First Day Back To Work
(Iris POV)
While getting ready for work I'm trying everything to cover up my chest so the girls don't see my stitches and ask questions. I'm putting make-up on my cheek, it's healing very nicely but is 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 look in the mirror after I'm done and take a big breath.
"Okay Luna, here goes nothing." I exhale while Luna raised her ears and turned her head to side.
The second I walk in some guy next to the door smacks me on my ass, what a great way to start! I just close my eyes, compose myself and 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 asks 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 slugged him." She pointed out.
"I'm fine, I just don't want to deal with assholes tonight is all." I quickly come up with trying not to show that I'm upset.
I was working for a few hours and all night I'm growing more terrified that I'm going to see Tall and Short Guy again, after all the cops hadn't found 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 responded confused.
"Oh right, sorry." I rub my forehead.
"Are you sure your okay?" She asked me.
"Yeah, I'm fine, I guess I am still a little loopy from being sick this week." I replied.
"You want one of us to stay with you?" Amber offered, I want to say yes but if I did they would know something was up so I take a deep inner breath.
"No, you know I'll be fine."
"Are you sure?" Renee asked me again.
"Yes, positive...have fun." I smile as best as I can.
After they leave I take a deep breath and try to continue to act normal with fake smiles and all. Luckily most of the male patrons had left, just a few women and some couples, thank god! About 11:30 the last person left or at least I thought he was going to be the last patron, I had 30 minutes left until I could lock the door and close up. This guy suddenly walks in and I'm getting a few flashbacks but again I don't want to show it. He asked for a drink and I pour it for him.
"Can I have some peanuts?" He asked as he looked me up and down, I give him a quick smile and turn around to get another package.
I do not want to turn back around, I act like I can't find them for a few minutes to kill time. When I finally do turn back around Steve's sitting next to the guy. He startled me and I breathe in relief, "hi." I blurt out. Man he's quiet, I didn't even hear the bell chime at the front door.
"Hey...hey." He spoke to me and the other guy, I gave the guy the peanuts.
"Can I get you something?" I ask him trying to treat him like any costumer.
"Uh yeah, just a standard beer." While I'm pouring him his drink the other guy put money on the table and left.
"Thank you," I quietly breathed after a few seconds.
"No problem."
"What are you doing here?" I ask him.
"Just here for a beer." He answered with a smile as he holds up his glass and takes a drink.
"So...no other reason?" I question with a raised eyebrow.
"Nope." He denies and we both know that he's lying, he gives me a wink and that puts a smile on my face and my stomach flutter a little. "Can I walk you to your car after you close up?" I nod my head quickly.
He stayed with me until I closed, in fact he helped me clean up and it was actually a lot of fun, we just put on some music from the jukebox and even though he didn't really know the songs he would bob his head to them, it was rather cute. "Thanks again." I smile as we get to my car, "I was trying so hard not to freak out...I guess I failed miserably."
"Your welcome and no you did very well in fact." He replied softly, I can tell there's something else on his mind and he exhaled. "I actually wanted to apologize for last night. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
"No, you didn't." I responded a little too quickly, I'm a little embarrassed at how fast I said that. "...It's okay."
I'm starting to get into my car until he spoke and that made me stop dead in my tracks. "Listen, I got this extra ticket 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's starting to say...I can tell he's so nervous, his face is turning red. I have to admit he looks so cute all flustered.
"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 with a grin.
"Okay then." I replied as I got into my car and left.
(Steve POV)
Steve couldn't believe he messed up so bad. He kept thinking about the line he crossed. Here she finally called and asked him for help which he never thought she would do, she was being very nice, having great conversations and getting to know each other, just having a good time and he had to go and kiss her cheek...almost her lips 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?"
"Nothing, just working out like I always do." He began unwrapping his hands.
"Yeah but the only time your out of breath is when your in deep thought...what's going on, for real?" She asks him seriously.
"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" so she decided not to push him.
"Well, I got a dilemma," she started to say, he looked her confused. "I got these tickets but I can't go but I don't want them to go to waste, so you take them." She offered 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 suggested starting to walk off.
"You can't!" She very quickly blurted out. "I mean, I already asked her and she is really busy and this is something you need to see, it's 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...and plus 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 7 days since she was attacked and those guys are still out there! He took the tickets from Natasha and showered before heading to the bar. When he looked in the window of the bar door he saw one guy, he seemed to be okay but he did notice him checking her out and he did not like that at all! He could tell how tense she was and he did not like the way this guy was making her feel! So he thought he would just play it cool when he sat down and it all worked out perfectly.
He instantly saw the look on her face when she saw him and that made him really smile inside...she was happy to see him! After helping her clean the bar and walked her to her car he was so nervous asking her to the musical, he took a deep breath and just went for it...well she helped him out a little bit. He was so excited to go to the theater with her...he just had to remember this was not a date!
Natasha is playing matchmaker! Was she sublet at all?
