Thank you so much for your patience! Life has been super busy at work and personally. I had originally planned for this chapter to include another scene but I had to make a choice: update with what was ready or wait another day. Ultimately, I decided to go with this. I hope to update again tomorrow.

Chapter 16: Girl Talk

NOW

I couldn't have been avoiding Saltzman more if they had an outbreak of the bubonic plague. I had no idea what to do about Damon so I decided to take a few days to sort through my thoughts. Trying to put distance between us while I worked through things in my head, I feigned illness. That only resulted in Damon offering to come take care of me. When I explained that I was contagious and it would be best if he didn't risk it, he sent a bouquet of daisies (my favorite) and on my doorstep he left a basket of magazines, orange juice and a container of homemade chicken soup. How can you turn your back on someone who does that? So, without even realizing it, he was helping his cause. Caroline had long ago decided that Damon was an unredeemable ass so talking to her was out of the question. This left Jenna. I had told Jenna most the story of our break up. I never told her about Rebecca. The pain of that betrayal hurt too much so I opted to never speak of it again after telling Caroline all those years ago. Still, Jenna seemed like the best option which was why she was coming to my apartment for drinks after work. I was going to have to come out of hiding soon. Saltzman had an upcoming event and I had a planning meeting scheduled with Damon later in the week.

"Jenna, come on in. Thank you so much for coming over." Jenna followed me into the living room where I had a bottle of chilled pinot grigio and a fruit and chees tray waiting on us.

"I was thrilled when you called. Are you feeling better? Damon told me you've been sick."

"Of course he did." I mumble. "Let's just say it was more of a mental illness. I was trying to avoid him while I figuring out what to do about him. Unfortunately, I'm no closer to knowing now than I was at brunch on Saturday."

"Well, I think you should give him another chance. Lena, he was a boy. Boys can make dumb moves, like suddenly leaving a relationship without warning. Damon's a man now…and what a man! Have his eyes always been that blue?"

"Yes, they have but that's not exactly the point."

"Have you seen how well he wears a suit?" She fans herself with her napkin. "And have you checked out that butt?" She fakes swooning on the couch.

"Checked it out up close and personally," I grin. "You are so not helping!"

"Where did the flowers come from?" Jenna asks, eyeing the bouquet sitting on my sideboard.

"Damon sent them when he heard I was sick." I add air quotes to the word sick.

"OK, if you don't want to talk about what a gorgeous specimen of man he is, then let's start with the flowers. He sent you flowers? That's kind of sweet don't you think?"

"Damon always did sweet things when we were dating." I think back on all of the times when Damon surprised me. "He used to leave me notes and little presents. Once he came over and cleaned my apartment just because he knew I was busy with school and had not had time to do it myself. He even folded my laundry."

"What was your favorite thing about being with him?"

"We could just be. You know what I mean? Conversation was easy, silences were never awkward. And I always felt safe. No, wait, it was more than that. He made me feel cherished like he heard everything I ever said and cared what I thought, like I was the most important person to him."

"Well it's too bad there was no sexual chemistry," she deadpans.

"What?" I squeak.

"It sounds like he was a completely attentive boyfriend so I can only assume that he's just not that good in the bedroom. Too bad because the general opinion around the office is that the man is sex on legs."

"We had no problems there. It took a while for us to get there—he made me work for it because I accused him of being a playboy who just wanted to get me in bed. But once we were there, OH MY GOD!" I gushed.

"Really? Tell me more."

I was starting to feel the effects of the wine so I began telling her how the first time we were together he made sweet, slow love to me "over and over. No one has ever made me feel like that. But it wasn't always sweet either." I add with a wicked little grin.

"Do tell!" Jenna giggles.

"Let's just say that being with Damon is never predictable. One time he's gentle and the next he's playful. Would you be surprised to know that Damon has a little bit of a dominate streak that surfaces every once in a while?"

"He can certainly control a boardroom and that's with his clothes on so…" Jenna trails off.

"Oh, Jenna, you have no idea." I give her a knowing smirk.

"Elena Gilbert! You bad girl!" She's grinning from ear to ear.

"Yeah, well, that was a long time ago," I blush.

"It doesn't have to be." Her expression softens with her voice. "What are you so scared of? Why don't you want to give him another chance?"

"I don't know if I can allow myself to be that vulnerable again. With Damon it will never be just going out on a few dates. It will always be more."

"Elena, if you never allow yourself to go out in the storm, you'll never learn to ride the waves."

"Where did you come up with that?" I scoff.

"Read it on an inspirational poster," she chuckles.

"What if he hurts me again?"

"Then I'll be right here with a lifetime supply of Ben and Jerry's to help you through it. But, Elena, I think the more important question is what if he doesn't hurt you? Consider what you would be giving up." Jenna pulls me into a hug. "I know you're scared and I know he's the asshole who broke your heart. But did you ever stop to think that he may have broken his own heart in the process?"