The low hum of conversation and clinking glasses filled the Mystic Grill, but Enzo heard none of it.

His attention was locked—sharp, unblinking—on the far side of the room.

Remy.

The new guy had made quite the entrance into town, all charm and easy smiles, leaning a little too close, laughing a little too loud. And now? Now he was doing exactly what Enzo had expected—hovering around you like a persistent shadow, fishing for attention that wasn’t his to take.

Enzo stood near the bar, arms crossed tightly over his chest, jaw set. Stefan lingered beside him, calm as ever, while Damon looked thoroughly entertained, sipping his drink like this was better than any show he’d seen in years.

“Careful, mate,” Damon drawled under his breath. “You keep glaring like that, you might set him on fire.”

Enzo didn’t respond. His gaze never wavered.

Across the room, Remy leaned in again, saying something that made a couple of girls nearby giggle. But you? You barely reacted—your expression flat, unimpressed.

Enzo noticed that.

Of course he did.

Still, it didn’t stop the slow burn of jealousy curling in his chest. The way Remy angled himself closer. The way his hand nearly brushed your arm—

That was enough.

Enzo’s posture stiffened, ready to move, ready to remind the man exactly who he was dealing with—

But then you acted first.

Your hand came up, firm and unbothered, pressing straight against Remy’s face and shoving him back without a second thought. No hesitation. No politeness. Just pure dismissal.

Damon choked on his drink. Stefan blinked.

And Enzo… Enzo froze.

You didn’t even spare Remy another glance. Instead, you turned on your heel and walked straight toward Enzo, your expression softening the closer you got.

The tension in his shoulders didn’t ease—not yet. His eyes searched yours, something possessive and uncertain flickering there.

But you didn’t say a word.

You grabbed his collar, tugged him down just enough—

—and kissed him.

Not subtle. Not shy. It was deliberate, firm, and unmistakably his.

Right there in the middle of the Grill.

Right where Remy could see.

For a brief second, Enzo didn’t move—caught off guard. Then his hand slid to your waist, gripping just a little tighter as he kissed you back, all that pent-up jealousy melting into something darker, deeper… satisfied.

When you pulled away, you didn’t linger.

You didn’t explain.

You simply gave him a small, knowing look before turning, linking up with Elena, Bonnie, and Caroline as if nothing had happened, and walking out of the Grill like it was just another night.

Silence followed in your wake.

Damon let out a low whistle. “Well… that was humiliating. For him,” he added, nodding toward Remy.

Stefan shook his head, amused.

Enzo, however, didn’t look away from the door you’d just walked through.

Slowly, a smirk tugged at his lips—sharp, proud, and just a little dangerous.

“Good choice,” he murmured to himself, voice low and satisfied.

Then, finally, he uncrossed his arms.