroline Forbes."

"Stefan," he held out his hand so they could shake, "Stefan Salvatore." Once the drinks arrived, he picked up both glasses and handed her's to her and took a sip of his, "So do you actually come here a lot or is it just a two time thing?"

Sipping her own drink, she shook her head, "I've been here a couple times. I actually don't get out that much."

"Workaholic?" he inquired as he noticed a piece of hair had fallen in front of her face. Without even thinking he reached out and pushed it away. Gulping as his fingers lightly brushed her cheek.

Caroline chewed on her bottom lip as she looked into his eyes, they seemed like the kind of eyes you could get lost in, "Kind of- I run my own event planning business, but my-," she paused wondering if she should mention if she had a son or not. However, she noticed his eyebrow raise as he was waiting for her to continue, "my son keeps me pretty busy."

Stefan nodded as he took another sip and looked back towards the bar for a moment, "how old is he?" he brought his gaze back to her with a smile on his face.

"He's four," she didn't often talk to random guys about her son, but then again she didn't often talk to random guys.

"Care," Bonnie slipped up next to Caroline, "there you are!" she looked towards Stefan for a moment before looking back at her best friend.

"Oh hey Bonnie!" she smiled happily at her best friend, "Stefan, this is my best friend Bonnie. Bonnie, this is Stefan he owns this place along with his brother."

"Pleased to meet you," Stefan said with a little smile and raise of his glass.

"You too," Bonnie gave him a sincere smile before turning back to Caroline, "I actually think I'm going to head home. Those guys got a little," she just rolled her eyes not even wanting to finish, "Are you going to stay or-"

"Oh!" She put down her drink and turned to Stefan, "I should be going myself. Thank you so much for the drink."

"No problem," he gave a nod, suddenly sad over the fact he actually wasn't going to be able to really get to talk to her. As Caroline began to talk to leave with her friend, he cleared his throat, "hey, cou- could I get your number?"

Caroline turned to look at him before looking back at Bonnie who was shaking her head with a smirk, "Yeah totally! Can I see your phone?" She waited for him to pull his phone out and hand it to her. She put her name and number in his phone and handed it back, "There you go! Just text me."

He smirked, "Is this even your real number?"

She grinned widely at him, "I guess you're just going to have to find out." She turned on her heel and walked towards the exit with Bonnie, a smile on her face at the random turn of events.

"Who was that?"


A/N: And there is chapter two! I'm going to start trying to work on chapter three asap while the ideas are flowing in my head. Hopefully you enjoyed!