Thank you for your support. I really hope that you are enjoying this easy-breezy Bamon, with very minimal drama. Please enjoy this update and please leave a note to show your love/like.
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Vienna
Damon paused at the door of Cup of Life holding his umbrella as the drops of rain fell around him. He'd had a rough two weeks with Andie and playing referee between her and the rest of the female staff. It turned out that Anna's words were more of a premonition than a thought, when he walked into the lounge before opening one night to Alaric standing between Andie and another waitress, Rose. The two women were screaming at each other and trying to claw each other's eyes out. The night ended with Andie screaming at him and stomping out of the lounge. Their conversations had been strained since then and on this rainy morning, he found himself not bothering to putting on his jogging clothes. He slipped on jeans and a t-shirt, Sandy barely glanced at him as she went back to sleep as he left the condo. Now he stood outside of the bistro staring at Bonnie at a table. He saw the two cups, hers and another and he hesitated. He wasn't sure why exactly…or he took it back, he knew why. Over the past couple of weeks, meeting Bonnie at the coffee shop had become one of the few times that he didn't feel like he had to make someone happy. He could relax and that kind of unnerved him, since they were still virtually strangers. He slowly opened the door and made his way into the coffee shop, she didn't look up as he made eye contact with Barry before taking a seat across from her.
"Well I am honored," he smiled at her.
She looked up from her iPad, "Well I was planning to drink the Vienna too if you didn't show up. I wasn't sure if the rain would keep you away," she gave him a wry smile. After a couple of weeks of this little game, it was a habit for either Bonnie or Damon to buy the other a cup of coffee.
"The rain kept me from running, that's for sure."
Bonnie looked around, "Where's Sandy?"
"Sandy doesn't come outside if it rains."
Bonnie chuckled, "A girl after my own heart."
"Maybe," Damon sipped the coffee, "getting better."
"I try," she shrugged.
Damon smiled, "Just so you know, we are still evaluating advertising firms for our little project. I just want to get that out of the way." Over the past couple of weeks since Stefan paid Bonnie at visit at her job, she and Damon had danced around the subject, but he didn't see a reason to.
Bonnie nodded, "I understand, well I will just leave it at Jay and Jones are good at what we do."
"Bonnie, Stefan liked the presentation and like you said—you guys are good at what you do. I can tell you that, your firm is at the top of our list."
"Good," she smiled and Damon actually grinned back at her. She had a beautiful smile, "so I had a good week, what about you?"
Damon sighed, "Well do you really want to know?"
"I do. I mean, this is our Saturday friendship time," Bonnie looked at him expectantly.
"So it is. Well, I'm having some troubles at the lounge," he confessed. He couldn't talk to Stefan about this situation without a 'I told you so', so Bonnie was the next best person at the moment. He didn't have many friends, especially not in Mystic Falls, "I am going to tell you something and being that we're new friends and all, you can't judge me."
Bonnie laughed, "Ok."
"So my girlfriend…she sorta kinda works for me."
Bonnie rolled her eyes and instantly Damon reached out, "No…no…hear me out, it's not like I'm that kind of guy."
"You're dating an employee, tell me…is she a waitress?" Bonnie raised an eyebrow. Damon suddenly felt like he shouldn't have started down this road with Bonnie, "She is," he confessed.
Bonnie shook her head, "Ok…fine, go on."
"So our relationship was kind of a secret for awhile, discreet…not because I am ashamed or anything, but because that I figured it would cause problems at the lounge," he explained watching Bonnie look at him blankly.
"And let me guess, it's caused problems?"
"Problems that I didn't exactly anticipate. There was a slight physical altercation."
Bonnie stared at Damon and immediately burst into laughter, "What, she thought you were cheating on her?"
"No, nothing like that. Our relationship kind of went to her head and she thought she was the boss of some of the other girls and they didn't exactly agree."
"Of course," Bonnie sighed.
"Ok so I messed up, I know that. And to say things are strained between me and the girlfriend right now is an understatement."
Bonnie shook her head and Damon widened his eyes, "Stop shaking your head."
"What do you want me to say, you ever hear the phrase 'don't shit where you eat'?" she asked.
Damon blanched, "Thankfully no."
"Well if you had, maybe you wouldn't be in this situation," she teased.
"Oh excuse me, some of us are just mere mortals. I am sure that you have the perfect relationship," Damon teased. It was an innocent statement, but if he was honest, he was curious about Bonnie's life outside of this coffee shop and her job. She didn't speak much about a boyfriend or a significant other. Most of their conversation centered around work and current events, never too deep or personal.
"I don't have a relationship per se, I date," she shrugged, "and the person I mainly date does not work with me."
"Well of course he doesn't, you're smarter than that. What does he do?" Damon asked picking up his coffee cup and sipping.
"Stock broker."
"Sounds like he's boring."
"He's not!" Bonnie protested with a laugh.
"So why is he just someone you're dating and not a boyfriend?"
Bonnie smirked, "Kinda personal, right?"
"Well we are friends and I just told you my issue," his eyes danced with a hint of teasing. Bonnie knew they were flirting and it was wrong, but she couldn't help it. She would blame it on his eyes if anyone asked her, they hypnotized her. She enjoyed their friendship. The past month of them doing some weird friendship dance had been entertaining, "Ok fine. I got out of a very long relationship awhile ago and I was just tired of being tied down, you know. I'm having fun and honestly, I'm actually discovering different things about myself," she confessed.
"Like what?"
Bonnie shrugged, "My likes…dislikes…what I want a relationship to be, who I want to be in a relationship with."
"I see and how are you…" Damon begin, but was interrupted by his cell singing. He fished it out of his pocket and read the screen for a few moments, "umm…I'm sorry, but I have to cut this short. I have to go home, see you again next week?"
"Sure, next week," Bonnie nodded as Damon rose up from the table. She was disappointed. The feeling that crept up into her chest, definitely told her that she was sad that he was leaving and he was probably leaving because of the girlfriend.
"Thank you for the coffee, good choice," he smiled before heading out of the bistro with a wave.
Bonnie found herself smiling without even realizing it until she caught Barry giving her a goofy grin from the counter, "Don't even," she mumbled.
Barry moved from around the corner and sat in Damon's vacated seat, "You have a crush," he teased.
"I do not," she protested crossing her arms.
"You've been coming to this place for close to a year and it took three months for me to get much out of you outside of hello and your order, this dude comes here a month ago, he gets an entire conversation week one and now a month later, you're buying him drinks before he even shows up."
"Shut up," Bonnie laughed barely able to contain herself, "he has a girlfriend."
Barry rolled his eyes, "That shit ain't lasting, I heard what he said."
Bonnie threw her napkin, "You need to stop."
"You need to pay that damn lounge a visit, just to check it out. See what's what…call it research," Barry stood up from the table as customers entered the bistro.
Bonnie shook her head. Barry was wrong and she most certainly had no plans on stepping foot in Revel.
BDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBD
Not long after leaving the bistro, Damon walked into his condo where Andie was standing in the foyer, "What's wrong?" he asked looking around, "you sent me a text telling me to come home."
"We need to talk," she replied staring back at him.
Damon's eyes bugged out, "Ok, but I thought it was an emergency…"
"Our relationship is an emergency."
"Andie, I'm not sure I'm following here. You know that I have a Saturday morning ritual. You know that Saturday mornings are when I…"
"Go to the coffee shop to think or whatever you do there," she cut him off, "look, I want to know when Rose is getting fired. After what she did a couple days ago, I don't see how she can still work at Revel. It's almost like you're taking her side over mine."
Damon looked at his girlfriend of 6 months and all he could do was stare. He wasn't sure at that moment exactly why he thought being in a relationship with her was the best thing for him, but he was definitely aware of the fact that it wasn't the best thing for him anymore, "Andie," he stated slowly, "I'm not firing Rose. After what happened at Revel, I'm more inclined to fire you than Rose," he watched as her eyes grew big, "the way you've been acting is the problem."
"Oh really?" she folded her arms.
"Andie, you're my girlfriend—not anyone's boss at the lounge. Me and Stefan run Revel and that's it, no one else," he replied gently.
He watched as she swallowed, "I see."
"Andie, it's not that I don't care about you or our relationship—but you gotta listen to me here. I didn't want our relationship to get out because of what's happening now. I don't know what more you want from me?"
"People should know that I'm your girlfriend," she stated.
"Ok, do you want me to make an announcement? Send it out in an email? What?" Damon asked exasperated.
"Stop hiding us and until you do that, I think we should just go our separate ways," she brushed past him heading towards the door and slamming it behind her. Damon stood in the spot that he stood when he first walked in the door shaking his head as Sandy rushed down the stairs, sat at his feet and smiled up at him, "Don't you even…" he mumbled walking away from her.
BDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBD
"So I reserved a hotel room in town while we're there," Bonnie closed her eyes and said a silent prayer of thanks at mother's words, "Really, mom…that's great!" she grinned.
"Well I don't think your place is big enough for us and I know that Bee is staying with you too," Abigail 'Abby' Bennett informed her.
"Yeah, she is. She's actually coming a little earlier. So when are you, dad and Grams coming?" Bonnie asked.
"The day of the game. We're driving down, maybe we can all have dinner before the game?"
"I think we can do that, Bianca may not come but we can still go."
"And maybe we can meet the guy you're dating."
Bonnie could tell her mother was fishing. The fact that Bianca was allowed to be a free spirit and they were ready to marry Bonnie off because she had a nerve to have a 9 to 5 and not a job that had her in a different city every night, "I'm not dating anyone seriously Mom."
"But you are dating someone, aren't you?" Abby prodded.
"I am, but it's not serious."
"But it could be right?"
"Mom, really?" Bonnie whined, "I just ended my relationship with Enzo not too long ago and I have no desire to enter into another one so quickly, can't I just have fun."
"I hope not too much fun."
"Mom, come on. I'm in my 20's. There's no need for the talk. Trust me, everything is fine. I'm fine and I'm happy."
"Good, how's work?" Abby asked, thankfully changing the subject.
"Work is good actually," Bonnie smiled retrieving a leftover sandwich from the refrigerator and nibbling, "I may have a new account that is different than what I've been working on recently."
"Oh really?"
"A popular club/bar/lounge here is looking to revamp their look and also open up a new place. They want my firm to help with a name and the revamping."
"Wow, that sounds exciting Bon. I'm happy for you. I won't tell your dad or Grams, you can tell them when we all meet for dinner."
"Ok, maybe there will be more to tell. We haven't landed the account yet, but I think it's a strong possibility."
"Well either way, I hope it works out."
"So do I. I'm ready to do more than the toilet paper and toothpaste ads they keep assigning me."
"Well Bianca did mention that she could get you a job with the basketball team…"
"And I don't want to do that, I want to have an identity separate from Bianca and working at a place where she has a name? No thank you, I have no desire to be called Bianca a million times a day."
"My Bonnie," Abby sighed.
"You know I'm telling the truth."
"Bonnie, you are the daughter that we never worry about. You have a good career, a stable life and you are the one that we can always count on to make the right decisions. That's not saying that Bianca is not responsible, but…"
"She's Bianca, I know," Bonnie smiled, "and thanks Mom."
"My pleasure Bon, so enjoy the rest of your day and we will talk soon."
"Thanks Mom, love you."
"Love you too," Abby ended the call.
Bonnie looked down at her text messages finding Tyler's name. She quickly sent him a text, 'Plans tonight?' She stared down at the phone waiting for his reply as she watched the dots wiggle and then stop as his reply came through, 'Sorry, made plans…maybe tomorrow?' 'Maybe', she answered before putting the phone down and glancing over at Elena's hours on the refrigerator, Bonnie was pretty much on her own. She looked over at her bag, walking over and retrieving her wallet. She removed Damon's business card from it and stared at his name.
BDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBD
Damon debated going into the club after Andie had her tantrum earlier. He wasn't crazy about the way she acted, but he knew at some point he should probably apologize. If he thought about it long enough, he wasn't being fair to her by asking her to keep their relationship a secret. After the incident a year ago, he decided to change his life a little. The dog was Stefan's suggestion, along with a monogamous relationship (even though he was sure that didn't come from Stefan directly and moreso their mother). If Damon had to describe himself before the incident, he would say that he could be an asshole—but he was just someone who loved life and embraced everything about it. That included women and booze. He had somewhat changed his outlook on life and when Andie caught his eye, he fought not to make her just some booty call to satisfy his needs—he wanted an actual relationship, but after what occurred that morning, he was confident that Andie wasn't that woman for him.
"Oh for a second, didn't think you were coming in at all," Stefan entered his office as soon as he walked in.
"It's still early."
"Yeah, but you're usually here before we open. It's 10 and where's Andie?" Stefan took a seat on the couch across from Damon's desk.
"Yeah, well it wasn't an easy day…my hair just wouldn't lay right," Damon remarked sarcastically.
"I'm sure, but where's Andie?"
"Don't know," Damon stood up pouring a glass of bourbon and sipping, "she marched out of my place today and I'm pretty sure broke up with me."
"So did she also quit?"
Damon shrugged and was rewarded with a loud sigh from his brother, "Damon…"
"Look, I don't really want to hear the 'I told you so', I know that you were against the whole dating the staff thing and I told you it would be different. It wasn't. Sue me."
"Let's hope Andie doesn't," Stefan mumbled.
Damon rolled his eyes in return, "Look, she wanted me to fire Rose. I told her that wasn't happening and I let her know she wasn't a boss here."
Stefan shook his head, "Can you keep your dick in your pants around our remaining waitresses please?"
Damon turned to Stefan with a wry smile, "Sure Brother, whatever you want," he mumbled as he opened the blinds in his office slightly to scan the crowd forming downstairs and that's when a vision caught his eye, "Brother, looks like we have a guest."
Stefan joined Damon at the window, "So we do."
BDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBD
She told herself this was just research. When she slipped on the black fitted tee with the words 'Beauty' written in gold and squeezed into the black body con skirt, she told herself that IF they landed the Revel account, she needed to know something about the place. When she curled her hair and made up her entire face with the make up she reserved for Girls Nights Out, she told herself that it was a way to impress the owners because she was interested in doing research about them. When Bianca FaceTimed her and saw what she had on and gave her the thumbs up, Bonnie started to rethink her decision—but here she was, entering Revel and taking in the atmosphere. A couple of her colleagues had visited previously and said that it was a fun and sexy place, but she never had time to come or anyone to come with before and now here she was.
Bonnie looked over towards the bar, which was filling up quickly. There was an older blond guy and an Asian female taking orders and making drinks. She made her way over and slid onto a stool, "What can I get you?" the female bartender asked.
"Umm…" Bonnie reached for the cocktail menu, "a Pineapple Passion Martini, please."
"Sure thing," the bartender smiled immediately picking up a martini glass going to work. Bonnie turned around in her seat and observed the clientele…young professionals, sexy, chic, looking to find potential mates or hook ups. People were dancing, sipping drinks and looking around trying to be seen. Revel was definitely one of the popular places to be on a Saturday night in Mystic Falls.
"Here you go," the bartender pushed a yellow tinted martini at her.
"Thanks, what do I owe you?" Bonnie asked removing her card from her purse.
"No charge," the bartender shook her head.
"What…no…" Bonnie protested pushing her cards to the bartender.
"I listen to the bosses," the woman winked.
"That's right, what kind of person would be if I made you pay for that?" Stefan asked appearing to the right of Bonnie.
She glanced over and had to admit, that she was a little disappointed that it was Stefan who came to see her at the bar. Then she immediately felt silly because Barry had given her the idea to come to Revel in the first place to spy…or…ahem…research. She should have asked him to come with her.
"A businessman?" Bonnie raised an eyebrow turning around in the stool and facing the dance floor.
Stefan chuckled and then lowered his voice to a whisper, "Funny, but I thought that I would let you taste what we offer here first."
Bonnie swallowed the sweet liquid and almost choked—was Damon's brother flirting with her, propositioning her? Whatever he was doing, that statement definitely registered in her brain a hundred different ways.
"Well I have to admit…" she took swallowed, "this is a good martini and this place has quite the ambience. You have no problems bringing in clientele and apparently, the right clientele…upscale, chic," she observed.
"So you came to research?"
"Well I thought since we're still waiting on an answer, it wouldn't hurt to come visit the place that I may have to spend a lot of time at in the future…for work, of course," she looked over at him.
"Of course for work," Stefan met her eyes.
Bonnie smirked as she turned back to the crowd and allowed her eyes to drift to the upstairs area, when she noticed blinds that were partially open, "You know, he's looking at us," Stefan whispered in her ear.
"Who?" Bonnie asked turning her gaze away from the blinds to Stefan, who gave her 'You can't be serious?' look, "you mean Damon?"
Stefan chuckled shaking his head, "You and my brother are friends, yes…I know…platonic friends."
"Yes, we're platonic friends."
"So both of you say," Stefan stated in an amused tone.
"You say that as if you don't believe me?"
"I…" Stefan began but stopped as he began to listen to someone speaking in an earpiece, he chuckled and then looked over at Bonnie, "my brother has requested that I stop boring you."
Bonnie turned around and looked up towards the blinds that were partially opened before, but were now closed. She scanned the upper level and that's when she noticed him, he was standing on the balcony gazing down at her and Stefan with an expression that she couldn't completely read. On the inside, she was sure that she played it cool taking in his appearance (a navy blue suit, white shirt that was open just a little bit)—but on the inside, she heard herself gasp a little. She needed to get out of this bar. She shouldn't be here. This was not where she needed be. She downed her drink (no need to waste good liquor) and slid off of the stool, but apparently her actions were delayed because she felt his hand on her arm before she could make her exit, "So I guess my brother's less than exciting conversation almost sent you running out of here," Damon glanced over at Stefan with a smirk, "but rest assured, I have come to save you."
"Yes, because everyone knows Damon Salvatore is the savior of women," Stefan added.
"Stefan, I'm sure that there are some women just waiting to get some attention from one of the owners…why don't you go find some of them and leave my friend alone."
Bonnie was amused as the two brothers went back and forth. It was cute.
"Yes, your friend…Bonnie, see you soon," Stefan turned from the bar and headed towards the VIP area.
Bonnie shook her head as she noticed another martini appear on the bar behind her accompanied with a wink from the bartender, "I don't need another one of those," she pointed casually.
"Hey, you came to my place of business and I promised you I would treat you like a VIP, so this is part of it. Thanks Anna," Damon explained and then looked around, "did you come alone?"
Bonnie reached behind picking up the martini, "I did. My roommate is working…"
"And the librarian?" Damon gave her a shit eating grinning.
Bonnie rolled her eyes, "He's a stock broker and you know that."
"Oh yes…the stock broker, is he here with you?"
"No, actually I came by myself. As I told Stefan, I'm researching."
"Oh…well, what do you think?" Damon looked around the club.
"Good place…it's nice…popular."
He nodded, "You should have told me you were coming, I would have reserved you a VIP a table."
"Damon, it's fine. I just came as a regular guest. That's all."
Damon wasn't completely sure why he felt the need to want to impress her or why the feeling in the pit of stomach that he had watching his brother flirt with her started to dissipate, "Well nevertheless, I'm happy to see you here."
"Thank you," she looked around, "umm…where's Andie?"
Damon hadn't expected that to be the next statement out of her mouth and the very question brought him back to reality of his now defunct relationship, "Umm, she's not here."
"Oh, I was hoping to meet her. I'm curious to know what kind of woman keeps you on your toes."
"Yeah, well its her night off from both…keeping me on my toes and Revel," Damon answered.
"I see, well maybe I will meet her soon."
Damon said nothing as his sipped his bourbon. He convinced himself that maybe this wasn't the right time to tell Bonnie about his break up with Andie. It wasn't as if he wanted to hide it, but he actually liked the friendship he had with Bonnie and although she was absolutely gorgeous, sexy and everything in between, he was determined to keep it as a friendship. It was something new for him and he was going to succeed at it, "Maybe you will," he answered, "did you drive here? We validate parking."
"No I took a Lyft and I'm glad I did because you and Anna are trying to get me into trouble, so I'm going to go out there and hopefully sweat some of this alcohol out of my body," Bonnie finished her martini and slid off of her stool, "tell me Damon, do you dance?"
"Not at Revel, I don't."
"I see…well I will see you in a few," Bonnie smiled at him as she moved placing her glass down and drifted off to the dance floor while Damon watched her get lost in the crowd.
"Friends huh?" Anna asked.
"Yes, friends," Damon reiterated.
"And I don't see Andie here either."
"Andie's taking a day off."
"I see and the way you swooped in not long after Stefan came to talk to her."
"My brother was boring her."
"Uh, huh…you seemed like you were scared that Stefan would be boning her soon," Anna teased.
Damon looked over at Anna, "I pay you to make drinks…so make them," he narrowed his eyes before walking away from the bar listening to Anna's cackles behind him.
Damon made his way around the club, but he couldn't help but steal glances of Bonnie dancing on the floor. She wasn't dancing by herself, but she looked like as if she was in her own world. The way she moved her hips and threw her arms in the air, she was truly the only one and the only woman he saw on that dance floor.
BDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBD
After making sure Bonnie got a Lyft and closing down the bar, Damon made his way at 3am. He drove his Camaro up his driveway and noticed someone sitting outside of his building. He killed the engine and opened the door, "Andie," he breathed out.
She frowned standing up, "I've been out here for a couple of hours just thinking."
"Really? About what?" he moved closer to her meeting her on the stairs.
"Us…how I acted…what you meant about keeping our relationship between us. I understand your reasons…"
"Do you?" Damon asked opening his front door, greeting Sandy who was waiting happily for him by the door.
"I do. It would cause trouble at the bar and I get that, I understand that."
Damon picked up Sandy's leash and attached it to her collar, guiding her outside with Andie walking beside him, "You know, I realized that I was wrong about that. Our relationship wouldn't cause trouble at Revel. I was wrong about our relationship causing trouble, I didn't factor in the fact that you wouldn't be able to handle it."
"Damon," Andie grabbed his arm, "I will admit that I didn't handle what happened with Rose the right way. I don't know what was wrong with me, but I know that I want to be with you. I want to be your girlfriend."
Damon chuckled as Sandy sniffed a tree, "You know, this is the first time since I've had Sandy that you've walked her with me."
Andie turned to him confused, "What?"
"Sandy, you never had much interest in her…walking her…feeding her…"
"Damon, she's a dog," Andie scrunched up her face, clearing not understanding.
Damon stared at Andie for a few beats and then nodding understandably, "You know what, you're right—she's only a dog. Andie, how about we walk back to the house and just call it a night."
"Wait, Damon…what are you saying?" she grabbed his arm as her eyes searched his.
"I'm saying…" he started slowly, "that I will walk to your car and you can go home, I'm going to go in the house with Sandy and get some sleep. That is all."
Andie eyes widened as she realized that Damon was done with the conversation and she followed him and Sandy back towards the condo.
BDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBD
"What a miserable night for me," Elena sighed entering the kitchen as Bonnie stood at the kitchen island in deep thought, "the ER was a constant rotation of people who swallowed things they shouldn't have, stuck their hand in places they had no business…I'm exhausted, I just want a shower and to go to sleep…" she went on and then looked over at Bonnie who was staring out into space, "Bon, did you hear me?"
Bonnie blinked and then turned to Elena, "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't hear you come in."
"What? I just spent two minutes telling you about my crazy night. Where were you?" Elena removed a water from the refrigerator taking a long sip.
"I went out last night."
"Where? With Tyler?"
"No by myself."
"You went out by yourself? Where did you go?"
"Revel."
"Revel, the nightclub?"
"Lounge/Bar."
Taking a seat on a stool, Elena turned to Bonnie, "Whatever what made you go there by yourself?"
"Research for the new account. I told you that Damon's brother had a meeting with my firm and we may get their business."
"Yesssss and I also know that you have a little crush on Damon, so is that why you really went?"
Bonnie shook her head, "No, I went for research and he just so happened to be there," Bonnie shrugged innocently as Elena smiled back at her, "I see and he just so happened to be there and you two just so happened to talk and hang out outside of your little coffee shop, did he come back here?" Elena asked with a hint of excitement.
"No!" Bonnie exclaimed, "and I told you he has a girlfriend…and it was weird," she frowned, "it was almost like his brother was hitting on me."
"His brother?"
"Yes, but then it seemed like his brother was just doing it to get a rise out of Damon."
"Are you sure that he has a girlfriend?"
"Yes, he told me about them and how they were having problems…" Bonnie began noticing Elena's eyebrow raise, "it's not like that, we are friends…well I'm his friend and he's mine, I just occasionally have sex dreams about him," she shrugged.
"Well did you have fun?"
"I did, we're going there when Bianca comes too."
"Hmm…now I'm intrigued, I have to catch a glimpse of the guy who has my best friend going out to clubs by herself," Elena reached over and wrapped her arm around Bonnie's shoulder, "could it be that Bonnie is starting to rebel against the straight and narrow, lusting after a man who has a girlfriend and is taken?" Elena wiggled her eyebrow.
Bonnie looked over with narrowed eyes, "You need a shower," she deadpanned.
"Thanks," Elena matched her tone before breaking into a laugh joined by Bonnie.
Cortado
Bonnie walked up to A Cup of Life and noticed Damon and Sandy already there seated at a table. She paused in the doorway. Six weeks drifted by since that one day he breezed in and asked her for a recommendation. So far they just kept their friendship to the coffee shop and that one night that she came to Revel, but Bonnie felt the way her heart had an extra beat when she caught a glimpse of Damon seated at the table with Sandy at his feet. He was early. He never beat her there. She saw the second mug on the opposite end of the table and she smiled, opening the door.
As soon as Bonnie entered, Sandy looked up and barreled over to her, "Well look at that," she kneeled down rubbing the top of her head, "I think she likes me."
"Well she may think this is where you live, so I guess she finds it best to greet you," Damon smiled.
Bonnie sat down across from him, giving Barry a wave, "So what do we have today?" she peered down into her cup.
"Cortado, I did some research…it's sweet and I thought that it would be different," Damon explained.
Bonnie picked up the cup and took a sip. It was a little bitter, but the milk cut the espresso and it wasn't too bad, "Not bad."
"Good."
"So I received some good news this week," Bonnie glanced up at him, "I was informed that I will be working on the Revel revamp and the naming project for your second lounge."
"Well Stefan was impressed and the fact that you actually came to visit us. He liked the extra effort, so how could we not let your firm help us out?"
"I welcome the challenge."
Damon looked over at Bonnie for a few beats, "So I ended things with my girlfriend," he stated.
Bonnie heard Barry began to cough behind the counter and she glanced over at him narrowing her eyes slightly before returning her gaze to Damon, "What happened?"
Damon shrugged, "It just…it wasn't working, she and I were on two totally different pages."
Bonnie nodded, "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. Everything happens for a reason, I guess. I told my brother I would try the monogamy thing for awhile…"
She raised an eyebrow, "Oh so you didn't believe in monogamy before?"
Damon smirked, "I owned a club and I'm kind of good looking, why would I?"
She had to roll her eyes at his words, but he was cute when he actually said it, "Oh so you were a big ole manwhore?"
"Not at all, I enjoyed life until it kinda caught up with me. What's wrong with that?"
"Nothing, but what caught up with you? A jilted woman tried to kill you?"
"A conversation for another time," he shrugged, "but you said not too long ago that you date because you just got out of a longtime relationship, so are you embracing monogamy?" he questioned her.
"No…can't say that I am deliberately, but right now I am just dating one person."
"The teacher, right?"
"Stockbroker," Bonnie stated through clenched teeth.
"Oh right, right," he rolled his eyes, "the stockbroker."
Bonnie shook her head, "You are something Damon Salvatore, do you know that?"
"Is that a good or bad thing?"
"I'm still sitting here."
"You like me," he winked.
"Maybe just a little."
"Oh just a little?" he asked and then he gave her a serious look, "just so you know, you will be working with Stefan about the club and everything. I just sign the checks. I don't want you to feel weird about being friends with me."
"I don't and I understand."
"Good…" Damon stated and then waited went on, "do you want to walk with me and Sandy after we leave here? If we are really going to be friends, I think we should branch out of this place for a bit."
Damon wasn't sure what made him ask Bonnie about venturing out, but he wanted to get to know her—even if they were just friends. After his relationship with Andie crashed and burned, he was interested in just being with a member of the opposite sex who didn't expect anything from him and he could relax with.
Bonnie's eyes widened, Damon's request caught her off guard, but she welcomed it, "Why not? I'm sure Sandy would like someone else to walk with her, who doesn't walk so fast," she picked up her bag drinking the last of her coffee.
"Sandy loves walking with me," Damon stood up putting Sandy's leash on giving Barry a wave along with Bonnie.
"Of course she pretends to," Bonnie stated as they moved out of the coffee shop, while she could feel Barry's million watt smile behind them.
"Are you saying that women just pretend to enjoy being in my presence," Damon looked down at Bonnie.
"Well…" she smiled allowing her tongue to peek through her lips slightly and Damon instantly felt his shorts tighten. Her lips and that tongue looked like they could do some amazing things to him, "Damon?"
He immediately straightened up. This was a friendship and only a friendship. Besides, he had just broken up with Andie and there was no way he could rush into another relationship annnndddd more importantly, Bonnie was happy with her non-boyfriend librarian, "Damon, did you hear me?"
"What?"
"I think Sandy is trying to sniff that tree or at least go to the bathroom," she glanced down at Sandy who was straining against her leash to go towards a tree.
"Oh…right," Damon allowed Sandy to lead him over to the tree with Bonnie by his side.
"Are you sure you're ok after your break up?" Bonnie asked him.
"Yes, I'm ok.".
Bonnie nodded, "So my sister comes next week."
"Your sister, the one that you said you will bring to Revel?"
"Yes. She's actually a dancer…"
Damon's eyebrows rose, "Oh really?"
"Not like that perv," she hit him playfully on the chest, "she's a dancer for a basketball team, the Detroit Devils."
"Oooooooh she's part of the dance team, got it. Actually me and Stefan are going to their game next week."
"Oh well we may see you there, my roommate and her boyfriend are coming, my parents and my grandmother."
"A family affair, are they all coming to Revel?"
Bonnie rolled her eyes, "No, just me and my sister…my roommate and her boyfriend."
Sweeping his arms out in front of him, Damon grinned, "I would roll out the red carpet for the Bennett Family if that is what's needed."
Bonnie let out a laugh, "My grandmother may be interested, but my parents would not be."
"So since you have an in with the dance team, do you think I could meet them…take some pictures…invite them to my bar?" he wiggled his eyebrow.
"I'm sure if Bianca has her way, she will bring the entire dance team to Revel," Bonnie sighed.
"You sound so enthusiastic," Damon was amused at the way Bonnie's entire body language changed when speaking about her sister.
"My sister is different…no scratch that…we're different from each other."
"Well me and Stefan are pretty different too," Damon shrugged.
"Yeah, well people don't expect us to be as different as we are. When you meet her, you will see the difference."
"Who's the prettier one," Damon leaned closer towards her.
Bonnie stared him directly in the eyes, "I am."
He chuckled, "I knew that would be the answer…" he studied her for a moment and then spoke, "Bonnie, I think its time we at least exchange numbers. You can text me when you guys are headed to the club and I can make sure we have a section ready for you."
"That almost sounds like a sly way of getting my phone number Damon Salvatore," she raised an eyebrow.
"I promise I won't use it for any other purpose but to check on you occasionally, don't worry I will still show up for our Saturday morning meetings."
Bonnie watched as Damon removed his phone from his back pocket and she immediately felt her stomach start to flip flop. Nervousness washed over her body. As much as she repeated over and over again how they were just friends, she knew she was attracted to Damon and she liked spending time with him, as limited as it had been. However, he was fresh out of a relationship and she knew better than to ever play the rebound girl for a man. She heard herself rattling off her number and he pressed the corresponding keys, "Now, I'm going to call you and you can save my number."
She nodded as she removed her phone from her bag and immediately it began ringing, "A New York number?"
"It's been my cell number for ages, no need to change it," he shrugged.
She saved his number in her phone and looked up at him with a smile, "There. We are officially real friends outside of the coffee shop."
"Good, I need a friend other than Stefan. In case you didn't know, my little brother can be kind of annoying," Damon began walking with Sandy again.
"He seems perfectly lovely to me," Bonnie teased.
"Take that back, you're my friend," Damon bumped her as Bonnie laughed while they continued to walk down the tree lined street.
BDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBD
Four days later, Bonnie sped towards the airport to pick up Bianca. Since landing the Salvatore account, she poured herself into researching names for the new bar along with a new branding campaign. Although, she was pretty much aware that this project was a herculean task, she was up for it. It was fun and exciting to be behind something that she would actually be able to see the fruits of her labor. However, because of her late nights at the office she was cutting it close making it to the airport to pick up Bianca. As she pulled off the exit for the airport, her phone began ringing and the familiar face filled the screen, "I will be there in 5 minutes."
"Bonnie, I could have taken a car but you said you would be here," Bianca whined.
Bonnie glared at the dashboard. Her sister who had never been on time for anything in her life was chastising her, "I said 5 minutes, Bianca."
"Ok…fine…I will be standing here trying not to be kidnapped."
Bonnie's eyes rolled almost out of her head, "They would bring you back."
"So nice Sissy, really nice," Bianca quipped before ending the call.
"Pray me for Lord," Bonnie whispered as she glanced up at the Baggage Claim section that she approached and thanked God that it was Bianca's. As she scanned the crowd of people waiting for their ride, she located her sister. People loved to fall all over themselves claiming that the two were almost identical, but they weren't. Bonnie was taller, Bianca's eyes were greener, Bonnie had higher cheekbones…they were the same complexion, but they looked totally different and Bonnie cringed whenever someone said differently.
"Sissy!" Bianca shrieked with open arms as Bonnie exited her car. Bianca rushed over to her enveloping her into a hug, "I missed you!"
Bonnie paused for a few seconds. The sister that she shared a bedroom with since they were born, the sister who she fought with, the sister who dried all her tears when someone was mean to her, the sister who for some reason whenever she was around brought something that was missing to Bonnie's life was hugging her and Bonnie felt like she was whole again, "I missed you too Bee," she whispered hugging Bianca.
"Bianca, I got my bag…someone walked off with it," a baritone voice said from behind them. Bonnie looked past Bianca's shoulder as her sister removed herself from the hug.
"Bonnie, this is Marcel…he's one of the assistant coaches for the Detroit Devils, he came early too!" Bianca grinned from ear to ear moving closer to the rather tall, brown skinned man with almond shaped eyes.
Bonnie stood staring at Bianca and then she thought to herself, Did I really miss her?
So Bamon are progressing nicely in their friendship, using the term frequently but showing OTHER characteristics that potentially make it more than that. Andie is history for now and Damon's single, Bonnie's unattached but Bianca (and yes, I envision Logan Browning for this role) has brought another contender to the mix. This should be interesting and the interaction between Bonnie and her sister will be something to look forward to.
Thank you for reading and please, please, please, PLEASE show your love. I appreciate it.