Natasha called a week later.

"What are you doing tonight?"

"No plans. Why?"

"Want to go back to that club?"

"Are you kidding me?"

"What? We had a good time."

"You and Wanda had a good time. I had an awkward lap dance... sort of."

"Oh, come on. You told me yesterday he was gorgeous."

"He is. That's not the point."

"Is this about Robert?"

"No. We're divorced."

"You're still in love with him, aren't you?"

"I lost all feelings for Robert after the first year of the dragged out divorce."

"Then you're coming."

"No, I'm not."

"If you don't come stare at naked guys with me then you're going to convince me you're still in love with Robert."

Gwen pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Nat, you can be a real pain in my ass."

"Does that mean you're coming?"

"Yes."

"Yay! Pick you up at eight."

Gwen scanned the room as soon as she entered the club. It was a strange mix of relief and disappointment when she didn't see Bucky.

"Let's sit at the bar," she said.

"Umm... the naked men are that way." Natasha glanced back at the bar. "But the bartender is really cute. Ok. We'll sit at the bar for a while."

The blonde-haired bartender smiled as they sat.

"What can I get you, ladies?"

"I'll take whatever your specialty is," Natasha said, "and your name."

He smiled. "Name's Steve."

"Hi, Steve. I'm Natasha."

"What about you, ma'am? What're you drinking?"

"Just a beer, please," Gwen said.

"So," Natasha said, "has the soldier guy danced yet?"

"Not yet. You two come here a lot?"

"No, but we were here last Friday night. I'm trying to get my friend Gwen back into the world of men."

Steve sat the beer down. "You're Gwen?"

"Yes. Why?"

He shook his head.

"So," Natasha said, "you look like you're in great shape. Why don't you dance?"

"I could never get past the idea of taking my clothes off for strangers."

"Thank you," Gwen said. "It's weird." She looked directly at Natasha.

"It's definitely not for everybody," Steve said. He checked his watch. "But if you're waiting for the soldier, he'll be on in less than five."

"Thanks," Natasha said. "I'll be back later."

Natasha dragged Gwen to a table in front.

"Why can't we sit in the back?"

"I want a good view."

"You're so gross."

"Hey, you had him in your lap."

"No, I didn't."

"What?"

"I didn't tell you, because you seemed so pleased that I went through with it, but we really just talked."

"Are you kidding me? You had that gorgeous man alone, paid to give you a show, and you talked?"

"Yeah, see the middle part of that sentence? There's my problem."

"That he was paid? No one's forcing him, Gwen. It's his job. Women do it all the time."

"And it's still icky."

The lights flashed and Bucky came on stage. When he got to Gwen's side, he recognized her. With her hands on the table, she gave a little wave with her fingers, and he grinned. He worked the entire stage, but when he was in front of her he kept eye contact, and he seemed to stay there longer than anywhere else.

He winked at her as he walked off the stage, and she turned to Natasha. Her chair was empty. Gwen craned her neck over the crowd and saw Natasha at the bar, flirting with Steve.

"Unbelievable."

She didn't want to watch the next dancer, so she walked back toward the bar. Halfway there Bucky grabbed her arm.

"Are you my private dance?"

Gwen's eyes widened, and she glared at Natasha who just smiled and waved.

Bucky took her hand and led her to a private room. Once inside, she went to apologize, but he put a finger to her lips and backed her against the wall. He ground his hips against her.

"Wait. Stop."

"What's wrong?"

"This is all my friend, again. I didn't want to do this."

Bucky backed away. "Do you always do things you don't want to do?"

"I'm sorry."

"I'm not. Have a seat."

"I'm sure you have women out there who would kill to be in here doing what you're supposed to be doing with me."

"Yeah, but you're here now. Please sit, Gwen."

"You remember my name?"

"Yeah. Why? You don't remember mine? It's―"

"Bucky. Yeah, I remember."

He smiled. "Good. So, we remember each other."

"I guess I just thought you see so many women that you wouldn't remember my name."

"Yeah, I see a lot of women. Couldn't tell you any of their names. Half are so drunk they couldn't tell you their own names."

Gwen laughed. Bucky motioned for her to sit, so they did.

"You really don't want the private dance?"

"No. Sorry."

Bucky shrugged. "It's all right. You know, your friend requested me, but if I'm not your type―"

"No, it's not that. I told you last time, it just seems like such an intimate thing."

"You let me do some stuff last time."

"Yeah, but I felt so awkward. I had no clue what to do with my hands, and I didn't want to accidentally grind against you, so I just stood there."

"Well, hands aren't a problem. You can touch me."

He took her hand and held her open palm against his chest.

"I don't know."

He removed his hand, and hers fell away.

"Look, we don't have to do anything. We can talk, like last time."

"Thank you."

"How would you like to get coffee with me?"

Gwen's eyes went wide. "What?"

"Coffee. So we can talk without one of us being paid."

"I don't really know anything about you."

"That's why we should go get coffee."

"I don't know if it's such a good idea."

Bucky took her hand. "Are you attracted to me?"

"Yes."

"Does what I do turn you off?"

"I hadn't really thought about it, to be honest."

"Then let's get coffee."

"I just got divorced."

"And it took two years. You can't still have feelings for the guy."

"No."

"Then what is it?"

He brushed his thumb over her chin, and she stood.

"I have to go."

"Your time's not up."

Gwen was already out the door. Natasha was still at the bar.

"Nat, we're leaving."

"Why?"

"Now."

She said a quick goodbye to Steve, and they left. Natasha drove her home, but questioned her in the car.

"Did he try something?"

"No."

"Did he hurt you?"

"No, nothing like that."

"Then what?"

"He asked me out for coffee."

"And?"

"And that's it."

"Are you kidding me? You freaked out because he asked you on a date?"

"Yes. I've always hated the dating process, and now it's been so long... I don't know if I can put myself through this."

"Gwen, sweetie, how will you ever find another guy if you don't date?"

"Who says I need a guy? I went two years without one."

"Do you remember at the bar, when Steve asked if you were Gwen?"

"Yeah."

"Bucky told him about you."

"Wait... how do you know his name is Bucky?"

"Steve told me. He's Bucky's best friend. They grew up together. He said Bucky told him all about this amazing woman, Gwen, who came in last week. She was completely sober, never tried to grope him, and just wanted to talk. He said he even kissed your cheek, which you did not tell me. I should be pissed."

"He asked me not to. It could get him in trouble."

"So, this guy kissed you. He looked really pleased to see you there tonight, and he asked you out. And you just left?"

"I panicked."

Natasha pulled into Gwen's parking garage.

"Nat, you could have just dropped me off."

"Hell no. I know I push a little hard sometimes―"

"A little?"

She turned the car off.

"Ok, a lot. It's only because I care about you. I want to see you happy again. You being scared will not lead to happiness. So, let's talk it out over some ice cream."

Gwen smiled. "Sounds good."