He watched the surprise flicker over her features and tried to smile but couldn't quite manage it. He drew in a breath and let it out slowly, shrugging like it didn't matter. Deep down he knew it wouldn't have worked out anyway. Elena loved him and he knew that was true -- but she hadn't been in love with him. And if she had, it hadn't been for a long time.
Still. Being around her and spending time with her even as good friends? Was better than the knowledge he had of what was in store for her back home. Becoming a vampire. Losing the last of her family. Turning off her humanity. Sure, she eventually flipped it back on, but he knew that nothing would ever be the same for her again. She'd never be the happy girl he'd fallen in love with so long ago.
Because of Katherine and Klaus, he thought bitterly, rubbing a hand over his face. He couldn't go there. There was no point. Katherine was human and Klaus was untouchable and nothing good could ever possibly come from him holding onto that anger, even if he knew he'd never be fully rid of it. At either of them.
"Maybe," he echoed, though he didn't believe it. He turned toward the coffee pot once more when it finished brewing and poured each of them a cup. He handed one to Caroline and took a drink, making a face. He'd never been a huge fan of coffee but he'd found it to be a necessity more than once the last couple years.