The evening was turning out to be perfect.

I had to say, watching Bucky chivalrously come to my rescue had been something I would never forget.

After we returned to my apartment, I began searching for a movie to watch.

What would Bucky be in the mood for? Funny? Romance? Action?

That's when I saw it, The Conjuring. I had bought it a month ago after hearing a raving review from a client. I had never gotten the courage to watch it though. I know, I know. I'm a grown woman. But I had a tendency, after watching scary movies, to think way too much on them until I would finally freak myself out so much I would be unable to sleep. I glanced back at Bucky with a smile on my face. He looked like a guy who could protect me from a few monsters.

Stop it Eden! You said FRIEND…remember?

I threw the box to Bucky so he could see what I had chosen.

"I haven't seen this one yet" I said as I popped it in my Blu ray player, "I heard it was really scary but I didn't want to watch it alone in the dark"

He glanced up at me and I jokingly asked if he was afraid of scary movies.

"No"

"Great, so I can use your shoulder to hide my eyes at all the scary parts then" was my response. I headed back to my bedroom to change out of my clothes. I discarded my jewelry onto my dresser and began to undress. I threw my clothes into the hamper and searched my drawers for some more comfortable clothes. I slipped on my yoga pants and grabbed a tank top.

I saw Bucky notice my change of clothes as I walked back into the living room.

I shrugged my shoulders, "I like to be comfortable when I watch movies"

I couldn't wait another second to eat….I was starving. I scarfed down two giant slices and felt ready to pop. Bucky ate everything else; he must have been starving too. I remembered during our long conversation earlier that he said his body worked differently than other people…a faster metabolism I think is how he explained it.

As he finished the last slice, I admired his body…he was in excellent shape. I remembered when I had placed my hands on his chest earlier on the street. I had let my hands linger there.

Admit it Eden, the thought had crossed your mind again…you wanted to rub your hands up and down his waist….No! Bad girl!

I got up to throw away the trash before we watched the movie and I teased him about not being able to stay in fantastic shape forever, to which he replied, "Yes I can, I'm a super solder, remember?"

I giggled as I walked back into the kitchen. On my way back, I flipped off every light switch until I finally made a running leap onto the sofa in excitement of watching the movie.

It was exactly what I hoped for. Lots of scary parts, I loved it. I realized though, a quarter of the way through it, that I had ulterior motives for picking this movie. Each time a scary part would happen I would grab onto Bucky's hand for dear life. It was warm. I would hold on to it until it no longer seemed appropriate and then let go. Each time I reached for his hand, I would scoot closer, trying not to be so obvious. The desire to be next to him was overpowering.

By the middle of the movie, I had gotten exactly what I set out for. I was snuggled up to him and I felt his arm wrap around me.

Never forget this moment Eden, it's PEFRECT!

It was hard to concentrate on the movie after that. He smelt so good and his body was warm. I felt complete. That was the only word I could use to describe it. I had known this man for one day…one single day and already I felt closer to him than any other person I had ever met.

The movie ended and I moved to grab the remote to pause it. The room was still completely dark except the light coming from the television screen. I wanted to curl back up and enjoy his body for the rest of the evening.

Just do it Eden, lay back down and enjoy it for as long as you can.

I laid my head back on his chest and threw left arm around his waist. He didn't flinch away. We sat there for a long time together, in the dark.

I finally whispered his name.

"Yes?" he answered.

"You're a good person to watch a scary movie with…and you smell nice" I added.

I smiled when I heard him say "Thank you"

The beep of my phone alerting me I had received a text message drew a groan from my throat. Glancing at the clock, I saw it was 9:00pm. Who would be texting me at this hour on a Saturday night? My parents were usually in bed at this hour and would always call me rather than text. My best friend Jill from back home would be out with her fiancé this late at night. A client maybe? I got up and stretched my arms to the sky and felt my shirt rise up.

I dug in my purse until I found my phone and clicked on the message. I was shocked to see who it was from.

Michael: Eden, I miss you. Can we get together and talk?

How dare he? Who does he think he is?

Michael and I had been broken up for a year and half. Did he honestly think I wanted anything to do with him after I walked in on him cheating on me? Why would he pick today, of all days, to message me. This night was supposed to be perfect and he is ruining it.

Don't let him Eden. Calm down. Don't let Bucky see how upset you are. You can get it together and still salvage the night.

I closed my eyes. I could do this. I felt sick to my stomach but as I turned around to face Bucky's gaze I put a smile on my face and swallowed hard. There was concern in his eyes. I'm sure he was wondering who the message was from but I didn't offer an explanation.

When he asked if I was okay, I could only respond "Yep" I was dangerously close to losing it. Michael's betrayal had been hard on me. He was the only person, up until that point in my life, that I had opened up to. It had taken me months to get over it.

And here he is, back to ruin your life again.

I placed the phone into my purse and walked back over to join Bucky on the couch. I didn't snuggle back up to him. I was too confused…all these old feelings came rushing back and I was doing my best to sort through them.

Bucky announcing it was late and that he should go, drew me out of my daze.

Don't let him go Eden. Don't let Michael ruin this perfect night.

I hesitated. I didn't want Bucky to go but I knew it was too early in our friendship for him to see me like this. I didn't want to scare him off. I nodded in agreement.

I asked for his phone number…he gave me his and I gave him mine.

"Thanks for spending time with me today Bucky…and for telling me everything"

He shrugged his shoulders and I saw a smirk form at the corner of his mouth, "Thanks for not kicking me out of your house once I finished telling you everything."

I stood there staring at him. He wished me goodnight and started walking away from me. This stranger from the bench had affected me so deeply and there he was, walking away.

A hug Eden…you need one last hug from him tonight…run after him.

"Bucky" I called out his name. He turned around to see me, a confused look in his eyes.

When I reached him, I wrapped my arms around him and whispered into his chest a thank you.

"For what?" he asked.

Being in his arms brought a smile to my face.

I told him truthfully, "For being on that bench last night"

I let go of him and walked back to my apartment. When I reached the door, I turned to see him standing in the hallway where I left him. I smiled and entered my apartment.

After I shut the door, I leaned against it and grinned. I heard my phone beep again…another text message. I sighed.

I grabbed the phone, not looking at it, and turned out all the lights. I made sure my front door was locked and headed to my bedroom. After washing my face, I jumped into the bed and finally pulled my phone out to see the message.

Michael: Call me tomorrow! I have to see you.

After staring at the words for several moments, I deleted the message. I wasn't going to let Michael have any possible hope that I would ever speak to him, much less see him again.

I laid my phone on the nightstand and pulled the covers up over me. My thoughts drifted to Bucky. I wanted to remember everything…how it felt when he held my hand on the way to the restaurant, his laugh, the rise and fall of his chest during the movie. I smiled to myself. I picked up my phone again and searched for his name. After typing in the message, I hit send and laid the phone on my stomach, hoping he would reply quickly.

...xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx...

I made my way back to Steve's apartment. When I walked through the door, Steve looked up from the files he was reading and smiled.

"You must be losing your touch Bucky, it's still early" he smiled.

I eased down into the recliner and glanced his way. I was happy how the day had went….up until the end when she had gotten that message that had upset her so much. I only felt better about leaving when I heard call my name and rush down the hall to hug me.

I told Steve everything that had happened that day. He sat there smiling and nodding at me encouragingly. When I got to the part about the mysterious text message, he asked "Who do you think it was?"

I shook my head " I don't know, but it upset her. I figured she needed some time alone, so I left"

"Well Bucky, I think you did the right thing. Are you going to see her again tomorrow?"

I shrugged my shoulders, "I don't know…she didn't say anything. Should I call her tomorrow?"

We debated back and forth on what I should do…call her…wait for her to call…give it a couple of days and then call…on and on it went.

Before we were able to make a decision, my cell phone beeped. A text message. No one ever texted me…except for Steve and he was sitting right in front of me.

I pulled my phone out of the pocket and my heart soared.

Eden: Are you busy tomorrow?

I looked up at Steve. "It's her, she wants to know if I'm busy tomorrow." I told him.

He laughed and shook his head, "Well are you going to answer her or make the lady wait?"

I looked back down at the phone and typed out a response before hitting send.

Did that seem a bit cocky? No

I had bits of pieces of memories about various girls from my past. I remember pursuing them and being pursued. Maybe this was the true Bucky trying to resurface. I smirked and waited for her response.

...xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx...

EDEN POV

My phone beeped again and I excitedly looked at the message I had received.

Bucky: Miss me already? No I don't have any plans for tomorrow.

I laughed out loud. Did he really just ask that? I smiled…maybe Bucky wasn't the reserved quiet guy I thought he was. I needed to learn a little bit more about Bucky before he became the Winter Soldier.

How do you respond Eden? Do you tell him you've been thinking about him nonstop since he left?

I typed out a response quickly.

Eden: Maybe. Dinner at my place tomorrow? 7:00?

Bucky: Okay. This time I get to pick out the movie.

Eden: Deal!

Bucky: See you at 7:00…goodnight

Eden: Goodnight…and btw, the answer is yes…I did miss you!

I smiled as I sent the last message and laid my phone back down on my bedside table. Tomorrow couldn't get here soon enough. I feel asleep with a smile on my face.