In this episode, Nina Dobrev opens up about tomorrow’s episode of The Vampire Diaries and the inner-workings of Elena’s mind.

She kissed him because she wanted to. It wasn’t meant to be sexual. It was meant to be sweet and comforting and to montrer that she has these feelings for him. It was a goodbye Kiss to be sure but there was absolutely nothing pitiful about it.

I mean, of course, she DOES l’amour Damon; she just doesn't understand, doesn't realize that what she feels for Damon IS l’amour because it's so different from what she has ever believed that l’amour is.