Last edited May 9, 2021
Sarah
Sarah stood in the kitchen with her back leaned against the counter, her one arm folded across her chest, and the other holding her cell phone to her ear.
"Gurl, I told you, it didn't work out," Sarah explained to her friend, Charise, about her recent blind date. "I gave it a shot," she continued. She shook her head in dismay.
"There was nothing. No sparks and a waste of my time. I don't think this whole dating thing is for me right now."
"You have to put yourself out there, Sar." Charise replied on the other line. "Be open to being wooed, honey!"
"Dr. Luke did the opposite of wooing that night. Trust me."
"You just didn't give him a chance."
"I did, I swear! It's just... we had really nothing to talk about. All he did for an hour was brag about his dental practice. He asked if I flossed, and which dentist I went to. The whole thing felt like a dental consultation, not a date!"
Charise guffawed, "Sar, stop it! You are too funny! Please tell me you're lying."
"I'm not, I swear. The whole time I wondered if this was a cruel joke or you lost your marbles, Charise. One would think we never grew up together, and you don't know me well enough to know the type of men I'm attracted to."
"Okay, in my defense," Charise pronounced. "That doesn't sound like the Dr. Luke I know."
"Hmm-hmm." Sarah raised an eyebrow and twirled a loc of her hair between her fingers in thought.
"There are ladies here that would love to have been in your shoes to have a night with Dr. Hunk-a-muffin, honey."
"No. They can have him. Good luck, sayonara!"
"I bet you didn't give him a chance. You probably just let him talk your ear off, nodded all respectable like-per usual Sarah- while you planned your exit strategy. Tell me I'm wrong. I dare you."
"No, not at all," Sarah replied, "I let him dance with me!"
"Oh, okay. Now, we got something here," Charise sounded amused on the other line.
"Do tell."
"After one song he wanted to go somewhere afterwards, so as he put it 'get to know each other more' if you know what I mean. But you know damn well I was not going to."
Sarah heard a gasp of surprise from her friend. "On the first date? No! Nuh-huh, Dr. Luke was tripping! I didn't expect him to be like that."
"Sounds to me like the Dr. Luke you know and the one I met are different people," Sarah retorted.
~.~.~.~
Sarah pushed herself off the counter and grabbed a nearby magazine and started to fan herself with it. It was way too hot to get fired up, and she did her best to hide her irritation as Charise, her ever determined and adamant friend, began to list off all the reasons why Dr. Luke and she were a great match, starting with the fact he had begged her to set them up on a blind date.
"Doesn't that sound desperate, Charise?" Sarah asked as she looked out an open window in the kitchen for a moment and prayed for a gust of wind to cool her. "Also, shouldn't there be a spark between people on the first date? Otherwise, what's the point of going on giving it another shot?"
"Girl, that spark can happen later when you get to know each other!" Charise explained.
"Have you read that New York Times article about the 36 questions that help people love? It said there was some study that showed love or liking someone is all about being vulnerable about stuff."
"I saw you texted me the link. I hadn't gotten a chance to read it."
"Well, I think you should, so you won't have any more boring conversations with dates."
"Or my good friend doesn't set me up on any more blind dates," Sarah retorted.
"I also think you need to go on another date and try using those questions and see what happens. Maybe a second date with Dr. Luke? You know he's been asking me about you, and why you haven't messaged him."
~.~.~.~
Sarah tried her best to hide her irritation and said in her best non-snarky tone, "What are you, his public relations? I thought I made it clear, there wouldn't be a second date."
"Okay, honey. Fine, I'll drop it. I can hear you getting sassy," Charise backed off. "But I still think you need to put yourself out there, Sar. Go on more dates, be available. God forbid, there's a ton of men out there making googly eyes at you, showing interest. But you know, you're 'Ms. Sarah-Oblivious' over here."
Sarah shook her head and laughed at her friend's observation which she felt was far from the truth.
"Gurl, there aren't any of these men you speak of. Also, 'Ms. Sarah-Oblivious'? Really?"
"It's the truth! I mean look at that friend of Sam's, the super strong, quite one."
"Bucky?"
"Yes. Him. Poor dude keeps googly-eying and smiling at you like you're some rain of freaking sunshine."
"I am a rain of sunshine," Sarah teased, a smile covering her face at the thought of Bucky greeting her with his infectious smile whenever they see each other.
"Well, if he keeps flirting with you to Sam's chagrin, I'm not sure he'll make it by the end of summer. There's also Mr. Carter's son, Tomas, who's taken by you. I heard he made a big deal about helping you with the crawfish boil or lifting items and what not too long ago." Charise said. "I have eyes you know."
Sarah tried to hold her laughter. She knew her friend well enough to know the smell of the waters and fish wasn't her type of environment. Charise was a loyal friend, loving, good hearted, and was known as a diva in her own right. Sarah can't help but remember the one time long ago when Charise stopped by in high heels and a form fitting dress, and how out of place she was among them. She held her head up high, and relished the attention, though not the stench of the docks.
"You barely stop by the dock, Charise. How in the heck can you have deduced that?" Sarah asked.
"I'm just that good."
"Uh-huh. More like gossiping with Old Henrietta from the docks," Sarah replied, mirth in her voice as she envisioned Charise gossiping at church with one of her restaurant's regular diners.
"Well… you're missing the fact that I'm happy where I'm at," Sarah continued to explain. She did her best to make her voice sound like those words were true.
Deep down she wished to have found love again, to feel loved and cherished. Six years was a long time to take care of everyone else's needs but her own. She had to be strong, she didn't have a choice. She had found herself a single mother of two baby boys, with barely money to her name but a house and a boat. She had to work to survive and that often meant putting herself out of the equation. She was Sarah, the Sarah that always helped and took care of everyone. Everyone but herself. So, when was that going to change?
"What's on the agenda for your much needed 'Mama Weekend'?" her friend asked, as she tried to change the topic. "You got the house all to yourself. You can do whatever you want or whomever."
"Charese, stop!" Sarah couldn't stop herself from laughing at the exaggerated words. It was almost comical the fact that the last thing she wanted to do was go out with anyone or do anything that wasn't her bumming around in her home. She wanted absolutely nothing but relaxation and solitude.
That was the plan, although as is in life, plans can often change.
Before Sarah continued her reply, three sharp raps on the screen door at the front of the house got her attention. Someone had dropped by unannounced, and she wondered whom it could be.
When she peeked down the hallway from the kitchen, and glanced at the front door, a familiar handsome man standing outside the locked screen door greeted her. She couldn't help but smile widely at the sight of Bucky as she waved at him, and he waved back.
"Charise, can I call you back?" Sarah asked of her friend, only to receive an exasperated sigh of disappointment and a lighthearted threat she needed to call her back to talk more about getting her love life in order, and chat about her love life. "I promise," she said before hanged up the phone and headed towards her visitor.
~.~.~.~
"Bucky, this is a pleasant surprise!"
Sarah opened the screen door and motioned Bucky inside her house. The heavy front door had been left open for ventilation, and a hot breeze shivered through the room, which she was grateful for. She watched as his face creased into a broad smile as he took in the sight of her, although he didn't take a step forward yet.
"Hello, Sarah. Am I coming at a bad time?" He glanced at the cell phone she clutched in her hand.
Had he heard her having an argument with friend over a stupid blind date gone wrong? How long had he stood at the door unnoticed? Did his heightened senses mean he had super hearing?
Sarah brushed the thoughts aside, and offered him her bright smile, and chose to pretend that he heard nothing of her conversation, and motioned him in.
"No, Bucky, absolutely not. You're not intruding," she assured him.
She opened the screen door and immediately felt a draft of hot air come through. It made her already flushed face warmer. "Please come in, it's scorching out there."
"Thank you, Sarah," he said. Bucky stepped inside and closed the screen door behind him.
They stood in the alcove for a moment and before she could allow him to speak any further, she motioned towards the kitchen.
"Follow me," she said as she smiled up at him, and lightly touched his metal forearm, a common touch they'd often exchange.
"Let's get you a cold drink." She didn't wait for his response, as she turned around and headed to the kitchen.
Her heartbeat faster than usual as she felt him follow her from behind. She wanted to hide the look of realization - almost horror - on her face at the fact that Bucky showed up at her designated "Mama Weekend" when she wasn't in her usual put-together element.
"Mama Weekend" was what Sarah had dubbed the rare weekends in which she had the weekend and the house to herself. There were no kids to take care of. They were at a sleepover until the Monday holiday, and Sarah also took time off from working at the restaurant under Sam's behest so she could rest. It was also the rare occasion where she would let her hair down, and wear her comfortable go-to house clothes, catch up on her reading and whatever was the latest trashy tv show.
That lazy morning, Sarah had slipped on her favorite oversized t-shirt, a faded dark grey shirt that had a logo of a fly-fishing guide company on the breast pocket that she couldn't recall where it came from. Beneath the shirt, she wore a pair of black cotton bike shorts, which was mid-thigh, and would show underneath her shirt when she moved. It was a no-make up, casual, and 'do whatever' type of day.
Although, now with Bucky's unexpected visit, Sarah wished it hadn't been.
She wished that Bucky came by when her boys and Sam were present. It made it easier for her to not be self-conscious when the attention was on anyone else but her. Her sons would have taken most of his attention, playing with his arm, asking him blatant questions, and sharing jokes she relished hearing because it meant she'd hear him laugh. In those times, she could just be an observer, and their exchanges were short yet lingering, a brilliant spark in her day, before she had to get back to work, or take care of an errand.
That didn't stop Sarah from wishing though that she had known he'd stop by. She could have changed into jeans and a nicer t-shirt and have done her makeup and hair. She hated feeling like some frumpy single mom that to any stranger's eyes would think she either had given up or needed to get her life together.
Luckily Bucky knew her, but that fact that she felt out of her element, didn't help boost her confidence either. Nor was the fact that she visibly struggled in front of Bucky as she tried her best to reach for the tall glasses in the upper cabinets to pour their drink into. It didn't help that she also had to hide her frustration with Sam who certainly placed the dishes unconsciously in the upper cabinets where it was easier for him to reach, but not her.
Sarah tried her best to grab the glasses, as they were only a finger's length away. As she positioned herself on the tip of her toes and stretched her arm upward, it dawned on her she wasn't going to reach them and needed help.
Before she could turn to ask for Bucky's help, he was already behind her.
"Let me get that for you."
Sarah heard Bucky's voice behind her and felt his warmth as he towered behind her and reached out and grabbed the tall clear glasses from the cabinet. She felt herself grow warm at their proximity; their fingertips brushed as he handed her the glasses one by one.
It was times like this she realized just how tall he was. Or how nice he smelled or how she enjoyed catching his blue eyes studying her with a smile, or how his hands, metal, or flesh, would find ways to touch her.
"I stopped by to deliver a present from Mr. Langston," he said as he sat down on a stool that was next to the kitchen island between the living room and the kitchen. "I figured I'd drive it here for you."
Sarah tried to hide her little disappointment that his visit was an errand. She brushed this feeling off, however. She busied herself and swiftly turned to open the fridge to grab her home brewed hibiscus and mint black iced was his favorite. He'd said so on many occasions, and ever since then she'd made it a point to have a carafe prepared when he was in tried her best to offer him a wide smile across the island as she poured them some cold iced tea. She knew he didn't like ice in his drink. "You get more tea that way," he had told her with a wink, during one of Wilson's neighborhood barbecues months ago.
She remembered.
She remembered because it was the first time since she'd known him that he wore a short sleeve shirt, and not his usual long sleeve Henley's. And no one batted an eye at the sight of his mechanical arm. By that time after almost a year, the people around the community already knew him as James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes, the friend of the Wilsons, who trained with Captain America and known to her kids as "Uncle Bucky." He was basically like family. And she liked that.
Sarah passed the drink to Bucky and watched as the muscles in his arm flexed against his fitted navy short sleeve shirt. His short time of a few months in Louisiana since officially moving into town from New York, during one of the hottest of summers, gave him a tan, and above his flesh arm she could see the paleness there where the sun didn't kiss his skin. "Whoa, Sarah, reign it in," she told herself. "He's your brother's friend, remember. Hands off, honey."
Bucky thanked her before he took a long swig from the glass of tea. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed the red liquid. He had closed his eyes to relish the taste. The sight fascinated Sarah, as she watched as he then smacked his lips and said "Ah." A moment later he placed the glass against his forehead.
Bucky opened his eyes and caught Sarah staring.
"I needed this," he said as he set the half-filled glass down. "The best iced tea in all of Louisiana!"
"I feel like you say that every time."
"It's the truth. It's probably the reason I always stop by," he joked, and she can't help but laugh and shake her head.
"You keep this up and one day, you won't have that tea made for you, Bucky."
"It's made specially for me?" He has a twinkle in his eyes as he said this.
He knew it was. Who else would she make it for? She didn't answer, but simply smiled back. She lifted her glass and took a sip, trying to cool herself. Afterwards she felt a lot more composed. Why she was so nervous around him, and yet so hyper focused when they were alone, was something she hadn't gotten used to in the time she'd known him.
She leaned against the refrigerator and faced him; the cool glass of tea held in her hand.
"Mr. Langston had you drop off a present?"
"Yes, he was adamant you get it. It's in the truck bed outside, a full-size digital piano. He said you'd know what to do with it."
"A piano?" She was surprised by that. Mr. Langston was her old piano teacher for many years before she had gone off to college. Had he heard that his former student no longer played?
It had been years since she did. They had a stand-up piano house for years until it became one of the first things that was sold to make ends meet. Sarah had to sacrifice that artistic hobby if it meant being able to feed her kids.
"Yes, and he was about to leave it at the dock until Sam stopped him and had me help him and bring it here."
"You know you could have just called me, I could have swung by and picked it up," she told him.
"And if I did, you'd still be there at the dock, working at the restaurant and finding some way to stick around."
She shook her head, "Gosh, you sound like Sam. I'm not some workaholic. I know how to swing by my own business to check it out without ending up working a full shift."
Bucky raised a skeptical eyebrow as if to say "Yeah… right." And took another sip of the iced tea she made him. He clearly didn't believe her.
Sarah gave Bucky a twirl and exaggeratingly waved a hand to showcase her outfit from head to toe.
"Does this look like a woman who doesn't know how to relax?"
She found herself burst out laughing as Bucky pretended to look perplexed. His metal hand rested on his chin and his blue eyes squinted ever so slightly, his brow furrowed.
"Hmmm…." He said as he gazed at her. "I don't know. Do you?"
Sarah playfully swatted him on his shoulder and was about to pull away when his arm hand enveloped hers in his.
The warmth of his fingertips ran across her palm and sent happy tingling sensations from her hand and down to her core. Her breath caught on her throat, as she observed him as he traced the lines on her palm. It felt electric, and she relished in his touch and didn't pull away.
She knew he knew she enjoyed it. She was certain of this.
This was what they did.
"Do you play?" He finally asked her, changing the subject. His eyes looked up to meet hers, and he didn't let her hand go and continued to rub the center of her palm with his thumb.
"I used to play the piano… but stopped," she said softly.
"Why'd you stop?"
"I had to take care of my boys, and had to stay afloat," she told him as she closed her fingers around his thumb that was caressing her hand. They stayed holding hands as if it was the most natural and normal thing for them, as Sarah continued, "I had to sell our family piano, among other things, to pay for bills, and put food on the table during the Blip."
"I'm sorry." he said. Sarah could guess he was remembering what happened. She was about to also but decided she didn't want the negative memories to spoil her day.
"There's nothing to be sorry about," she assured him, "It happened but then we were saved. I owe that to you and the others. Otherwise, we wouldn't be here."
He said nothing to this, and she could tell he wanted to say more, but she truly didn't want this to be a somber visit.
She was just glad to see him, whatever the reason. The time they had alone together, just the two of them, especially early on in his visit, was something she cherished.
Sarah gave Bucky's hand a gentle squeeze and pulled him up from his seated position. She beamed him up her best smile, which he returned easily.
"Okay," she said, "let's see this piano you brought me, Mr. Barnes"
~.~.~.~
Bucky never failed to amaze her every time he displayed his superhuman strength. She watched as he eased the 200-pound digital piano from the back of his green pick-up truck with ease, without breaking a sweat.
Within a few minutes the large digital piano was placed in the living room, adjacent to the kitchen area, and where her old piano used to be. They had wiped the dust buildup from the keys and the piano's body. It wasn't brand new, but to Sarah it didn't matter, because someone was kind enough to bring music back to her life.
And it only took a moment for Bucky to ask if Sarah could play him a tune.
"I'm rusty, you know," she told him, "It's been… gosh, 3 years since I played."
They stood shoulder to shoulder in front of the black stand up piano, admiring their work. Bucky lightly bumped her shoulder playfully to get her attention. Sarah turned and looked up at him with a smile.
"So, is that a 'yes'?" He asked with a smirk.
"Yes, but don't say I didn't warn you."
"I'm certain whatever your 'rusty' is, I know you'll do better than what I can do," he tells her. "I think I only know how to find the C note."
She watched him lean over the digital piano, turned it on with a switch and with his left finger pressed the D note. Sarah found herself laughing at the incorrect note in the middle octave.
"Close. But that's not a C, mister," she told him, only to be met with mirthful eyes and a playful shrug.
"See?" He said, "I said I was rusty too."
Sarah urged Bucky to grab a seat. He sat in an armchair in the corner of the room, positioned towards the piano. He leaned back on the chair, his arms resting on the side of the armchair, and his legs stretched forward in front of him.
Sarah grabbed the piano chair nearby which she kept from her previous one. She sat down and tested the wonderful instrument. It was no traditional grand piano, but instead an old Casio Celviano grand digital piano.
The sound of the digital keys filled the room as her fingers flew across the ivory keys in various scales and arpeggios a few times, until the feeling of playing came back to her like riding a bike. She took a deep breath and settled herself, her back straightened and her feet on the pedals.
There was a moment of pause as Sarah took a deep breath in and closed her eyes.
At exhale, she started to play one of her favorite songs she played so many times, she remembered "Most Beautiful" by Elmo Hope. It had been her last and favorite piece of music she was taught by Mr. Langston ended being her favorite throughout the years.
The music filled the room and Sarah had closed her eyes, as the notes came to her from memory. She found herself humming a little and found her body swaying. It was as if the world disappeared, and the beautiful music about love and hope filled the room. She remembered all of the pleasant times, and the joyful feelings that her new life with her brother alive, her two growing boys, a thriving business… and Bucky in her life…
She felt peace.
Until a loud ringing and vibrating buzzing came from her cell phone near her.
It startled her out of the peaceful calm of the music.
The phone stopped ringing for a moment, and Sarah prepared to play again until it rang once more.
She opened her eyes and turned to where Bucky sat, his eyes met hers and he pointed at the top of the piano where she had placed her cell phone. It rang again, the caller ID reading "Charise," her close friend she'd been speaking with before Bucky came to visit.
The same friend who was adamant that her blind date she had set up for Sarah, was meant to be and who was adamant that she should do the "36 Questions" on another date.
To say she had been disappointed with the interruption would be saying it lightly. Sarah had lost herself in the happiness of it, and at the brief relaxation she saw on Bucky's posture, his back and shoulder loosened, and his hands loose above the auto man armrest. She was glad she could bring him that mindful rest and stillness with her music before it was rudely interrupted.
Sarah gave an exasperated sigh, and didn't realize she did until Bucky stood up, stretched and asked
"Is everything okay? Is it the boys?"
She found it touching that he thought of her boys first. He was caring and thoughtful that way.
Luckily it was not the boys. She was certain she wouldn't get any calls especially when her boys were with the Hamilton's boys sleeping over.
Sarah smiled up at him and shook her head "no" and then stood up. She held her phone which rang once again, this time she directed it straight to voicemail and silenced it, before placing it on top of a nearby table lamp.
"It's my friend, Charise, ever determined I call her back about something ridiculous." Her shoulder slumped. "I'm sorry, I think I'll need to hone her back."
"I know it's getting late, I probably should head out," he told her, "I don't want to be a bother."
She touched his arm again and shook her head. "You're not a bother, ever, Bucky, if ever I'd say— "
Her phone rang again, this time vibrating atop the table. Sarah gave Bucky an apologetic look.
"Please," she implored. "Can you give me a moment, let me just get this real quick, and maybe we can finish chatting?" She didn't want him to leave just yet.
Bucky nodded, gave her a reassuring smile and mouthed "I'll be in the kitchen" to her before providing her privacy. Ever the gentleman he wanted for her, seated on the stool in the kitchen, as he finished his iced tea.
~.~.~.~
Sarah picked up the call from Charise, hoping her irritation didn't come across.
"Hey, girl. I hope this isn't about what I think it is," Sarah said.
Charise replied with a sense of urgency, "It is. I had to call you because I think this is really serious."
"Can we do this some other time? I'm really not in the mood to hear about this theory of yours on some 30 questions."
"36 Questions," Charise corrected. "I swear it works and I think you need to try it on with another lucky bachelor! Give it another shot, before you go back to single mama life."
"I'll check them out, I promised. I'm busy right now."
"You always say that and don't bother. How about we look it over together tonight? I already texted you the link to them, again."
"Charise, I promise, I'll look and — "
"And you'll also say you're free this Friday to go dancing, and maybe try them out to an unsuspecting gentleman?"
"I'll think about it," Sarah said.
"Nope, you promise. And you'll come by," Charise said, "and promise you'll try those questions!"
Sarah gave up, "Okay, I promise. I'll try, but no more with Dr. Luke thing. That ship sailed, and please no more blind dates."
Sarah wasn't sure why she felt the need to lower her voice at that part: it was one single blind date and nothing more. She didn't enjoy the date and especially the doctor blind date her best friend set her up with.
'He's exciting, smart and doesn't mind if you have kids,' Charise had told her. 'He's so interesting,' she said.
'Well, you date him then,' Sarah taught wryly.
Charise paused, then said, "Okay, I feel like you're trying to rush me in this convo and end this conversation." There was a pause.
"Charise, honey, you know I love you and our chats. I have to go. I'll call you back after I check the questions."
"Promise?"
"Bye, Charise!"
"Promise, Sarah? Just check it out! 36 questions that lead to love!"
Sarah laughed at the title of the questions.
"36 Questions that lead to love? Charise…" Sarah let out a laugh, what in the world was her friend getting her into. "I thought these were just icebreaker questions. Honey, I think you're reading those Amanda Quick novels too much"
"Nope, they did a study. I swear. It was in the New York Times."
A message popped up on her screen. "Charise Williams has shared with you an article from the New York Times."
"How are you doing this?" Sarah said, finding herself so amused by her friend's determination.
"Promise?"
"Sure, hon."
And with that she hung up and shook her head.
She prayed Bucky hadn't heard any of that.
~.~.~.~
As she returned to the kitchen, she was greeted by Bucky's amuse look.
Of course, he'd likely heard it.
Hello, superhuman strength and senses.
Sarah covered her face in embarrassment, her face flushed. She didn't know if she wanted to laugh or cry or disappear under his bemused gaze. She wished Bucky didn't think any less of her or thought her desperate.
She hoped he heard that there was no Dr. Luke…
And that she wasn't dating anyone.
Then again…
Why did it matter? They were just friends.
Friends told each other this stuff.
Joked about these things, right?
Only friends.
"Please, tell me you didn't hear any of that conversation." She peered through her hands at him, in exaggeration. She uncovered her face and could see a twinkle in his eyes, an amused smirk and he simply kept quiet. "Okay, I'm going to assume you did… but you're just being a gentleman, so you won't admit it."
"You think way too highly of me, Sarah."
"Okay, what'd you hear?"
"36 Questions," he said to her, "and how you promised to do them."
"Yes. It's some list of questions my best friend Charise swears is life changing."
She took a seat on a still next to Bucky. She placed her palm on her cheek and looked at him, studying his face and trying to read it for reactions.
"So," Bucky mirrored her posture, his palm pressed to his cheek. He leaned close to her, until there they were only a nose apart. "When are we answering these questions?"
"We?"
"Yes."
Sarah watched as he glanced at her lips and somehow their distance felt way too close, and yet not close enough.
Uh-oh…. Sarah… be careful.
She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. They flirted, although it often didn't lead to anything direct. That was how it was with them, and yet something felt different here. "Be open to being wooed," she heard her friend's words echo in her mind. Was this the moment, she was going to take the leap and be wooed by a man she'd been pining for since they first met. She had to be careful, so she threaded lightly.
"You know, you don't have to help me," she said. "We know each other already and we don't need questions to get to know each other, right?"
She leaned back and pushed her hair to one shoulder. The motion caused Bucky to glance at her exposed nape, and she caught him lick his lips subconsciously. Oh gosh… his lips… She couldn't stop staring at them, as a wayward thought of how they'd feel against her neck came to mind before she mentally shook herself. Was he checking her out?
"Also," she continued, "It's for single people and for you it's not necessary—"
"I'm single," Bucky interrupted.
Uh-oh.
He smiled at her and she found him way too handsome and felt electric warmth jolt through her as he leaned in close.
"Oh," was all she could get out of her lips.
"And I'd like to know if you'd have dinner with me," he finished.
He reached for her hand and she felt her heartbeat faster, thudded in her chest.
Dinner as friends? A voice in her head asked. Gurl, make sure you're both on the same page.
Bucky placed a kiss at the down of her left hand. It was light and gentle, his gaze not leaving hers, as she felt like the air was knocked out of her.
Okay, clearly not just friends. She swore there was a part of her that wanted to grab him by the shoulder and kiss him. But she doesn't because this wasn't expected.
And she was used to their flirting… But never a point where it would lead to something that seemed like a point of no return for their friendship.
Bucky asked her to dinner and damn it if Sarah felt happy that he did.
"Not just as friends?" She found herself asking out loud, although afterward she wished she hadn't; she hoped she didn't come across like an idiot. She already was not dressed in her element.
"No, not as friends," he assured her, his dark gaze intense. Clearly, he was on a was Bucky asking her in her home clothes, no make-up, a total mess if she wanted to have dinner with him.
"This Friday at 7?" He asked her, as he placed another kiss on her did her best to keep her composure, and her cool, while deep down she wanted to kiss him right then and there.
"Make it 8 and you take me to your favorite spot you've found on your own since moving here." She tells him. She was always curious about what he did in his spare time when not visiting them, helping with the boat, or training with Sam.
He recently moved to his own condo not too far from them and she wondered what he did on the weekends when she didn't see him. She often wondered if he checked out the area without them, to uncover the beauty of Louisiana and the town since he decided to make it his home. She wanted to know more about it, and perhaps these 36 questions might be helpful.
"I'll pick you up at 8 PM."
"Perfect. Make sure you're ready for the most amazing 36 questions of your life." she joked. "And maybe a good beating from my brother when he finds out you're taking me to dinner."
Bucky grinned, "It'll all be worth it, if it means I get to finally spend an evening with a beautiful woman like yourself."
Darn it if Sarah didn't feel wooed, because she absolutely was wooed by James Buchanan 'Bucky' Barnes.
And she liked it.