ITS TUESDAY AND YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS! So this chapter is a little shorter than average but i am planning to make up for that in the next one!
FIY, there is a texting exchange in this chapter. Alba is in Bold and Steve is in Italics.
Manhattan, New York | 1 Week Later
"Jones, how is everything going with the DA?" The young African man a few seats down from Alba spoke up.
"They were being difficult at first, but I think they're coming around to the case." Her boss nodded, satisfied, moved on to the next person at the table.
It was the weekly associate's meeting, where the head of the firm went over all pertinent cases and made sure things were being done correctly. Since Alba was well established as an attorney at the firm, he hardly ever bothered her for updates. But she still insisted on attending the meeting, unlike some of her fellow Senior Associates. Just because she had climbed to a high position didn't mean she was above this.
"Herrera?" Alba's head snapped up to meet the questioning look her boss aimed in her direction. Her cheeks burned as she realized every person in the conference room was staring.
"What?"
"I said, how is the case with Sumner coming along? He giving you any trouble?" The boss looked at her carefully, trying to see if dredging up Marcus's name bothered her. It was obvious that he had already heard the news of the break-up and wanted to make sure she wasn't plotting to kill her ex in his sleep.
Alba met Durand's eye and conjured her most ball-busting tone. "Don't worry, he hasn't been an issue. Besides, I can handle him." The older man grinned encouragingly and moved on to the next unsuspecting junior associate.
She spent the rest of the meeting fidgeting in her seat, resisting the urge to duck out of the conference room and run to the bathroom. For some reason she had the constant, overwhelming urge to pee. It started two days ago, in the night. Now every time she got a good sleep going on, she woke up with the urge to run to the bathroom.
Today she hadn't been too clever, either. If she was smarter she would have picked the seat next to the exit, so that she could sneak off without being noticed. She finally bolted out of her chair when the meeting was declared finished and power walked to the ladies room.
Two floors down on her office floor, Alba found her assistant organizing the mail outside of her office. The older woman smiled kindly as she continued to sort the envelopes in front of her.
"Hi Agnes."
"Hello Ms. Herrera." Alba grinned to herself at the older woman's stubbornness. No matter how many times she requested being called by her first name, the woman never caved. The two ladies walked down the hall to Alba's office.
"Any changes in my schedule?"
"None yet. The DA's office called and asked you get in touch with them to set a date on the Gonzalez trial." Of course the case she was dying to sink her nails into had to get postponed. It didn't help Joanna's cold feet, and it was taking every ounce of Alba's wit and charm to keep the young girl from balking.
"Oh! Something came for you while you were in the meeting. I left it on your desk." The old woman said, grinning widely at her. Alba wondered what her assistant could possibly be referring to. She hadn't ordered any packages lately, and everything pregnancy related had been strictly mailed to her apartment.
Alba opened the door to her office and stopped short. There, sitting prettily on her desk, was the biggest flower arrangement she had ever seen. She had to physically remind herself to close her mouth as she walked over to inspect the arrangement. The flowers spilled out of the huge vase, nearly taking up half of her desk and bursting in different shades of pink.
Agnes laughed and exited her office with a short goodbye, leaving Alba to fangirl over the arrangement in peace. She plucked the small card and ripped it open.
These don't make up for running out last time, but I hope they're a start.
The card didn't need to be signed for her to know who it was from. She stepped back and looked at the arrangement once more, fawning over all the shades of pink when her cell phone dinged.
A face-splitting smile took residence on her face as she read the message from Steve.
Got it yet? She thought about Steve trying to figure out texting and couldn't help teasing.
OMG U CAN TEXT? She only had to wait a second before an annoyed emoji floated in front of her. Alba laughed until her sides were sore and decided to text back just to make sure he wasn't mad.
Just kidding. Yes, I just saw them. I love them, THANK U.
Glad you liked them. I was going to send chocolates but Tony reminded of morning sickness so I chose the safe option.
Alba looked at the flowers again for a second and narrowed her eyes. BTW, all of these flowers are pink. Are you trying to tell me something?
…I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.
She replied immediately. Uh huh.
I just told the flower shop to make something for the most beautiful, stunning, breath-taking woman in New York.
Okay, smooth talker. Turn in down a notch.
Whatever you say, doll.
She hated him. She hated him and his stupid nicknames that kept her distracted during work meetings and client meetings and plain work. How was she supposed to operate knowing that he had just called her a doll? She knew it was a 1940s thing, but still. She barely had time to pull herself together when another incoming text pinged on her phone.
Busy tonight?
No. Why?
Want to have that dinner? I'll leave the phone at home.
Alba couldn't help smiling like a dope as she replied. See you at 7.
Hours later, Alba stood in front of her mirror. She couldn't help the feeling of deja vu as she looked over herself. She wore another one of her dresses, still casual but a little sexier than before. Alba glanced down at the plunging neckline of her dress and nodded approvingly. Her breasts were getting bigger. According to one of her pregnancy books, this was normal. Alba had no idea where the boobs had suddenly come from, but she wasn't complaining.
She heard a muffled sound on the other side of the door and paused. It was only six, Steve wasn't due for another hour. But as she poked her head outside and sure enough, it was a knock.
She took a deep breath before pulling the door open, barely keeping it together when she laid her eyes on her date. Steve was smiling on the other side of the door, but the smile was wiped off when he saw her dress. His eyes lingered on her chest for just a second before he recovered and looked back up at her face. She missed his face. Without thinking twice, stepped in front of him and wrapped her arms around his neck for a hug. He reached around just as fast and held her close, breathing the soft, floral scent of her hair and lingering more than necessary before stepping back.
He stared at her hair, very different than what he was used to seeing. Alba's natural, rambunctious curls had taken over, bouncing all over the place every time she turned this way and that. She noticed her gaze and smoothed a hand nervously over her head as they walked into the apartment.
"It doesn't look bad, does it?"
Steve was quick to answer. "No. It's just different. It looks…sexy." She turned to the kitchen and tried to contain her squeal. Steve Rogers, beefcake supreme, thought she was sexy. She could die happy right now.
The two sat at the open kitchen, chatting quietly. Alba prepped the food while Steve observed from the breakfast bar and asked questions in between.
"So now you're going to chop that?"
"For the last time, yes. All of these veggies have to be chopped. You said you were going to help." He grinned teasingly.
"What, keeping you company here isn't considered helping?"
"Get your ass over here, Steve." Alba growled, brandishing a knife in front of him. He laughed quietly and came to stand next to her, tensing up when she placed the sharp kitchen knife in his hand.
"Just chop it." She instructed, letting him take over the cutting board and watching amusedly as he followed her directions. After a few seconds she took pity on him and decided to help.
"It's easier if your hold the knife correctly. Like this," She tried showing him how to grip the pepper and knife, but her arms couldn't quite reach around him. She struggled for a few seconds before huffing and ducking under Steve's arm, placing her back to his chest so that her hands were wrapped over his.
In Alba's head, this felt like a brilliant idea, but now all she could think about was Steve's solid arms around her and his warm breath fanning over her cheek and he watched her in amusement. Her hands started shaking uncontrollably, and she decided to ditch the idea before accidentally slitting one of their wrists open.
"You know what? On second thought, your technique isn't so bad. So what the veggies are going to be cut too big? It's all the same in the stomach, right?" She said nervously, tapping his big hands twice before moving out of the circle of his arms. But he wouldn't budge. His arms might've well been a steel prison.
"You should show me how to do this, at least." He rumbled quietly. "What, you scared?"
"I'm not scared." She said defensively, taking the knife out of his hands and positioning the pepper in his. Okay, she could do this.
"All you have to do is curl your fingers so you don't chop them off. Like this," She joined their hands and cut slowly and first, then speeding up when he started getting the hang of it. They were almost done when he cried out and snatched his hand away. The knife clattered to the floor as he turned away from her and clutched his hand to his chest.
"Shit! Oh my god, oh my god. Are you okay?" No answer. His shoulders were raising, shaking up and down sporadically. Alba thought he was crying quietly for a minute and almost panicked. Then she heard him. He was trying not to laugh.
Alba put on her most rankled expression and rolled her eyes at him. "You are so annoying, Steve." He gave up trying to be quiet then, letting out a loud belly laugh that filled the apartment. She crossed her arms, having every intention of being mad at Steve for crying wolf, but he wrapped his arms around her and tried to sputter out an apology.
"I'm so…so…sorry!" His apology was followed by another round of laughter. Alba rolled her eyes but giggled a little despite herself, not being able to resist his boyish laugh.
"You shoulda seen your face…it was so funny." He lost it one more time, and this time she joined him. It took the both of them a second to get their laughter under control.
Alba stopped abruptly when she noticed how close Steve was standing. He had her pressed up against the kitchen island, arms caging her on either side. The room was suddenly too quiet and too small with his bright eyes burning into her face. Steve was only inches from her face, and she couldn't help it—she leaned in and kissed him.
It had been weeks since their first—and only—night together. And yet Alba felt like it had only been minutes. Their bodies fit together perfectly as she wrapped her arms around Steve's neck and he gripped her thighs and set her on the kitchen island effortlessly. Once the height difference had been slightly evened out Steve deepened the kiss and leaned Alba back on the counter. She was tearing off his neatly tucked shirt when a ringing interrupted them.
"I thought you left the phone at home." She sighed, shivering when Steve nibbled on the soft skin of her neck.
"I didn't. It's your phone." What? Alba suddenly bolted upright. It was her work cellphone. No one ever called unless…
"Something's wrong." She picked up the phone and answered the call without looking.
"This is Alba."
"Ms. Herrera? It's Agnes. I got a call from the U.S. Marshals office. Joanna is missing."
DUN DUN DUNNNNN
Sooo question of the week: Was it time these two kissed already or going too fast? btw in my mind Steve totally known cooking basics but pretends not to so he can mess with Alba lol. Also, what's up with that pink flower arrangement? Coincidence or is Steve really trying to tell Alba something? As always I can't wait to hear back from your guys!