He had liked Sharon but she wasn't what he wanted, he went for her originally as everybody was telling him he should get back in the game, regardless of if he wanted to or not he perused her. He soon realised he was playing her along when Clint pointed out if he had no interest in her it wasn't fair to keep her from other men. This stuck with the captain as he thought about what to do, he knew he had to end this odd relationship they had. Despite doing nothing more than kissing the girl once he knew he had to let her go, for her sake and his as he had no interest in the girl physically and didn't feel any 'spark' with the said girl.
His meeting with Sharon went better than expected as she seemed to agree there was nothing between the two of them. He was surprised when she commented on the fact he may have gone for her due to her relation with Peggy and she went for him after growing up hearing stories of the said man. He couldn't help but feel this was true, he couldn't have Peggy so he went for a women who reminded him of her.
It had been several months since he ended his 'relationship' with Sharon although Clint was eager to point out kissing a girl doesn't mean you're in a relationship. Sharon seemed to agree with Clint from what Steve made of her opinion on the end of their 'relationship'. He was glad that no one was pushing him to find a woman anymore, he was happy he was being left to his own devises even if Scott did point out pretty woman in the street telling the captain to look.
He couldn't remember the last time it had been just him walking the streets, being really alone no one watching him or tracking him, he was alone and he was enjoying it. He couldn't remember what state he was in or the way back to the house he was sharing with his friends all he could do is keep walking, further into this small deserted town. There were a few people walking the streets but not many, after getting used to the city in the century this was all new for him and rather odd but the quite was nice. Stopping in front of a small store he peered in the window, noticing from the sign it was a book store but it wasn't like the big book stores in the city this was small and had character. This small store made him think of home. Looking at his self in the window he pulled his hat down a little and adjusted his fake glasses and zipped his hoodie up slightly.
Nodding slightly at his reflection he decided to walk in. Taking not of the small bell that rang above his head he smiled as he took in the view, the store was smaller than it looked stacks of books all placed neatly on the shelves. Taking a closer look he noticed that there were small labels above the books indicating what genre the shelves stacked. Some of the books looked new and most looked old with battered spins and worn covers. Noticing the vintage section he made his way over avoiding the piles of books which were piled on the floor next to the shelves and in front of them.
"Did you need a hand finding anything?" A soft voice called
Steve turned to locate the voice noticing a young woman now sitting behind the desk, he noted that she was not there when he was looking in the window, he smiled as he realised she must have come out when she heard the bell since the store was empty when he arrived. Smiling at her he shook his head and said "I'm just looking."
She beamed at him with a slight toothy smile which made Steve take a double look at the girl behind the desk as she spoke.
"If you need a hand just let me know." With that she turned her attention to whatever was on the desk in front of her and left Steve to browse the shelves.
Steve noticed a few books from his time taking one down he noticed the book was in good condition and wondered if it was really from his time. Opening it he was the seal noting it was a first edition, published in his time. His eye brows furrowed as he inspected the book quite confused about it. Taking the book to the desk he placed it on the counter as he looked down at the woman in front of him.
She had a large note book in front of her with loads of numbers it made him dizzy just looking at that many number. She finished writing the last number and looked up at Steve with her teethy smile making him stumble a little before she spoke. "That's a good book. Would you like me to wrap it for you?" she asked as she pointed to the book.
"It is I've read it before." He replied forgetting what he wanted to say
"Not many people read classical literature anymore. It's nice to know some people still like the classics." She smiled before speaking again "Is there anything else I can help you with?"
"Yeah, this book it looks in very good condition but the pages are old. I don't understand." He scratched the back of his head suddenly embarrassed.
"The cover has been restored. When I got the book it was falling apart, could have lost the book entirely but I managed to salvage it." She smiled brightly as she explain the look of pride in her eyes.
"You restored it?" Steve asked not quite believing that this young woman could restore such a thing.
"Yup." She smiled "A lot of the books in here have been restored. Some are not damaged as bad so don't need immediate restoring."
"I'm impressed. Good job." He smiled as he held the book. "How much for the book?"
She smiled "$150."
Steve stepped back a little.
"I know it seems like a lot but first editions are expensive and there are not a lot around. $150 for that book is actually extremely cheap." She smiled "But don't feel like you have to buy it. I could recommend another book for you?"
He smiled in surprise this was the first time in this century someone selling him something wasn't forcing him to buy it and trying to entice him. "I know this is an odd thing to ask and I know this isn't a library but I was wondering, could I read some of this here and maybe come back to finish it? Of course I'll give you some money for letting me read it here it's just, this book brings back a lot of memories."
"That's fine. I'm the same in book stores I stand and read them end up getting told off. I guess thats why I bought my own, can read all I want and not get told off." She giggled as she replied to Steve "I'm sorry there isn't any chairs to sit on, but there is some cushions on the window ledge you are free to sit there if you wish."
"Thanks." Steve smiled as he took the book to the window ledge and sat down looking out at the street as he opened the book. The book smelt old but held a slight scent of what he remembered the book smelling like. His mother would read him this story when he was sick and it brought back a lot of memories for him.
Steve couldn't help but smile at the quietness with the only sound coming from the women at the counter writing in a book and turning pages. Soon all Steve could see or hear were the words on the pages he was reading.
He was forced out of his daze when the woman got his attention by throwing a small pillow at his head from behind the desk.
"Sir? Sorry about that." She blushed apologetically "I was trying to get your attention but you seemed too immersed in the book."
Steve laughed as he shut the book "I'm sorry I was in another world." He smiled as he stood up and walked to the desk
"I'm going to lock up in a moment, I'll hold on to the book for you for when you next come in?" she asked as Steve handed her the book.
"Thanks for this." He stated as he dug into his pocket. "Here" he smiled as he held out a note
"It's no problem. Don't worry about it." She smiled as she closed his hand over the note "No need for that." Putting the book behind the desk she smiled
"I have to give you something." He asked a little unsure what to do.
"Seeing someone enjoy a book is all I need. Technology is destroying the love of real books."
"Thanks." He smiled as he walked out of the store smiling at the sound of the bell above the door ringing once more.
He couldn't help but beaming on his way back to the house. He didn't know how he got there but he managed it with little effort. All he could think about was the young woman's smile as she looked at him and her long blond hair tied in a messy bun, her blue eyes reminding him of the sky as he looked into them. He hadn't felt this level of attraction ever. He was attracted to Peggy but not like this, this was something new to him and he didn't know what to do or what to say to make himself calm down at this point in time.
"I have to see her again." He said to himself as he opened the door to the house he shared not noticing Sam and Scott trying to involve him in their current conversation on women.