I felt like crap. I had been feeling like crap for two weeks, ever since that god forsaken morning I had woken up to the realization that I had slept with Damon. He had wrapped his arms around me in the kitchen, obviously expecting us to go for round two, I had told him that we needed to talk, and that's when he had reminded me that in our recklessness last night, we had forgotten to use a condom. It seemed naive of me, but I wasn't too worried. I knew I was clean and that I was on the pill, and as stupid as it sounds, I trusted Damon. I felt guilty about that night, I knew for a damned fact that the only reason I had slept with him was because of running into Jenny, and feeling so shit about the words she had spoken to me, and that wasn't fair. The guilt seeped through my pores until I saw the look on Damon's face when I had asked if we could still be friends. It was blank, empty, and completely void of any emotion. He had left, promising to call me. But a few days later, with still no phone call, it had occurred to me: He had finally got what he wanted. The realisation hit me while I was walking to my car after a long shift at the bar, a night of watching drunk men prey on their booty call for the evening had inspired me to recall the Damon I had met the first night at Mint. The arrogant douche bag who had done nothing but stare at my breasts for the short time that I was in his presence. I had tried to tell myself that the last few weeks had been different, that I had seen a side of him that he kept hidden from most people, and that we were developing a great friendship. But it suddenly seemed that it was all a carefully played out game in which he made me think he was an actual human being, fucked me and then hit the road. It all started to make sense. How could I be so stupid and gullible, I should have seen our relationship for what it truly was. I was nothing more than a twisted challenge for his over sized ego. I don't think I have ever felt such fury and anger in my entire life. It shouldn't have bugged me as much as it had, it seemed we had both used each other that night, but for completely different reasons. Mine was for comfort; his was to validate his manhood. I lost count of how many times I picked up my cell phone and dialled his number. I wanted to scream at him and call him every name under the sun, but right before I pressed dial each time, I decided I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing that I was upset with him.

Caroline had been swamped with work. She had a traineeship at a top Interior Design firm in town, and they were undertaking a chain of new hotels in the area, so I had barely seen or spoken to her in over a week. I was elated when she texted me and asked me if I wanted to meet her for lunch on Wednesday by the harbour. She could be neurotic and completely self absorbed, But she was a great friend and I loved her dearly. As much as I didn't want to admit how upset I was, I really did need a girlfriend to talk to. I was the first to arrive at the cafe. I had picked a table outside on the terrace with a view of the whole harbour. No matter how many times I came here, the view still took my breath away. I was sipping my glass of water when Caroline came breezing through the entrance. She was wearing a white and yellow fitted sundress, with oversized sunglasses and a matching yellow handbag. I had to hand it to my best friend, she always looked immaculate.

"Sorry I'm late hun," She greeted, kissing me on the cheek and sitting down opposite me, "Petra called and needed me to deliver the lobby paint samples as soon as possible,"

"No worries," I smiled at her, "So, the evil boss has got you running around like a mad woman?"

"You have no idea!" She gushed, "I've been working 13 hour days, and we're still running behind schedule, I just have no idea how we're going to get anything finished!"

"I'm sure you'll manage, you're great are your job Care," I smiled softly. She studied me for a moment as I sipped my water

"Enough about me, what's new with you?" She asked as she opened the menu

"Not much, just the usual," I told

"The usual being, slaving your ass at the bar then playing with your Hollywood toy boy on your days off?" She smirked. I felt my face drop a little bit as I buried it in the menu

"Yeah, I've been working a lot," I told

"How is Damon anyway? The last time I saw him he was carrying your drunk ass out of the club at Clare's Birthday," She said with a smirk

"He's good I guess," I told vaguely, Caroline continued to study me

"Alright Paige, what's going on?" She asked bluntly, I looked up from my menu and stared at her

"What do you mean?" I asked, trying to play it cool

"You've been quiet from the second I got here, and as soon as Damon's name is mentioned you bury your whole face in the menu. I know it's a great cafe but I doubt the food is that interesting," She said. I looked my friend in the eye, contemplating how to explain the Damon situation without sounding upset for the wrong reasons.

"I just haven't seen him much lately is all," I said simply. She crossed her arms

"Any particular reason for that?" She questioned. I put my menu down and took a deep breath

"We slept together," I told, getting it out as quickly as I could. I saw her face change from shock, to surprise, to the biggest grin known to mankind.

".God," She huffed, I heard a girlish squeal escape her lips as she clapped her hands together, "I knew this was going to happen, god I'm so happy for you two,"

I stared at my friend in confusion, had she not heard a word I had said? "Caroline, it's not like that at all,"

"What are you talking about?" She asked. The waiting came over to take our order, but Caroline quickly shooed him away and told him we would need some more time, "What happened? Tell me everything!"

I took a giant gulp of my water before I began my story. Of how Jenny had brought up the past by mentioning him, how Damon had spoken such sweet words to me in the cab home. And how it had led to completely and utterly mind blowing sex. Wait what! Don't lie to yourself Paige, you know it was. "And I haven't heard from him since. I'm furious at him though I mean, I thought for a while there we were really friends but, I guess that was all just a lie so he could get into my pants. I guess I should have expected it,"

Caroline sat staring at me for a moment with a perplexed look on her face. She took a sip of water from her glass, "You, my dear friend, are a complete and utter idiot,"

My mouth fell open at her words, "Excuse me?"

"You really don't think the reason he hasn't called you is because he pulled a hit it and quit it do you?" She asked. It seemed like more of a statement then a question though

"What other explanation is there Care? I mean, if he truly was my friend, you would think we would be able to put this thing behind us," I said, she shook her head with an almost laugh

"You still don't get it do you," She breathed

"Get what?" I asked confused

"The boy is in love with you," She told with a smile. I stared at her with shock and complete disbelief

"Caroline, be serious!" I said, "I hardly think that is the case"

"Don't pretend like you don't notice the way he looks at you Paige," She replied

"I don't notice anything because he doesn't look at me any different than anybody else," I retorted

"Keep telling yourself that," She laughed, "Just, do me a favour. Don't be so hard on the kid. Why don't you go and talk to him. I'm sure you'll work it out,"

"Since when are you on his side?" I asked

"I'm not. I'm on yours. Which is why I think you should go and talk to him," She smiled.

After lunch I couldn't get Caroline's words out of my head. She needed to be committed; there was no way in hell or high water that Damon Salvatore was in love with me. I mean, we barely knew each other. Sure, he had kissed me once, but that was before we were friends. Caroline was right about one thing though. I did need to talk to him. Little did I know it would be a lot sooner than I had anticipated. I was pulling a tray of pint glasses out of the dish washer at work when Mia, another bartender, came running up to me all flushed.

"Paige. Oh, my god, you will not guess who just walked through the door!" She gushed

"Who?" I asked curiously

"Damon freaking Salvatore!" She squealed. Of course it was...

"No kidding," I said sarcastically, although it was completely lost on her

"I heard he was in town, but I can't believe he is actually here! Please oh please will you let me serve him Paige!" She begged. It still amazed me what an effect he had on women, young and old

"Sure Mia, go ahead," I said with the fakest smile I could muster. I walked behind the main fridge and observed him as he walked through the bar and found a stool down the far end. He looked like shit. His eyes were bloodshot, he had bags underneath them, and his raven hair was scruffier then usual. I had never seen him look like this. And it broke my heart a little. Mia approached him with a look of desire on her face, she asked him for his order, and busied herself in making his scotch. He rubbed his forehead sluggishly with his left arm and barely acknowledged Mia as she returned with his drink. I weighed up my options carefully, and ultimately decided that hiding in the back was childish. I waited until Mia had disappeared down the end of the bar to serve another customer before I approached him. As I drew nearer, I was able to fully take him in and realized that he looked worse then I had originally thought. He looked like he hadn't shaved in days and the black collared shirt he was wearing looked like it hadn't been washed in a while. I finally reached the bar and stood directly opposite him. He didn't look up, nor seem to notice my presence. I racked my nervous brain, trying to think of something appropriate to say.

"Hey," Was all I managed to squeak out. I was sure the trepidation in my voice was obvious. He lifted his head up lazily and locked eyes with me. His baby blues were filled with something I couldn't quite put my finger on. We stared at each other for what felt like a lifetime, before he quickly picked up his drink, finishing the contents, and stood of his stool to walk away. What the fuck was his problem? I felt raw and exposed. My friend couldn't even do me the decency of greeting me, and it made me feel sick to my stomach. A part of me just wanted to crawl up into a ball and forget about everything, but the other part forced my legs to move towards the entrance. I told Mia I was taking my break and followed the brooding asshole out of the bar.

"Salvatore!" I called out, as I saw him walking away ahead of me up the street, "Damon!" I felt my pace began to quicken as my walk turned into a run. I knew he could hear me, the streets were quiet tonight and there weren't many people around, He was just being a stubborn asshole. I was finally within a few metres of him when I stopped suddenly "Damon Salvatore if you don't stop and talk to me right now, so help me god I will kick your ass all the way back to Hollywood" This had done it, he stopped in his tracks and slowly turned around to face me. His face was blank, the same way it was the morning after we had slept together, "So what, you're too good to talk to me now? You can't, pick up the phone or send me a message, or hell, say hello to me when you walk into my work, what kind of bullshit is that Damon?" He stood staring at me like we were strangers, and all it did was fuel my anger, "Fucking answer me!"

He licked his bottom lip slowly before he opened his mouth, "I've been busy,"

I couldn't help the chortle that escaped my lips at his response, "Busy? Oh yeah because your schedule is so full on when you're on vacation,"

This remark seemed to upset him, and for a moment I saw a glimpse of my friend, "I've been hanging out with some friends for your information,"

"Friends? Well considering the only one you have in this town is standing right in front of you, I highly doubt that's the case,"

"Do you always have to be such a smartass Matthews," He said

"Do you always have to be such a stubborn ass Salvatore," I yelled. We both stood staring each other down for a few moments before we both burst into a fit of laughter, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled at you like that,"

"Yeah you should have," He said quietly, "I've been an ass,"

"I shouldn't be so hard on you, I wasn't exactly blowing up your cell phone either," I responded, he took a small step towards me; he seemed to be lost for words "Where have you been Damon? If I've upset you in anyway, please tell me,"

He opened his mouth to say something, but obviously changed his mind at the last minute. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes slightly, before re opening them and smiling at me. I saw a small fire return to his hooded eyes, "You haven't done anything Paige; I've been a complete dick. I should have called you,"

"Yeah you should have," I said with a smile. I couldn't control my body as it thrust itself towards him and threw my hands around his neck, "I've missed my friend,"

"I know," He cooed in my ear,

"So are we okay?" I asked pulling away from him and studying his face, I was searching for any clue as to what he was thinking

"We'll be fine as soon as you release me from your Vulcan death grip," He chuckled, I laughed as I let go of my tight grip around his neck

"Sorry," I muttered, "I've got a half an hour break, do you want to go and grab some coffee?"

"Sure," He smiled. A few minutes later we were sitting in Billy's Cafe, a late night haunt that was popular with the cool kids of the neighbourhood. It was filled with local art and played soothing music that forced you to relax. I felt nervous as I sipped my coffee; I felt his eyes staring me down the whole time.

"So do you care to explain while you have been avoiding me for the better half of the last two weeks?" I asked bluntly, he put his coffee down with a small smirk

"Can't we just chalk it up to me being a complete and utter asshole and leave it at that?" He asked cheekily, I rolled my eyes at him

"I guess we can," I replied, "I've missed this,"

'What?" He asked quietly

"Hanging out with you," I smiled honestly. I truly had.

"Yeah I know," He said, with a hint of guilt in his tone.

"I owe you an apology Damon," I began. I knew that with us being on thin ice it probley wasn't the best time for me to bring this up, but I needed him to know my reasons for our night of passion. I needed him to understand why I was so closed off all the time, why it was so difficult for me to trust people

"You don't owe me anything Paige, really," He said

"I need you to know this, I think it will help you understand my behaviour the other night, and perhaps just my behaviour in general, a little bit better," I said. He sat patiently, smiling softly to let me know he wanted me to continue. "Do you remember the girl from the other night, Jenny?"

"Plastic Fantastic? Who could forget?" He replied with a chuckle, I smiled gently

"Well, I was in a relationship with her brother, Tyler, for around 4 years," I said, "We met when I was still living back home with my family in Melbourne, I had just graduated high school and he was visiting his aunt for the summer, she lived next door and we soon started a teenage romance. We were young and in love, my family didn't approve of him very much. And by the end of the summer, he convinced me to move over here with him. My father was furious, I have been accepted into a great university close to home, and he said I was throwing it all away for some playboy who didn't even care about me. But when you're 18 and in love, you never listen to the voice of reason," Damon nodded at me to continue with my story, "The first couple of years were great, I started studying film, made some great friends when I met Caroline and his sister Jenny, and I was more in love than ever. The Christmas I was 20 he proposed, and we were planning an August wedding. My family, didn't understand, they thought I was young and reckless, and was throwing away my future for him. But I loved him, I truly did. My family stopped returning my phone calls after that. 2 months later, I found out I was pregnant, Tyler seemed over the moon about the entire thing and I thought I was about to get my happy ending. I dropped out of school and started working part time as a receptionist" I stopped and took a deep breath, willing myself the courage to tell him how it all went wrong from there. I hadn't spoken of this in a very long time, "Tyler started acting differently after that, he worked late, and we barely saw each other. I wasn't feeling very well at work one afternoon so I had decided to go home early. They obviously didn't hear me come in because when I reached the top of the stairs to investigate the strange noises coming from our bedroom, they were still having sex. I was so shocked by what I had seen; I didn't realize that I had backed up so far as to edge of the staircase. I fell, and well," I took a sip of my coffee, trying to hold back my tears. Damon placed his hand gently over mine to let me know it was okay. I appreciated his comfort, "He didn't even come to the hospital to see me. Three days later, I was discharged, and came home to find the locks had been changed and he had packed up all my stuff. Apparently, he and this Jules person had been sleeping together for about 6 months. I was a wreck, I'd not only lost my child, my fiancée and my house, but I lost myself. Jenny stopped speaking to me and for a while there things got very dark. But Caroline helped me so much along the way. She let me stay with her until I sorted my life back out. I re-enrolled back in school, got a job and eventually moved into my apartment."

"Paige, I'm so sorry," He said in an almost whisper

"I'm not telling you this because I want your pity Damon; I just want you to understand. The other night was the first time that I had seen Jenny since it happened. It took me a long time to move on with my life, and seeing her again, having her tell me about Tyler and Jules's engagement, it brought back a lot of those old feelings of hurt and abandonment. I drank so much that night and you were being such a good friend to me, you comforted me and made me feel special. I took advantage of that for my own selfish reasons, I needed to feel wanted by someone again, and that wasn't fair on you," I explained, "The past two weeks I've been furious at you for not calling me, but I think I was more furious at myself for risking our friendship like that. I really hope, from the bottom of my heart, that we can move past this, because as much as you irritate the living shit out of me Salvatore, I like having you as a part of my life,"

Damon smiled at me sweetly. It was the first time all night that he looked like himself, and it warmed my heart. I knew instantly from the look on his face that we were going to be okay

"I missed you kid," He grinned at me, taking my hand lightly, "And if I ever meet this Tyler kid, I hope you realize I'm kicking his fucking ass,"

I laughed dryly. We were going to be just fine.

A/N God I wish these two love birds would just get over their issues already! Things are about to heat up, an appearance by Tyler, Jules AND Jenny in the next Chapter! Stay tuned kids and as always, thanks for the love