I woke up late the next day feeling refreshed, a smile still on my face. Glimpsing outside, I saw it was a cloudy day. The impending storm did nothing to disrupt my mood. I laid in bed and found myself thinking about Bucky. I needed to figure out what to cook tonight. I would also need to make a trip to the store to pick up a few things today. Peering out the window again, I saw the big rain clouds hanging in the sky. Hopefully they would hold off until I finished my trip to the market.

I jumped out of bed and headed to my bathroom to shower and shave my legs. After toweling myself off, I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I debated on drying my hair and straightening it. If I got caught in the rain, it was going to curl up anyway and I would still have to redo it before Bucky came over tonight. I opted to let it curl up and dry on its own while I planned my menu for tonight's dinner.

I sat down at my laptop and began searching through my recipes, looking for something that sounded good. I wasn't sure what kind of food Bucky liked but I figured he wasn't a picky eater. I finally decided on something simple. Chicken fried steak with homemade mashed potatoes and white gravy. It was something I had cooked many times before and I knew it would be easy enough.

I pulled on a pair of jeans and a black sweater and padded back into the bathroom to look at my hair. It had dried naturally into loopy curls that bounced down my back. Jill had always envied my curls, saying they made me look like a sexy vixen. I suddenly remembered what tomorrow was: The fitting! I was going to see Jill tomorrow!

Jill had called me months back to tell me that her and Dave were getting married. I was happy for her of course, but deep down there was a twinge of jealously. Jill and Dave had met in college, at the same party where I had met Michael. Since I had moved away, we didn't get to see nearly as much of each other as I would like but she still asked me to be a bridesmaid nonetheless.

She had called me last week and begged me to drive the 3 hours back home so I could be fitted for my bridesmaid dress. I had already been contemplating taking a vacation from work so I had agreed to drive the three hours home the following Monday. The plan was to spend Monday catching up and then Tuesday I would accompany her to the dress shop to try on my dress. I didn't plan on driving back home until Wednesday evening. I had almost forgotten entirely about our plans.

That means you won't see Bucky again for 3 whole days!

I felt myself frown at that thought. Well, I guess I better make the most of tonight and enjoy the time I can spend with him. I applied a bit of eye makeup and took one last look in the mirror. Maybe I should try wearing my hair curly more often, it had gotten long enough now that it didn't poof out as much. I shrugged at myself in the mirror and turned to leave the bathroom. I slid on my boots and grabbed my purse.

The one thing I loved about living in this neighborhood was that there were so many shops, restaurants, and small markets around, all within walking distance. I hardly ever needed to drive my car anywhere. I stepped outside my building and turned left to walk the two blocks to the market.

I waved to the owner when I entered the store and told him good morning. I gathered everything I would need to make dinner and a few other necessities.

Wine?! Sure, why not?

I got to the counter and after paying for my purchases the clerk handed me my bag. As I was walking out the door, I heard him tell me to have a nice day.

"Thank you, you too" I turned my head to shout as I stepped back outside. I didn't see the two joggers I was stepping out in front of until it was almost too late. Luckily they both came to a stop just seconds before colliding into me. I was so embarrassed, I felt my cheeks turning pink and I lowered my head in embarrassment, unable to look at them…hoping they would forget the clumsy blonde and go on their way.

"Ma'am, are you okay?" I heard one ask me with concern in his voice. I sneaked a peek and saw the other guy was bent over resting his hands on his knees to catch his breath.

I kept my head down and muttered that I was fine.

Please just go away.

"Eden?" said a familiar voice.

Bucky?

I looked up to Bucky raise himself upright and look at me in surprise. His hair was tied back allowing me to see the striking features in his face…his strong jawline, the small dimple in his chin, and his bright blue eyes looking down at me in surprise. I stared at him for a second taking him in. It was obvious him and the other guy had been out for a run. He was wearing sweat pants, a sweat shirt, and running shoes. I glanced at the other guy.

Shit! It's Captain America. Great, you almost collided with an American hero.

He smiled and nodded his head at me, "Your Eden…it's nice to meet you….I'm Steve" he reached out his hand.

I shook it and smiled, "Of course I recognize you. It's nice to meet you as well. I'm sorry for being so clumsy…I should really watch were I'm going."

I felt my purse slipping off my shoulder and instinctively let go of the bag with one hand to tug it back onto my shoulder. The contents in the bag shifted and I felt it begin to tumble out of my other hand. With lightning speed, Bucky grabbed the bag from my hands.

Great Eden, you sure know how to make an impression.

"Thanks" I stuttered.

He handed the bag back to me and I felt one hand linger on mine for a moment. I looked up to see him staring intently at me. He reached out to brush a curl that had fallen in my face. His fingertips grazed my cheek slightly as he moved it away. My heart felt like it was about to explode out of my chest. I couldn't take my eyes off of him.

I heard Steve clear his throat and I broke eye contact with Bucky to glance his way again.

I realized that I had been gazing up at Bucky for longer than what was probably normal and it was obviously awkward for Steve.

"Well I should get these things home" I said, motioning to the bag in my hands.

"Perhaps the three of us can get together sometime soon Eden, I would love to get to know more about you" he added. I grinned and nodded my head yes.

Steve smiled and started jogging in place, ready to head in the opposite direction I was going.

He glanced at Bucky and grinned, "You ready Buck?"

"Go ahead Steve, I'll catch up with you in a sec" he replied.

"Yeah, you hope you can catch up with me" Steve called back as he headed down the street.

Bucky smirked and called back, "Jerk!"

I heard Steve shout "Punk" as he made his way down the block.

The exchange between the two was nice to see. It was obvious Steve cared about Bucky and vice versa.

Bucky set his eyes upon me and smiled.

"So, you missed me so much you had to hunt me down and throw yourself in front of me during my morning jog?"

My mouth dropped open in surprise.

Did he really just say that? That cocky little….whatever Eden, you know it was adorable.

"Hey now, you're the one that ran up on me buddy" I retorted back, sticking my tongue out at him.

He laughed again, a genuine laugh that was music to my ears.

"Your hair is…" he motioned to my curls

"…a mess, I know" I finished for him.

"I was going to say beautiful actually" he said.

I felt the grin on my face widen. I looked down at the bag of groceries in my hand and knew I really did need to get back. I had meat in the bag that needed to be put in the refrigerator.

"I really should get these things home" I said.

Bucky nodded, "I'll see you at 7 sharp"

He turned and started jogging after Steve, who was nowhere in sight.

I turned the opposite direction and headed back to my apartment. I turned back once to see Bucky glancing back and waving at me.

When I reached my apartment, I put my groceries up and started to tidy up my apartment. I heard my cell phone ring and I rushed to answer it.

Maybe it's Bucky!

It wasn't Bucky, but I was still glad to see it was Jill.

"Hey girl!" I answered.

"EDEN! I can't wait to see you tomorrow" she shouted. I pulled the phone back away from my ear and laughed. She told me all about the plans she had made for us. Jill was a busy bee and she couldn't stand to sit still for very long. It sounded like the next three days were going to be exhausting. We chatted some more before saying our goodbyes. I promised to call her before I left to let her know I was on my way. I sat the phone down and began to walk away when I heard a text message alert.

Maybe that's Bucky!

I rushed back over to grab my phone to check the message.

Michael: I'm coming over to see you tonight, we need to talk about us.

Us?

I felt like throwing the phone at the wall. Who did Michael think he is? He can't call me out of the blue after a year and a half to insist on talking about US! I wasn't just mad, I was furious. I didn't want to ever see him again; I hated him for what he had done to me. I certainly didn't want him showing up at my apartment tonight with Bucky here. I hadn't told Bucky anything about Michael yet, I wasn't trying to hide it…it just hadn't come up in conversation.

I typed out my response furiously and pushed the send button.

Eden: I don't want to see you Michael…ever. Don't come over to my house and don't ever contact me again.

I threw the phone down and walked away.

BUCKY POV

I woke up to the feeling of something being thrown down on top of me. I opened my eyes to see my running shoes laying on my chest. Steve was standing over me grinning.

"Get up lover boy, it's time for our run"

I growled at him and sat up. He was already dressed and jogging around the apartment.

That's Steve for you…always cheerful, even in the morning.

I got up and threw on my running clothes and tied my hair back. Once I got my shoes on we headed to the park for our warm up. 10 laps later and we had barely broken a sweat. Warm up was over; it was time to really get going. We exited the park and headed on our normal run around the city. It was nice running with Steve, he was a fast runner…maybe even faster than me. It was always a nice challenge to try and out do him.

"So are you excited?" he asked, picking up the pace.

"Excited about what Steve" I asked, pushing myself to match his speed.

"Dinner tonight, with Eden"

Her face popped into my head and I slowed down to a jog. Steve matched my pace and glanced in my direction.

"What's wrong Buck"

I shook my head, "I don't know Steve…what if I mess this whole thing up with her man. I don't deserve a girl like her"

Steve shook his head, "Your wrong Bucky, you deserve a girl exactly like her"

It was that moment, a girl stepped out of the market and right in front of us. Luckily we both saw her and came to a halt before slamming into her and knocking her down. I bent down to catch my breath, annoyed that we had to stop. I heard Steve ask her if she was okay.

"I'm fine" I heard a familiar voice mutter.

I glanced up and looked at the young woman.

It was Eden.