AN: Hi, all! Well, I've been addicted to this story so I've been working on it. I've finally managed a chapter, and it's actually the longest of the story so far. Hope you all like it! I'm pretty proud of where this is heading! Happy 2014 all!

xoxo

~*Three*~

Even if the sun hadn't been shining right in her eyes, Elena still would've been wide awake. She had been lying in her bed, wide awake for the past four hours. She was just far too excited. Bonnie was flying in today from North Carolina after a visit to her mother. It had been a month since she'd seen her second best friend. And she couldn't have been more excited.

Immediately, a ringing essence hung in the air, and Elena reached over for her phone which was perched on her nightstand. Without looking to check the caller ID, she pressed answer.

"Hello?" She asked curiously.

"Hey, girl." A familiar voice smiled through the phone. And when she immediately recognized it, Elena lit up like a Christmas tree.

"Bonnie!" Elena squealed. "How are you?"

"I just got in," Bonnie explained. "I'm taking a taxi to my house and then I'll be over at the shop. I have quite a few orders to start."

Elena nodded in remembrance that Bonnie had been gone for a month and had been on high demand for her cakes.

"Your flight came in earlier than I thought,"' Elena gasped as her gaze met the alarm clock. "It's eight. I thought you came in at nine."

"Yeah, I was. But the plane had no winds to fight against, thankfully." Bonnie said. "I'm assuming Caroline's already up and at the shop." Elena could practically hear Bonnie roll her eyes.

"Oh, I'm sure." Elena giggled, having no doubt that Caroline was almost always there exactly at at seven to prepare for opening.

"So, do you want me to come pick you up on my way there?"
Bonnie asked.

Elena shook her head as she set her phone on her bed which was now on speaker. She swung her ling olive legs over the bed as she hopped off.

"Oh, I'll meet you." She told Bonnie as she slid out of her pajama shorts and pulled her pink tank top over her head.

"Are you sure?" Bonnie asked with uncertainty.

"Oh, yeah," Elena nodded firmly despite the fact that Bonnie couldn't see her action. "I like walking. It'll save you a trip and you can just go right to the store."

Bonnie sighed. "Elena, I've known you for sixteen years. You know that I know that it's no trouble at all."

"Bonnie, thank you for the offer, but I've taken to walking along the shore on my way. It reminds me of them,"

She didn't want to have to pull out the "dead-parent reminiscing" card. But she honestly did want to walk. It calmed her, and she didn't want to risk getting sick in front of Bonnie. The girl wouldn't hesitate to take her to the minute clinic, even if she had to be strapped to the top of Bonnie's Fusion and pulled in by her hair.

"Alright," Bonnie sighed. "I'll see you."

Elena bid Bonnie a swift goodbye and hung up. She just needed to run a brush through her hair, throw an outfit on and she was ready.

As she made her way to the bathroom to change, the doorbell rang, and Elena swiftly threw on her choice of apparel, a white tee under. A green tank top, followed by a cute denim skirt that Caroline had bought for her last Christmas.

"Coming," Elena hollered as the bell made a second appearance. Once she placed her hand on the handle, she whisked the door open, not even noticing that the door vibrated off of the walls. Bonnie stood in front of her, smiling. Her banged raven hair fell over her forehead, and stretched down to her shoulders. Warm hazel eyes stared at her.

"Hi," she said.

"Bonnie!" Elena squealed as she threw her arms around the petite girl.

"What are you-?"

"I knew you wouldn't turn me down if I was already at your house." Bonnie smiled knowingly, and Elena hated that she was right.

"I thought you were at the airport still." Elena said.

"Well, I had to make you believe me." She shrugged with a small smile.

"Alright, well, I just need to throw on my boots and we can go." Elena said, deciding to let the whole thing go.

"Sure thing," Bonnie said as Elena moved to let Bonnie in. Immediately, Bonnie took a seat at the bench beside her door. "So, what did I miss?"

Elena began to scan her mind for any event or story to tell, but she couldn't think of much. Suddenly, she remembered her impending date with Damon tonight. And she wanted to inform Bonnie before Caroline got ahold of her.

"Alright, I have something to tell you before Caroline gets a chance, but please don't cry, squeal or jump up and freak out." Elena said slowly as she sat down in the chest across from Bonnie, who suddenly looked worried.

"Don't tell me you've met someone," Bonnie said suspiciously, and Elena blinked. She had to give it to Bonnie. The girl was well beyond a good guesser. She should be on Jeopardy or something.

"You have!" Bonnie breathed, her green eyes wide. "Elena Gilbert, anti-romantic has been swept off of her feet by a man? I'll have to call E! News."

Elena rolled her eyes. "Very funny. First, I'm not anti-romantic. I've just never found a guy who isn't either a lying, cheating asshole, in the closet, or emotionally detached. And I appreciate a rose bouquet and chocolate when the time is right."

"I'm sorry," Bonnie said, "I'm just ... Shocked. It's just that it's been a while since you've been interested in anyone. It's refreshing to see you like this."

"Thanks," Elena smiled. "It's fine. I'm gonna go grab my boots and we can go."

"Damn it, Hayley, where are the flowers?"

Caroline's strict tone startled Elena as she and Bonnie entered the shop. And when they did, Elena was reminded of the cafe the day she met Damon.

"Holy shit," Bonnie breathed as she looked around. At least a dozen women stood in the store, scattered out like a baseball team on the field. Poor Vanessa was scrambling at the register, and Caroline was stomping her way through the store, no doubt in search of Hayley. Matt was at the sampler table in the middle of the room, showing a couple of women their samples.

"Bonnie?"

As Elena and Bonnie glanced up, Matt was approaching them slowly as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"Matt," Bonnie smiled, and soon, she had her arms wrapped around him.

"Oh, good to see you," he smiled. As they broke apart, Matt addressed both of them.

"Thank god you two are here now. Care's going ballistic." He sighed as he placed a hand over his neck. "Hayley can't find the flowers that she ordered. I wouldn't be surprised if she's looking for a job by lunch."

"I'll go help." Elena offered, and when Matt looked at her, she saw the look of broken hope in his eyes.

"I'll come with," Bonnie said suddenly, and Elena looked at her in surprise. Bonnie widened her eyes, and Elena knew she had a burning question.

"Alright." She sighed as she and Bonnie left Matt as they headed to the back.

"What's going on there?" Bonnie asked once they were alone. Elena didn't need to ask to know what she was referring to. As she opened box by box, she searched for the shipment that was their sample flowers.

"Just another icing out after another attempt at asking me out." Elena sighed as she pushed an already searched box aside and reached for another. She hated talking about Matt. She already felt guilty enough just knowing she hurt him.

"You say it like he's courting you for a job at the thrift." Bonnie quipped, and Elena frowned as she turned to Bonnie.

"I just can't look at him and not feel the guilt. I care about him. He's one of my best friends. But I just don't see him as anything but that. And knowing that he's hurting because of me isn't an easy burden to carry."

"No, I understand why you won't go out with him," Bonnie corrected as Elena began to open the last box. "It's just that he seems more upset than usual. I mean, this isn't the first time he's asked you out. He's still in love with you."

"Yeah, that." Elena cleared her throat. When she saw the batch of flowers, she let out a sigh of relief as she pulled a bouquet out and waved it in Bonnie's face. She pulled down the box and set it onto the concrete floor, settling herself on top of it to continue the story. "A couple of days ago, Damon called here and asked me out on a date. And Matt heard the message. I know he's livid over the fact that I'm going on a date with Damon but not him. And it's understandable."

Out of nowhere, Elena felt her phone vibrating in her pocket and immediately pulled it out, answering without checking the caller ID.

"Hello?"

"Well, hello, Elena," a velvet voice spoke sweetly, causing Elena to flush. Once she saw the look of amusement on Bonnie's face, she stuck her tongue out playfully.

"Damon," Elena breathed.

"So, listen. About tonight." He cleared his throat, and Elena suddenly knew what was coming next. He warned to reschedule or cancel.

"The Summer Carnival opens down at the Boardwalk tonight, and I was wondering if you'd want to go."

Or not.

Elena immediately lit up inside. The Summer Carnival had always been one of her favorite pastimes in town.

"Sure," she grinned. She was acting like a freaking high schooler.

"I'll see you at six," he said. "Should I come pick you up at your shop?"

Elena nodded excitedly. "Yeah, that'll be good. I'll be working until then, anyway."

"See you tonight." Damon purred, and Elena felt her stomach stir with butterflies. God, why did he have to have that affect on her?

"See you," she said, and the line was cut.

"Date arrangements?" Bonnie asked.

Elena shook her head. "It's not a date. It's a meeting between two acquaintances who are mildly interested in each other after drive-by flirting " Elena clarified, to which Bonnie responded by arching her perfect raven eyebrow.

"It's a date," Bonnie quipped with a mischievous smile, and Elena found herself giggling, when suddenly, the sound of a cleared throat emerged, and Elena and Bonnie whipped their heads to the door, where Matt held a box as he stared at Elena in longing. Once he caught her eye, he sped out of the room.

But not before Elena saw the broken look in his eyes.

"God, Matt," Elena said as she ran a stressed hand through her silky chocolate hair.

"He'll get over you," Bonnie said encouragingly, "Eventually. Elena Gilbert is not the only fish in the sea."

Elena scoffed as she stood up on her feet and scooped up the box containing the flowers.

Quarter to six rolled around fairly quickly. Elena had been on the phone with Mystic Falls Lutheran Church, scheduling her client's wedding.

"And they want a live band at the reception?" The warm voice of Pastor John asked, and Elena nodded.

"They are pushing for the case, yes," she explained.

"Alright," Pastor John sighed. "I'll make the arrangements. I'll just need the information of the band that Ms. Wolf and Mr. Lockwood are interested in."

"Great, will do. Thank you so much, Pastor John." Elena smiled as she set the phone on the dock, relieved to be finally getting off of the phone after four straight hours of indulging in the activity. Yes, it was her job and she loved her job more than anything, but today of all days was the one she needed to be overflowed with calls. She had her meeting with Damon. Or date, as Bonnie and Caroline had insisted it be called. Rolling her eyes as she recalled their attempts, Elena pushed all thoughts aside as she examined the clock. Shit. She has less than twenty minutes to get ready, and as she dropped her gaze to her choice of apparel, she suddenly felt underdressed.

"Elena!"

As she looked up in her frenzy, Elena caught sight of Caroline and Bonnie rushing toward her looking frantic.

"What the-?" Caroline spluttered as she gestured to Elena's outfit. "Why aren't you ready?"

Elena sighed as she ran her hand through her hair. "I just got off the phone with the church. I didn't realize how the time had passed."

"It's fine. We'll just have to change your outfit and touch you up." Bonnie stated as she observed Elena's appearance.

"What?" Elena squeaked, "I don't have time to run home-"

"I know." Caroline said. "Which is why..."

As Caroline's face broke into a wide and mysterious grin, Elena frowned as Caroline reached for Elena's hand. Elena would've spoke with rejection, however her nerves were blocking her words. Her legs had been turned on to autopilot as she hazily followed Caroline and Bonnie toward what seemed to be in her state, the storage room.

Suddenly, they came it a halt, and Caroline momentarily let go of Elena's hand to strip away the tarp that had covered a rack of gorgeous yet casual dresses. All with the name "Forbes Bridal" printed onto the tags that hung from them.

And when Elena picked up what Caroline was putting down, her eyes widened as she shook her head in disapproval.

"Oh, no, no, no, no." She denied. "We are not using your mother's shipments."

"Elena, it's one dress. Plus, she's totally fine with it." Caroline added with a grin.

"Well, I'm not." Elena countered. "These are bridesmaid dresses."

"You think I don't know that?" Caroline retorted, offended, and Elena felt a twinge of guilt. Until Caroline had went to pull a dress off of the size 2 rack.

"No-"

"Damn it, Elena," Caroline huffed as she shoved the purple dress into Elena's chest. "Take it into the changing rooms and try it on. Now."

Before Elena could argue, Bonnie escorted Elena to the nearest dressing room, the sound of Elena's boots squeaking against the floor as she attempted to resist. Sure enough, however, Elena was shoved and locked into a cubicle, and knowing that she wasn't going to be let out until she had tried the dress on, she reluctantly slid out of her clothes.

"You won't regret it, Elena!" She had heard Caroline's certain voice flow into the cubicle.

She was a handful.

Soon, after five minutes of occupation in the dressing room, Elena squeaked her door open hesitantly, and when she felt a thud from the other side, Bonnie soon appeared. Caroline stood aside her, her mouth hung open.

"What?" Elena asked as she gauged her friends' reactions.

"Jesus," Bonnie gasped. Elena's gaze shifted to her, and Bonnie wore a grin that rivaled Caroline's.

"Absolutely," Caroline clapped her hands together. "So beautiful."

Deciding that she had finally warned to see what she had looked like in the dress, Elena turned around and was met with the image of herself, decked in a beautiful and elegant purple dress. Sleeveless, the dress was perfectly fitting, had no sign of low-cut areas, nor was it to short. With the assisting ruffles, it had reminded her of her recent purchase from Forever 21. This was her dress. And though she despised to admit it, Caroline and Bonnie were right.

"Wow," Elena breathed as she took herself in.

"Yeah," Caroline giggled as she and Bonnie snuck into the frame in either side of Elena.

"Now, shoes."

As Elena sat at the front desk, she patiently awaited Damon's arrival. I'm fact, every time that the entrance bell chimed, Elena found herself glancing upward hopefully, only to he disappointed when she saw it was just another customer. She as slouched over the desk, trying to fix the ribbon of white roses that fell from the edge. Earlier, a bride and her young son came in, and while Bonnie tended to the mother, Elena was busy making calls as the son played with the string. And every time the mother went to tell the boy not to play with it, Bonnie called her over. She herself would've done the task, but she was tangled up in phone calls nonstop.

"Wow,"

When Elena recognized the velvet voice enter the shop, she snapped her head upward, and was met with bright blue eyes. However, when her heels pounded against the counter, she scrambled to her feet in embarrassment. No doubt he hadn't seen her cleavage as they were certainly exposed as long as she was tending to the flower string.

"Hi," she said breathlessly as she took him in. He wore black slacks,which had the hem of his white dress shirt tucked in. Elena couldn't nor wouldn't deny that he looked absolutely delicious.

Damn, she needed to get her thoughts straight. And at that moment, Elena realized that Damon was a hazard to her conscience.

"And I thought I looked pretty damn good," he assessed with a smirk that had Elena's inner feline clawing at the beautiful bastard. You look absolutely fuckable! Her Inner Feline purred. Elena immediately shoved her down. She wasn't the type of girl to jump in the sack with a near stranger as much as her Inner Feline had wanted her to.

"Thanks," she grinned as she flushed. "You don't look so bad yourself."

Oh, stop downplaying the sex god! Her Inner Feline hissed. Was there an 'off' button?

Damon's eyes met hers.

"Why, thank you, Elena," he drew her name out so sultry-like that she wouldn't have been surprised if her Inner Feline had pounced the man within the next seconds.

"So, shall we go?" He asked, and Elena would've responded had she not heard the loud thud that crashed onto the floor.

When she turned, the center-piece vase that rested on the table not five seconds ago was now spread out across the floor in a mess. As she looked up, Matt stood beside the center table, his bloodied hand filled with shards of glass, and a look of absolute devastation played at his face. It was only when she noticed Matt's gaze flicker behind her that Elena realized that his seeing her with Damon had caused him to become upset and throw the vase onto the floor. If she hadn't felt guilty enough, this took home the gold. As Elena made to rush over to help, she was soon stopped in her tracks by a wide-eyed Caroline, who spayed her palm out int the air as she bent down beside the remains of the shattered vase.

"Go!" She cried. "I've got this!"

Elena blinked. "Are you sure? Because-"

"Go!" Caroline insisted, a fiery strike in her eyes.

Instead of moving toward Caroline and the scene, Elena slowly backed up until she felt a thud behind her. Damon's eyes greeted her as she whipped around. She didn't miss the message in his eyes. So she nodded and followed him out of the store.

"I am so sorry about that," Elena said desperately. How she has managed to allow Damon inside there for Matt to see, she didn't know; but she did know that Damon wasn't a secret and the only way for Matt to move on was for him to see that he had no other choice.

"It's fine," Damon said. "Who was he?"

Elena sighed. "Matt. "One of my best friends. He's worked at the shop for us since his house was foreclosed. He's saving up for an apartment. Right now, he's staying with my little brother Jeremy."l

"Huh," Damon muttered, causing Elena to intervene.

"What?" She asked.

Damon shook his head. "Nothing." He sighed. And when they had approached what looked to be a baby blue Camaro, no more words were exchanged.

The Mystic Falls Summer Carnival was exactly as Elena remembered it; neon lights flashed brilliantly in every direction, displaying names of attentions as well as food stands. The first thing Elena saw as they entered the boardwalk the Ferris wheel, and she remembered that she'd always wanted to be kissed at the top. That wasn't so easy as she was slightly afraid of heights and had never been on one before.

"Pretty incredible, huh?"

As Damon's voice called her to, Elena nodded. I grew up here. Every summer in high school, my friends came here."

"My little brother Stefan and I came here every summer as kids." Damon shared, and Elena raised her eyebrows.

"You grew up here, too?" She asked, and Damon nodded.

"When you're a member of a Founding Family, you don't really get much of a choice."

Wait.

"Your family was one of the Founding Families as well?"

"Yep." Damon nods as if it's no big deal. "Salvatore's. You?"

"Gilbert's." Elena said, feeling excited about meeting another member. "Did you go to the party the other day?"

Damon moaned as he nodded. "Horrible. The Fell's really need to go to 'How To Throw A Party The Right Way'."

"Yeah, I blacked out from drinking to remember any of it. But it must've been awful or I would've remembered some."

"Yeah, I blacked out to. Pretty much the entire guest list did after someone brought the beer."

"The only thing that saved the night." Elena giggled.

"Definitely." Damon agreed as he shifted in his seat. "So, any reason your friend smashed the vase?"

As damon brought up the incident, Elena's mood dropped, but she felt talking about it would help.

"In my freshmen year of high school, Matt asked me out. I wasn't too keen on dating one of my best friends, but agreed to it. We went out for about a few weeks."

"And then?" Damon asked gently.

Elena braced herself. "And then... my parents died." She sighed, feeling as if a small ghost was being put to rest; she never was one to share her life story with a stranger.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." Damon interjected, but Elena waved him off.

"It was a long time ago. Anyway, after that, I stopped believing in love; my parents were the epitome of true love and happiness that I couldn't bear to be with anyone in that way. So for a long time, I completely avoided guys. But matt still has hope that he and I will get back together. It's hard, letting him down. I mean, before my parents died, I cared about him in a way that maybe could've been swayed to a romantic way, but when my parents died, I couldn't look at anyone in that way for a long time."

"And when he saw me with you, he got jealous." Damon deduced.
Elena nearly jumped out of her seat as he hit the nail. "Exactly." She nodded.

"Well, let's hope I give him something to be jealous of," Damon quipped, causing Elena to roll her eyes.

That definitely wouldn't be to hard to do.

"So, how about you?" Elena asked as she composed herself. "Any relationship drama?"

At her words, Damon sighed. "There was one. Katherine."

"Who was she?"

"She was a girl I met in high school. We fooled around a bit, and I eventually fell for her."

"Sounds complicated." Elena assessed.

"You have no idea." Damon chuckled, and Elena couldn't help but think there was an off sound to the action.

"So, what do you want to so?" Damon asked, and Elena knew he wanted to step down from the subject.

"I have an idea."

"Who's turn is it?"

Elena and Damon stood in the center of the carnival, both examining the map of attractions carefully. For the last half hour, they had spent their time doing things that one had never done before. Elena had thought the idea up as Caroline and her conversation about Breakfast At Tiffany's came to mind.

"Mine," Elena said as she traced her index finder across the paper map.

"Ah," Elena decided as her eyes landed on the Ferris wheel. Within seconds her index finger was hovering over the image.

"The Ferris wheel?" Damon inquired with a look of shock.

"I've never been on one." She admitted shyly. It was like saying you'd never tasted chocolate or are McDonald's.

"I'm sort of afraid of heights." Elena said cautiously.

"If that's the case, then why don't you pick something different?" Damon wondered.

"No. I want to do this. I'll feel better." She said determinedly.

"Are you sure this has nothing to do with wanting me to kiss you at the top like those cheesy romance films?" He arched a questionable eyebrow at her, and Elena felt her skin begin to flame and willed it not to.

Hell yes! Her Inner Romantic cried.

"Don't be so cocky," Elena challenged him with an eyebrow. Even though a small part of her perked up when he let the elephant out.

"You know I'm right." He smirked, and Elena couldn't restrain her blush no longer.

"Think what you may," Elena chuckled. "Let's go!"

After ten grueling minutes of standing in line and Damon's cocky flirtation, the two or them finally were seated in a cart for the Ferris wheel, and Elena suddenly breathed in. She was facing one of her fears. She could do it.

She would do it.

"Are you alright?" Damon asked as he brushed his hand against her thigh.

Sure he meant for the gesture to be comforting, but Elena could only think of his touch on her. Damn good she was wearing a dress to cover or she'd be going more stir crazy than she already was.

"What?" Elena asked as she turned to face him.

He's not touching you. He's not touching you.

"You look a little pale." He assessed.

"I told you, I have a little fear of heights," she reminded him as she saw the ground begin to shrink beneath her. "I'm j-just a little nervous."

"How little?" Damon asked, and once their cart was halfway to the top, Elena closed her eyes to prevent her from glancing down.

"Maybe not so little after all," she said as she still imagined the sight. Her heart was racing, nearly jumping out her chest. The handle was suddenly slippery, and Elena realized her hands were sweaty. God, this was a mistake. She was never doing this again.

Suddenly, everything froze as Damon placed his hand under her chin, calling her eyes to him.

"Hey," he whispered. "You're fine. It's alright."

And as Elena's gaze drifted to his lips, time seemed to stop completely as her heart picked up again, but for entirely different reasons.

And as Damon's lips neared hers, Elena leaned in, ready for the contact, ready to be lost in him.

But her wish didn't come as she felt her stomach flop. Elena turned away from him and gripped the edge of the cart with her life as she deposited her stomach onto the cart floor.

"Shit." Damon swore, and Elena didn't need to look back to see him recoil. She expected he would be at the very edge of the seat. But when she felt her hair being scooped up and a warm hand on her back, Elena was suddenly confused. Why was he helping her? Shouldn't he be disgusted?

"What are you-?" She heaved.

"Shh." Damon interrupted. "It's alright."

Elena wanted to argue with him that it was sure as hell not alright, but as she moved to speak, her stomach churned once more.

The ride home was silent enough to hear a pin drop. Elena hadn't said anything since her 'Damon, I'm so sorry for ruining tonight' speech. After his acceptance, they found their way down in the ground, and Elena was aided by damon and a staff assistant to the car via wheelchair. Elena would've been humiliated, but she knew she was crazy to try to walk with her tender stomach, so she let it go. The assistant, who eyed Elena much too long for her liking, offered her a bucket, bid them a safe night and went on his merry way.

"I'm sorry-" Elena began as she clutched the bucket in her lap. Damon held up a hand, and before she could ask, he pulled in front of her house.

"How did you-?"

"I called your shop. Some Bonnie friend told me."

Great. Caroline would know by now what happened. There was no dodging that bullet. She would surely be dragged into the ER by mid morning, yet as Elena felt a tiny wave of nausea, she contemplated that a medical visit wouldn't hurt.

"Listen, Damon-"

Immediately, Damon climbed out of the car and Elena was left alone. Seconds later, her door opened, revealing a hand. Elena sighed as she took its. Silence filled the atmosphere as he walked her up to her door, and Elena stopped in her tracks.

"Damon." She said, and immediately Damon turned. "I'm so sorry that I ruined this. God, I should never have let myself go up into that Ferris wheel-"

"It's not your fault."

What?

"What do you-?"

"Don't blame the night on yourself. It just happened." He said. "And I'm honestly glad we did."

Elena blinked, stunned and confused by his words. "What do you mean?"

"Because if we hadn't gone up there," Damon said slowly and gently as he approached Elena, who suddenly felt her back against her door. "Then I wouldn't have had the courage to do this."

She soon felt soft and warm hands cup her face. Before he could seal her fate, Elena shook her head sadly.

"I have the breath of a dumpster." She reminded him cautiously. She wanted him to continue, but not to throw up as well.

"Does it look like I give a fuck?" He said against her breath.

Just as she was to protest, Damon's lips teased hers, and immediately, they found here in the dark, and Elena responded at once.

"Damon," she said breathlessly. His kiss was rapidly robbing her of her breath, but she didn't care. The pads of his thumbs brushed against her cheeks, turning her to a puddle of melted chocolate. God, his touch was electrifying.

"I should go," Elena said against his lips.

No, No! You will not ruin this! Her Inner Romantic shouted. Elena slapped her hand over the bitch.

She wasn't the girl who would hop into bed with a guy on their first date. No matter how much the devil on her shoulder and her Inner Feline craved her to be.

"Right." Damon pulled away. The look in his eyes told her he mustered every ounce of strength to stop.

"So, how about a rain check?"

Elena looked up into blue eyes.

"What?" She squeaked. "You actually want to try this again?"

Damon rolled his eyes. "Do you think that after that, I could just walk away from you without a second glance?"

His words swelled into her heart, and her Inner Romantic cheered.

Are you brain-dead? Say yes to him!

"Besides, if we're being honest, I didn't count tonight as our first date."

Despite the instant stab of hurt, Elena spoke. "Oh? Why not?"

Damon cleared his throat. "Because if tonight had been our first date, I would've picked you up in my car, we'd eat a candlelight dinner and I'd walk you to your door like I did tonight."

Damn it, say yes! You want this! Take it! Her Inner Romantic chanted, and Elena surrendered.

"Alright," Elena said with a blush. And she didn't care if he saw it.

"I'll call you." He said as he leaned down and placed a kiss on her cheek.

"I like your blush." He said softly as he met her eyes.

What? Really?

Before Elena could respond to his admission, he was already down the staircase and in his car.

And Elena felt like a teenager as she entered her house on a cloud and slid down the back of the front door, touching her now plump lower lip.

AN: Well, hope you liked it! Review for more! Love to hear your thoughts! They're greatly appreciated/welcome and strongly motivate updates! :)

PS: Feel free to check out my other stories! They're all DE!

PPS: Follow me on Twitter, EverbloomMist13!

~*Songs that were mentioned or that inspired this chapter*~

THEME: Terrified / Katharine McPhee & Jason Reeves