I Had to Know You – Part II

AN: Thank you so much for your reviews! I really appreciate them! So here's part 2 for you! Enjoy! – Vanessa

.

We should leave our lovers; we should run after each other
We can share our secrets 'til they swallow one another

.

Bonnie sat at her desk, tapping her pen on the surface – a nervous habit. It had been a week since she met Damon, and she had been resisting the urge to call him. Her inner monologue rambled on in her head incessantly. Why are you being weird about this? It's just two people meeting up for a friendly coffee, nothing more. Except you KNOW it would end up turning into more than that. You like him, admit it. You have a boyfriend! Exactly! Throw away his number and forget you ever met him.With a groan of frustration, she threw the card in the trash and pushed out of her chair to pack up her things and got home for the day. She was only three steps out of her office before she ran back and fished it out, shoving it back in her purse. The monologue continues…she thought to herself.

When she got home, her shoulders fell. The place was a mess; there were half empty food cartons and beer cans on the coffee table, and unsoaked dishes in the sink. With a sigh, Bonnie turned her eyes to her boyfriend, laying on the couch playing Call of Duty, headset firmly in place.

"Hey…you look like you had a busy day." She uttered under her breath as she stepped out of her pumps and placed them on the shoe rack.

Jeremy knocked the headphone off one hear, his eyes never leaving the game. "What's that?"

Her eyes shut as she let out another long exhale. "Nothing. I'm taking a bath." She crossed by the tv to the bedroom, as he looked around her. It had been like this for over a year now. When Jeremy blew his knee out playing football with his friends, it left him unable to work for eight months. She was there through it all; helping him on his road to recovery, taking him to doctor's appointments and therapy sessions. Making him breakfast and dinner, cleaning up after him and even bathing him in the beginning. She was grateful when the doctor said he was cleared to work again…but that was five months ago. She was able to let it go for the first month or two, it was hard to find a job these days, she'd make excuses for him, but now found herself stewing every time she came home and finding him exactly where she left him. Bonnie doubted he'd had an interview recently…he'd been in the same clothes for days.

She stripped from her work clothes, and hung them carefully in her walkthrough closet on her way to the bathroom, and prepped the tub for her bath. She thought back to the day she met Damon, and her mind couldn't help but compare him to her high school sweetheart. Jeremy had swept her off her feet when they were teenagers; he was adorable and tenacious, he would have done anything to see her smile or laugh and she fell for him – quickly. But somewhere along the way, the shine faded…the spark burnt out, and instead of cashing in their chips they doubled down, tried to make it work and pushed through. Now here they were, fourteen years later living two separate lives under one roof.

Bonnie missed that feeling; the flutter of your stomach when he smiles at you, that feeling of being hot and cold at the same time, the banter, the challenge, the subtle innuendos. It's what made the whole relationship exciting, it's what kept that spark alive. She hated to admit it, even to herself...but she felt that last week. He really was charming, in that annoying 'I know it's working' kind of way.

As she sunk into the hot water, she closed her eyes for a moment letting it soothe her muscles. She sat there silently debating with herself before she finally gave in, reaching up and grabbing her cell phone from upper ledge. Scrolling through the contacts she stopped at his name, that she had added on her way home. Bonnie chewed her thumb nail as she thought about it. Should I? No. Why not? You know why.She tapped his name and started a text message.

Hi…

It's Bonnie

She paused, wondering if he even remembered her.

From the elevator…

Oh I remember ;)

I was wondering if I was ever going to hear from you lol

You trying to keep me on my toes?

Lol not intentionally. I'm a busy woman.

I've been working a hard case.

Are you going to win?

I rarely take a case I know I can't win.

Lol well, where's the fun in that?

Don't you enjoy the challenge?

She smiled to herself.

Of course I do. But I hate to lose.

Something else we have in common then

So I'm curious…

What made you change your mind

about reaching out?

I believe you owe me a story.

I do, don't I.

Well, what are you doing Friday night?

Not a date, I promise lol. Just two friends

meeting for some good food.

Bonnie gnawed on her lips as she thought about it. What else was she going to do? Work late to avoid coming home? Lock herself in the bedroom so she didn't have to watch Jeremy spend hours playing that stupid game until one in the morning? It had been a while since she had a night out…

Sure! Why not?

Where should I meet you?

There's a great spot in Tribeca

La Vida on Broadway. 7pm?

Sounds great!

Bonnie placed her phone back up on the ledge, before sinking into the bath. And for some reason, she couldn't stop the giddy smile that pulled on her lips.

…

Friday couldn't come quick enough, although there were multiple times during the week, she almost talked herself out of going. When the day finally came, what convinced her was the text that dinged in that morning.

I still get to see you tonight, right?

She could almost hear the playfulness in his tone. Bonnie felt that flutter in her stomach, and immediately felt guilty for it. But it didn't stop her for replying back.

I'll be there!

Jeremy didn't even seem to notice when she got home, or that she'd showered and spent the next hour getting ready. Bonnie stood in front of the mirror, her heart racing, biting down on her lower lip anxiously. She'd probably tried on half her closet until she finally settled on this outfit. It was a black, fitted tube dress, sinching flatteringly at her cleavage, and hugged her curves right down to her knees. She topped it with a cropped sage green blazer and black wedge sandals. It was classy while not being over the top, and she let her hair fall in beachy waves that fell to her shoulders.

Bonnie walked through the apartment, slipping her phone and lipstick into her purse. "I'm going out." She mumbled.

"Kay…" Jeremy finally peeled his eyes away from the tv to look at her. "Dressed like that? Where you going?"

She glanced up, plastering on a pleasant smile. "Work thing."

He gave a little shake of his head, before glancing back at the tv. "Your whole life is about work; I don't know how you do it."

She shifted her weight, letting her hip pop out as she crossed her arms and her lips pursed. "Well, I worked really hard to get where I am. Sometimes you have to fight to keep the things you want, Jer." She stated pointedly. If he picked up on it, he didn't show it.

He shrugged. "I think if you have to work that hard, maybe it wasn't meant to be." He said it so casually that she almost wondered if he did pick up on her not-so-subtle hint. But when he smiled at her, she could see the innocence in his eyes. "Have a good night."

Bonnie did her best to supress her scoff of derision before blinking and forcing a grin. "You too." And as she hailed a cab outside her apartment building, suddenly…she felt less guilty.

When she walked into the restaurant, her eyes scanned the room, before finally landing on him. Damon seemed to notice her at the same time, and rose to his feet gracefully, his eyes taking her in. It had been a long time since she felt flushed under a man's gaze; and her throat nearly dried at the sight of him. He was in a pair of charcoal grey slacks, and a black button up, with an open collar – the sleeves neatly rolled up to show off his defined forearms. Damn. She noticed his tongue dart out to lick his lips before gracing her with a smile and met her the rest of the way.

"You look amazing…" He started before back tracking. "In a very respectful, platonic, friend way." They both shared a laugh before he pulled out her chair for her.

"You clean up nice too." She leaned in as he sat down. "How did you even get a reservation at this place on such short notice? There's usually a line up around the corner." She whispered in disbelief.

He only smiled; his answer forgotten as the waitress walked over. "Good evening, Mr. Salvatore. Miss." She addressed Bonnie. "Welcome to La Vida. Can I get you started with anything to drink?" She linked her hands behind her back professionally as she waited for Bonnie to respond.

"I'll just have a glass of wine, please. Merlot." A drink was desperately needed.

She turned back to Damon. "And for you a bourbon neat, right?" she smiled pleasantly.

"Yes, thank you." He turned his attention back to Bonnie when the waitress left.

She chuckled. "I guess that answers my question. You're a regular."

"For business meetings mostly. Sometimes I have to schmooze." He smirked with a lazy roll of his eyes.

She crossed her legs, leaning her elbow on the table, and resting her knuckles under her chin. "Is that what you're doing with me?" She berated herself internally at her flirting, but it just came out so naturally.

He laughed, his smile brightening his face. "No this is strictly for pleasure."

The waitress came back with their drinks and Damon clink his with hers, his eyes never leaving her as he took a sip. It was hard not to flush under his gaze. "To new friends." He toasted.

"To new friends…" she repeated.

Soon, they were wrapped up in conversation. An easy exchange volleyed between them, and when the waitress came with their place settings, she also lit the candle in the center of the table. It was enough to sober Bonnie up, and she leaned back in her chair, putting some much-needed distance between them.

He seemed to notice the shift in her mood and frowned. "Is everything okay?" She averted her eyes to her lap, having an internal debate with herself. "This is too much like a date, isn't it?"

She let out a nervous laugh meeting his gaze, grateful that he said what she was struggling to explain. "Little bit. Don't get me wrong, I'm having a great time…but the music, the lighting…I don't want you to get the wrong idea."

Damon glanced around contemplatively. "You're right. You know what…" he locked his gaze back on her, as he whipped out his wallet dropping a few bills on the table. "Let's get out of here. Plus, something tells me a place like this isn't really your style." He smirked.

Her brows raised challengingly, her lips quirking in a smirk of her own. "Oh yeah? Then what is my style?"

…

"Mmm!" Bonnie moaned in pleasure as she took the last bite of the fully loaded smokie, earning a chuckle from Damon as they walked 5th Avenue. "Yup…" she swallowed. "The way to every Brooklyn girl's heart…New York street food."

He smiled, watching her thoroughly enjoying her meal in all it's simplicity. Of course, he'd wanted to impress her with a fancy dinner, and the royal treatment, but he realized quickly, she wasn't like the others he'd been with. "You're from Brooklyn?" He wiped his hands before chucking their garbage in the trash.

"Born and raised. What about you?"

"Queens mostly. We bounced around a lot, but New York was always home." He paused, before deciding to share more. "My dad was a cop, killed in the line of duty." He continued neutrally, looking ahead but fully aware of her full attention being on him. "The guy walked and I don't think my mom was ever able to get over it. It started with drinking, then pills…it only got worse after that. Next thing I know, my brother and were in the system."

"That's terrible. I'm sorry." She told him, genuinely empathetic.

He smiled at her reassuringly. "On my eighteenth birthday, I applied for guardianship and I've been looking after Stefan ever since."

Bonnie slowed, turning to him more. "And your mom? Where's she now?"

"Around. In and out of recovery. I see her once in a while…try and help her where I can. But I don't think I've ever forgiven her, you know?" he admitted turning to face her.

She nodded, looking at him…really looking at him. "Yeah…I do." The moment between them was charged; a complete and total feeling of understanding. "I feel the same way, sometimes. I don't think I ever forgave my mom for giving up the way she did. And it's not that I love her any less, it's just-"

"She lost your respect." Damon finished for her knowingly. She paused, and he stopped walking with her.

She was stunned. It's like he stole the words right out of her mouth. "Yeah…I always felt like I was the parent in our relationship, and my friends could never understand why I was being so hard on her after everything she'd been through." Bonnie scoffed. "As if I wasn't going through it too."

Damon nodded with a sardonic snicker. "I hear that. But they don't know what its like. To be the one always picking up the pieces." He said speaking from his own experience.

Bonnie glance up at him. "But you do." It came out as statement almost in wonder. Her friends had grown up under better circumstances; two parent home, nice house, supportive families, and trust funds waiting for them on the other side. They never had to struggle, or earn anything, so over time, she found they could no longer relate to her, and slowly they all disappeared from her life. It didn't bother her any; she was fine with being a loaner. It's not like she'd made any friends worth knowing…until now. "I'm glad I met you, Damon."

He responded genuinely. "I'm glad I met you too."

"I don't have friends." She admitted. "Not since high school. I like to keep to myself mostly…but this has been nice; talking to you, opening up…" she laughed nervously. "It's nice having a friend that I can relate to. But I need you to know that friends, is all I can offer you." Great job Bonnie. Set your boundaries. With any luck, he'll back off and do the hard part for you.

He didn't seem bothered, a reassuring smile spreading on his lips. Had she been some random girl he'd met at the bar, Damon probably would have cut his losses and moved on, but she was right…opening up to her had been nice and comfortable. More comfortable than he'd been with anyone. "I think I can handle that."

…