"Peggy, hello? Say something." I sighed.
The line was silent for a while before I heard her laughing. Why in the world was she laughing? Nothing about this was funny once so ever.
"And? Honestly Maria, you woke me up to tell me something I've known since Howard's accident? I wanted to hear about the date!" She exclaimed.
I could tell even over the phone she had a ridiculously smug grin across her face right about now, and I disliked her for it.
"It was lovely, and aren't you the one who told me not to date him? Here you are now all not surprised." I sighed.
The man was a walking womanizer and mess to say the least. Not to mention he was far too old for me, the list went on and on and my mind was begging for my someone to talk my heart out of following for him, and Peggy wasn't helping.
"I was, but he genially likes you Maria. I would talk anyone else out of it. If I thought you were just another one-night stand, I would tell you to stop. Howard Stark doesn't take woman on dates Maria, if he does, he doesn't leave them alone for the night." Peggy explained.
What if that's what he wants me to think? I was scared, scared to admit I had feelings for him, and scared to let myself believe I could be anything more than another one of his girls. I wouldn't allow myself to be that girl. I wanted to tell myself I would allow myself to fall for him, but that was a lie.
"What if he's playing that? I don't want to get hurt, Peggy." She said softly.
It was silent for a moment, and I knew it was late and she probably wanted to go back to sleep, and not deal with me and all my Howard issues.
"He's not, I've known him a long time Maria. To be honest you made his week by just going out with him. He called me five times asking what he should wear. He cares about you, now it's late."
I listened to what she said, and tried to take it to heart. I wanted to believe her I did, but his reputation wasn't making it the easiest thing in the world to just trust him.
"Okay, sorry. Night Peg, see you tomorrow?" I asked with a grin.
I heard her laughing on the other end of the phone, and I couldn't help, but laugh alongside her.
"Yes, you will. Night Maria, sweet dreams about Howard."
I rolled my eyes before hanging up. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding before I headed to bed. The fact it was so late at night was finally hitting me, and it wasn't long before I feel asleep once I crawled into the bed.
I woke up to the sun streaming through the window and the phone ringing. I sighed heavily as throw the blankets off me. I didn't bother looking at the clock as I walked into the kitchen to grab the phone.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Why good morning sleeping beauty, nice of you to answer the phone finally."
Honestly last night felt like a dream, so hearing Howard's voice calling me on the phone kind of brought it all back. It wasn't a dream, and the stupid butterflies came back.
"Morning, how long have you been calling exactly? Some of us like to sleep Mr. Stark." I sighed.
I heard him laughing and I was expecting a smartass comment about the reason why I needed to sleep, but shockingly it didn't come.
"This is only the second time. For what it's worth if I knew you were asleep, I wouldn't have called. However, I was wondering, what are you doing tonight?"
I sighed before shrugging my shoulders, I honestly needed to catch up on paperwork, but I knew he wouldn't believe it if I said it.
"I do have work to do today."
"Well if the workaholic isn't working, I think you shouldn't be either. Would you like to go swimming?"
Out of all the things, I didn't think going swimming was one of them. We were just becoming friend's, and the womanizer was asking me swimming?
"Howard, I honestly don't feel conferrable swimming with you but if you want to do a movie or something." I suggested.
"I was going to behave Maria. Peggy already has threatened me if I don't. If you want a movie though, we can do a movie."
I nodded softly. A movie sounded more conferrable to say the least. I was going to stick with that, even though my head was screaming at me that we shouldn't be going on another date at all.
"Yes, I would prefer the movie. As much as I would love to keep chatting. I gotta get ready for work, Mr. Stark."
He laughed and I couldn't hide the smile coming onto my face at the sound of him laughing on the other end of the phone.
"Well I'll see you at work Ms. Collins."
"indeed Mr. Stark." I replied.
I hung up the phone and rushed to get into the shower and quickly get ready. I knew at this point; it would be a miracle if I wasn't running late or already late. It was all Howard's fault though, if Peggy asked. Which it's Peggy, so I doubt she would.