[ she guesses he's right; they do run into each a lot, and elena has no complaints. his compliment does affect her - and maybe it shouldn't be unexpectedly, but it is. maybe it's because lately - she thinks of damon and his desperate intensity... because it's not comparable. her gaze lifts to his, and she smiles softly in thanks. she likes sam. the way he makes her feel is... the memory of the way matt made her feel. the way stefan did. warm. appreciated. young, maybe.
a way she didn't think she'd ever really feel because she's not young like that, not anymore. sam doesn't deserve her to project these feelings onto him, and she's not - she's not the type of person to do that anyway. not to mention he's off-limits. ] So, I - I met someone you know. You mentioned him. Cas?