Chapter 10

While I was getting ready for work I was trying everything I could to cover up my chest so Amber and Renee didn't see my stitches and ask questions. I was putting make up on my cheek, it was healing very nicely but was still a bit visible and again they were just going to ask questions that I was not ready to answer or talk about yet. I looked in the mirror after I was done and took a big breath. "Okay Luna, here goes nothing." I breathed out while Luna turned her head to side.

The second I walk in the door some guy next to the door smacks me on my ass, what a great way to start. I just keep walking, I don't want to cause a scene and just want to get this night already over with. I get behind the bar trying to act like normal.

"Is something wrong?" Amber asked right away, "Yeah, I'm fine. Why?"

"Oh I don't know that guy smacked your ass and you didn't do anything, you usually would have slug him." Renee chimed in.

"I'm fine, I just don't want to deal with assholes tonight is all." I said trying not to show that I was upset.

I was working for a few hours and all night I was growing more terrified that I was going to see Tall and Short guy again, after all the cops hadn't caught them yet. While pouring a drink I see both Renee and Amber taking off their aprons.

"Where are you going?" I asked suddenly.

"Um, it's 10:30, our shift is over." Renee said confusingly. "Oh right, sorry."

"Are you sure your okay?" She asked me.

"Yeah, I'm fine, I guess I am still a little loopy from being sick yesterday." I replied.

"You want one of us to stay with you?" Amber asked, I wanted to say yes but if I did they would know something was up so I took a deep inner breath "No, you know I'll be fine." They both nodded and left. I took a deep breath and tried to continue to act as normal with fake smiles and all.

Luckily most of the male patrons had left, just a few women and a some couples, thank god! About 11:30 the last person left, I had 30 minutes left until I could lock the door and close up. This guy walked in and I was getting a few flashbacks but again didn't want to show it. I poured him his drink.

"Can I have some peanuts?" He asked, I gave him a quick smile and turned around to get another package. I did not want to turn back around, I acted like I couldn't find them to kill time. When I turned back around Steve was sitting next to the guy. I breathed in relief, "Hi." I blurted out. Man he was quiet, I didn't even hear the bell chime at the front door.

"Hey, hey" He said to me and the other guy, I gave the guy the peanuts.

"Can I get you something?" I asked him trying to treat him like any costumer. "Uh yeah, just a standard beer." While I was pouring him his drink the other guy put money on the table and left.

"Thank you," I breathed after a few seconds, "No problem, can I walk you to your car after you close up?" I shook my head yes. He stayed with me until I closed.

"Thanks again." I said with a smile as we got to my car.

"Your welcome...I wanted to apologize for yesterday. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." He said.

"No, you didn't...it's okay." I said. I was starting to get into my car.

"Listen, I got these tickets from Natasha for a musical called Phantom Of The Opera, she said its important for me to see it, but I can't find anyone that would go with me..." He was starting to say.

"Are you asking me to go with you?" I finished.

"Well yes, I am." He answered. I thought about it for a minute "Yes, I will go with you. But this is not a date." I reminded him.

"Of course not." He confirmed.

"Okay then." I said as I got into my car and left.

(Steve POV narrator)

Steve couldn't believe he messed up so bad. He kept thinking about the line he crossed. Here he was trying to be her friend and she was actually being nice, was having a great time and he had to go and kiss her cheek without asking. He hoped he hadn't scared her. But worse he couldn't shake the feeling he had when he looked in her eyes. They were beautiful, her green eyes shined and her lips so full, he could feel her breath on his lips and he wanted to kiss her...he almost did. That would have been terrible. He had to get some stress out so he decided to go to the compound gym. He was punching the bag hard, it almost came off its hinges. He was out of breath when he saw Natasha standing there.

"Nat, how long have you been standing there?" He asked breathless.

"Long enough...what's going on?" She asked.

"Nothing, just working out like I always do."

"Yeah, but the only time your out of breath is when your in deep thought...what's going on, for real?" She asked again.

"Nothing..." He didn't have to say anything, she didn't know what exactly happened but she knew it had to do with his new "friend." She decided not to push him.

"Well, I got a dilemma," she started to say "I got these tickets but I can't go, but I don't want them to go to waste, so you take them." She said showing him the tickets.

"Thanks but I wouldn't even know who to ask...maybe Wanda will take them. I'll ask her for you, I'm going to see her in a minute anyways." He said starting to walk off.

"You can't!" She blurted out "I mean, I already asked her and she is really busy and this is something you need to see, it important. I mean, it should have been in your notebook." She continued.

"Well, who would go with me?" He asked, "I don't know, Iris might go with you." She answered with a slight grin. He thought about it, and maybe he would. He could see this as a apology for his behavior. He didn't want to impose on her but he really did want to check on her to make sure she was doing good on her first day back at work, it had only been 6 days since she was attacked. He took the tickets from Natasha, took a shower.

When he looked in the window of the bar door he saw one guy, he seemed to be okay but he could tell how tense she was and thought he would just play it cool. He was so nervous asking her to the musical, he took a deep breath and walked in. Asking her to go to the play went better then he thought, he just had to remember this was not a date!

Natasha is playing matchmaker!