"Hey Elena" I smirk as I answer my phone on the first ring
"Hey, I just wanted to let you know that one of my coworkers begged me to switch shifts with them, so I won't be there today in case you were planning on stopping by"
"I was actually on my way there now" I laugh
"Oh man, I'm sorry" I hear her sigh
"It's ok; I'll just get off the subway at the next stop"
"Or…" she pauses
"Or?" I ask
"You could stay on the subway until the coffee shop exit and just come by my place and we can figure out something else to do" she suggests
"Uh" I pause to think about it "Yeah, ok" I agree
"Really?" she sounds surprised
"Yeah, I'll see you in thirty minutes" I chuckle
"Ok, I'll text you my address" she says before hanging up
It's been eight weeks since the first time I walked into Jitters Coffee shop, and I've been back every week since. Well, except that one time I bailed.
Elena has pretty much accepted my vague answer about my wife, and why there are certain things I just don't want to talk about. Every now and then she'll try to push her luck, sometimes I surprise myself and open up and others I shut back down, I hate how hot and cold I am; she must think I'm crazy, but she hasn't bailed on me so I guess that's a good sign.
Somewhere along the way we exchanged numbers and began texting each other periodically, it also seems like we've started testing the line between friendship and flirtation, but as soon as we realize we're about to take it too far one of us takes a step back. I don't blame her, because no matter how great of friends we become the unknown will always be on her mind and stand in the way, which is fine, because I don't want to go there anyway
At first I tried to deny having any physical attraction to her whatsoever; which was a lie. Because the truth is, she's a smart, funny, caring, beautiful woman, inside and out.
At first admitting that felt like I was betraying Andie, and honestly, It still doesn't sit too well with me but I'm still a man and I'd have to be blind not to be attracted to her.
Still, this realization doesn't make me want to act on it or alter our relationship in any way.
Stefan it dying to meet her: I don't know from experience, but Elena seems like the type of person that would get along with just about anyone, and I know Stefan wouldn't be able to help but like her, I just don't know if I'm ready for that yet. It feels like introducing her to my life outside of our coffee shop bubble, might complicate things, and that is something I've wanted to avoid since day one.
What Elena and I have is so new, so fresh, and so untainted; I'm just not sure I'm ready to jeopardize that.
"NEXT STOP, 42nd STREET" the subway loud speaker announces
I get up and stand next to the doors, waiting for the train to come to a stop
My phone chimes, signaling a text from Elena.
I type my response: perfect timing, just getting off the subway, see you in a few =)
I check my texts again to make sure I have the right apartment number before knocking, apartment 22B. Perfect.
"Hey you" she smiles as she opens the door wide enough for me to come in
"Hey back" I smirk and walk through the door "this is quite the place you have"
It's a cute apartment, on the second floor of a seven story building, the living room walls are a very light shade of yellow, and it has lots of natural light; it's a little on the small side which is pretty normal for New York, but it's not too small.
"It's ok" she shrugs humbly "Here, have a seat" she moves some pillows off the couch to make more room
"No roommate?" I ask as I take a seat
"No, she's a nurse so she works crazy hours; I guess she volunteered to work today because she has plans later tonight"
I nod awkwardly, suddenly feeling out of my element
"Do you want anything to drink?" she asks
'No thanks"
"Ok" she nods
You can tell both of us are trying to think of something to say that will make this less awkward
"Are you sure, cause if we have something to drink, it gives us something to hold and fidget with, it tends to make moments like these feel less awkward" she chuckles
"Why is this so awkward" I chuckle "we're friends, friends hang out"
I don't know if I'm trying to convince her or me
"Yeah, you're right" she sighs in relief
"Have you had lunch?" I ask
"No, not yet" she shakes her head
"Are you hungry?"
"Starving" she admits
"What sounds good?"I ask
"There's a really great Thai food place down the street, but it's take out only, we could have it delivered and watch a movie here" she suggests
"Sounds like a plan Gilbert" I smirk
"Ok, I'll go grab the menu" she smiles
After the food arrives, we both get situated on the couch with our plates on our laps and some silly Adam Sandler comedy playing in the background
"I'm convinced that the only reason he makes these movies is so he gets a paid vacation" I laugh
"Why do you think that?" she giggles
"Because they all have the same nonsensical plot, the only difference is that they're filmed in different exotic places, I mean he got paid to go to Hawaii to film this movie, plus he gets to mack on Jennifer Aniston, so I guess really the man is a genius" I laugh
I see her eyes darken a bit at my Jenifer Aniston Comment, and for some reason I feel a pang of guilt.
"Although, I get to be here in this beautiful city eating some delicious Thai food, with some of the best company in around, so really I actually feel a bit bad for him" I add
Her eyes soften and her cheeks flush at my comment, I'm not sure why I just said that, and even more concerning is the clench I just felt in my chest at the sight of her blush.
"Seriously though, this Thai food is really good," I comment, trying to change the subject
"Yeah" she nods "There's also a good pizza place a couple blocks over, but this is definitely my favorite" she points to her plate
"Well I do love pizza, maybe next time we'll try that" I suggest
She blushes again
"What?" I ask
I normally don't comment on her blush, because I know she's embarrassed by it, but I have to know what I said that brought it on
"Nothing" she shakes her head
I give her a pointed look
"I'm, I just… I'm glad there will be another time" she shrugs "I honestly didn't know how you'd react when I invited you over. I just didn't want to scare you away, I really do enjoy your company Damon"
My face softens, I hate that she has to think about these things, inviting someone over should not be a difficult thing, but then I guess everything with me is difficult, and there's no one to blame but myself, I just remind myself that its necessary to keep this easy going relationship that we've built going, the one that she says she enjoys.
"I'm sorry" I look down "I know that being my friend isn't easy, and I can't figure out what you get out of this relationship, or why you put up with my quirks, but I'm really thankful for you, and I promise I will try not to spook so easily from now on. I don't want you to have to worry about something as simple as asking me to come over"
"Ok" she lets out a relieved sigh
"Although I will say that next time, we need to watch a better movie or I might not come back after that" I tease
"Sorry" she shrugs "if I had known you were coming over I wouldn't have let my friend borrow my Star Wars box set" she laughs
"Never tease a man about Star Wars Elena" I narrow my eyes and point at her
She sticks her tongue out at me playfully before she starts giggling
"Oh man" I say as I glance at my watch "I hate to eat and run, but I really have to get going"
"OK" she nods, trying her best not to look disappointed
"I'll see you later?" I ask
"Yeah of course" she nods "You know where I work and sleep so I guess there's no getting rid of you now" she chuckles
"Ok, I'll call you" I give her a quick hug and head for the door
I pause as soon as my hand touches the doorknob, I'm not sure why I stop, or why I think the next words out of my mouth are a good idea, but I can't seem to stop them
"What're you doing later?" I ask
"No plans" she looks puzzled "I figured I would just hang out here and enjoy my day off. Why, what's going on?" she asks
"Well, tonight's my brothers birthday, and a few people are getting together at the vault bar tonight to celebrate. You could come with, if you want" I suggest
"Really?" I can tell she's trying to hide the surprise in her voice
"Yeah, I mean you shouldn't have to be the only one reaching out here, I need to be a good friend too, and I think that includes inviting you out to meet my brother and friends" I shrug
This is only half true; the idea of her meeting Stefan still isn't thrilling, and I don't have any other friends to introduce her to, I've pretty much pushed everyone else away but I really don't want her to be the only one reaching out, if I don't reciprocate her friendship eventually, she'll stop trying and I definitely don't want that to happen, so introducing her to Stefan is a small price to pay.
"Ok" she grins
My stomach flips when I see how excited she is; I really wish that would stop happening.
"We're meeting there at 9:00, have you ever been?" I almost offer to just meet her here and go together but the idea of that seems to formal, like it would be a date, rather that a couple of friends grabbing a drink
She nods
"Ok good" I smile "So, I'll see you then?"
"Absolutely"
A/N: Hey Guys! And Happy Holidays! I hope you all had a great couple of weeks, I'm sorry for the late post; now that things are back to a normal schedule I can continue writing and posting on a regular basis =) so read, and enjoy! Oh! And don't forget to review, because they really are the best = )