Chapter 2
Stella
I arrive at Wanda and Nat’s apartment almost exactly ten minutes later. As soon as I knock on the door, they pull me inside.
“Okay, so we have two outfits picked out for you,” Wanda says.
“Both black, obviously,” Nat continues. They often finished each others sentences or thoughts, they were practically sisters, “this one is super cute,” she holds out high waisted black ripped skinny jeans with a black bralette and a long sleeve sheer drop top with black polka dots.
“Or this one,” Wanda says as she swapped the top for a black lace body suit that criss-crossed in the front and plunged well down to the sternum. They were both super cute and I wasn’t sure which one to choose.
“Where exactly are we going? I’m not sure of the setting, so I don’t know what vibe I’m going for,” I tell them honestly.
“We’re going to an after party,” Nat says almost immediately.
“An after party?” I raise brow, they both nod. “An after party for what?”
“For a band,” Wanda said.
“What band?” I cross my arms over my chest. Since when do they know any bands personally?
“The Barbershop Quartet,” they both say in unison. The Barbershop Quartet was a hard rock band that Nat and Wanda were both huge fans, so I’ve heard their music before. I’m not surprised they found their way into an afterparty of one of the biggest bands in the world at the moment, but I was definitely curious how they got the invite.
“And how did you get the invite to an after party?” I ask them, my eyes going back and forth between theirs.
“We happen to know them,” Wanda says quickly
“You know them?” My eyes have to be bulging from my head at this point.
“We kinda grew up with them, but it had been years since we’ve seen them. We talk every so often. I texted Bucky when I saw they were in town on their IG page and asked him why he didn’t let me know they were in town. He told me I should bring Wanda and any other friends I wanted to the after party,” Nat tells me.
“Who the hell is Bucky?” I keep hearing this name but I have no idea who this person is.
“James,” Nat and Wanda say in unison again. Oh no, absolutely not. It's bad enough they know the random, handsome stranger I've been drooling over for hours but they can't expect me to show up at his after party after meeting him this afternoon.
“There’s no way I can go, I can’t just show up at an after party, he’ll totally know I told you guys about him! That thought is mortifying.”
“Not necessarily, They have a show tonight and it’s Steve’s birthday too, so they’re doing this huge thing.” Wanda backs Nat up.
“Oh, yeah. He bought quite a bit from me earlier for tonight. He mentioned it was his best friend’s birthday.” I reminisced on the way his smile lit my entire body on fire.
“What all did he buy?” Wanda asks
“Three apple pies, a gallon of vanilla ice cream, and a pint each of pumpkin and strawberry.”
“That fucker was going to invite us anyway,” Nat laughs, “What a twat pretending he wasn’t going to see us while he was in town.” Nat shows her love aggressively. She’s feisty, strong, and speaks her mind but when she loves, she loves with her entire heart.
“So what’s it gonna be, Stell?” Wanda asks pointing to the outfits. I look at both of them before turning back to the outfits they picked out for me.
“This one.” I point to the outfit I want to wear to see James for the second time today.
An hour later we’re in the back of a cab on our way to the after party venue. I kept my hair in the same messy bun I had it in all day except I pulled a few curls down to frame my face then threw on a quick smokey eye to match the lace body suit. I decided to borrow Nat’s combat boots since mine were at my apartment. I wasn’t as nervous now as I was an hour ago, that may have been thanks to the two shots of tequila and couple hits of a dab pen Nat supplied me with. I had an extremely high tolerance for tequila so the two shots helped ease the nerves just enough.
“I’m so excited!” Wanda did a little dance in her seat, “its been so long since we’ve seen them.”
“How long has it been now?” Nat asks, “ten years?”
“Almost ten,” Wanda says, “Steve, Scott, and Sam moved to LA right while Buck went to the army after high school and we moved here to Marvel City for college then we saw them a few times up until we were about 27. Buck had finally finished his contract and life started taking over.”
“That’s right,” Nat nods in agreement.
“I hope James doesn’t think I’m stalking him,” I chuckle.
“He doesn’t even know we’re friends, Stell. Plus I texted him before you even saw him, so if anything he’ll think I invited you when he invited Wanda and me.” Nat smiles as she grabs my hand, giving it a squeeze for reassurance.
“I didn’t even know what the lead singer of The Barbershop Quartet looked like, hell I don’t even know what any of the band members look like,” I let out a laugh.
“I don’t know if I remember what any of them look like either, to be honest, it’s been so long,” Wanda joked and we all laughed.
When we arrive at the venue I’m intrigued to see it’s quiet outside. I was expecting loud music, a crowd of people waiting outside to get inside with the band, but there was no one waiting, no loud music, just a building with a few security guards out front. We make our way to the entrance and we’re stopped by the younger security guard. He’s tall, handsome, blonde hair with dark eyes, and a muscular build like a GI Joe figurine.
“Name?” He asks.
“Natasha Romanoff, Wanda Maximoff, plus one,” Nat tells him.
“Do you have an ID, Miss Romanoff?”
“Of course,” Nat pulls out her ID and shows him.
“Thank you Miss Romanoff, you ladies are all good to go. Follow the hallway down until you reach a set of double doors, the code is 107.” he smiled ever so slightly at Nat.
“Thank you, sir,” Nat winks at him and I hold my giggle in until we're inside.
“He was cute, Nat,” Wanda whispers.
“So cute!” I chime in.
“Maybe I’ll ask Buck for his number,” she winks at us and we all giggle, linking arms as we walk down the hallway. I’ve only known Nat and Wanda for seven years, but they're like the older sisters I never had. They wandered into the bakery one day when my parents still owned it and I was only working part time during university. Even though they were ten years older than me, we all hit it off that day and have been inseparable ever since.
As we make our way down the hallway, we hear loud thumping noises, like bass turned up as loud as it could be, coming from a soundproof room.
“What did he say the code was again?” I ask as we reach the door.
“107,” Nat and Wanda say together. I punch the code in and the doors unlocked, releasing the full volume of the bass we heard walking through the hallway.
“Woah,” all of us say in unison. Flashing lights everywhere, people dancing, drinking, having the time of their life. Since it was an invite only after party, there was no VIP section, but there was a big group of people gathered around a few couches.
“Look! I think that’s Bucky over there,” Wanda points to the couches.
“Lets go find out!” Nat grabs Wanda and I by our hands, suddenly I’m nervous again.
“Nat? Wanda?” James says standing from the couch, towering over the group of people. He makes his way through the small crowd, his grey t shirt from earlier has been replaced with a white t shirt. He’s donning black jeans with black lace up boots and half of his long hair has been pulled into a bun on the low crown of his head. He looks so good.
“Bucky!” Nat and Wanda make their way over to him, each exchanging a long, loving embrace. Although it had been a decade since they last saw each other, you can tell their love for each other was still there.
“Who’s your friend over there?” I overhear James ask, as our eyes met his slightly widened with realization, “Stella, is it?” He asks, extending his hand to me.
“Yes,” I say calmly, smiling as my place my hand in his.
“Here I was thinking I would never be able to give my thanks again for saving my ass,” he raises my hand to his lips, placing a light kiss on my knuckles. I can feel my heart growing a pair of wings, ready to take flight from my chest right into the sky, but I keep a simple smile on my face.
“Here I was thinking I would never be able to give my thanks in person for the generous tip I received earlier,” I raise a brow at him, keeping my hand in his as long as he allows.
“You were extremely helpful and I could tell the moment I stepped into the shop those would be the best sweets I would ever have in my life.” He raises a brow back, almost like he was challenging me. I feel the heat rise to my cheeks and my smile widen.
“And? Were they the best sweets you’ve ever had in your life?” I challenge him back.
“Absolutely,” a full tooth grin plasters across his face and I could feel my heartbeat pumping through my entire body.
“Nat! Wanda!” I hear a voice booming to the left of me, making me jump slightly. James pulled me closer to him, our hands still interlocked.
“Steve!” Nat and Wanda say in unison. I look up at James as Nat and Wanda were catching up with the man I had just been informed of as Steve. James’ eyes held a fire in them, like I could easily catch alight staring into them. James let go of the hold on my hand as he walked over to Steve, whispering something into Steve's ear and Steve’s head immediately shot over to me, James patted Steve on the back as he pulled away with a smile.
“So you’re the mystery baker?” Steve said with a smile.
“The one and only, I suppose,” I step forward to shake Steve’s hand, “I’m Stella.”
“Nice to meet you, Stella, I’m Steve. I have to say I’m impressed by your apple pie, I haven’t had one as good as yours since my grandma passed away.”
“Thank you, Steve, that's truly the best compliment. The recipe belonged to my great great grandmother. She perfected the recipe in the 1940s when her and my great grandmother opened 1917 Bakery."
“That’s amazing,” Steve smiled at me again.
James made his way back to stand next to me, our shoulders were almost touching. His hand brushed mine and I took the opportunity to lock my index finger around his pinky. James’ eyes flicker down to our interlocked hands then back to my eyes. A smile curls on his lips. The rest of the night James keep our fingers interlocked, even as we sit on the couch with the rest of the band, Nat, and Wanda.
“So, Nat, Wanda, what are you ladies up to now?” The man I came to know as Sam asks.
“I’m the head choreographer at Marvel City Arts Academy,” Nat smiles.
“And I own Scarlett Vision, it’s a local bookstore and coffee shop,” Wanda beamed at her childhood friends.
“She supplies my coffee addiction,” I giggle. Although I only met the boys, I feel like I’ve been in their friend group for years.
“Ferrero Rocher Latte with extra shot of espresso so it’s not too sweet or a milk tea with extra boba,” Wanda snickered and I giggled.
“That’s meeeeee,” I put my free hand under my chin and laughed.
“She also keeps Wanda’s shop in business by purchasing at minimum twenty books a month,” Nat chimes in.
“What? A girl can’t love coffee and reading?” I laugh and fall into James’ side. I realize I’m leaning into him in a way that’s far more intimate than the level of our brief friendship. I start to pull away but he unlocks our fingers to wrap his arm around my shoulders to keep me locked at his side. I allow the few strands of hair surrounding my face to cover me as I grin to myself. Is getting hot in here? It's getting hard to breathe. I barely know James but there was a connection I can't deny. No other person had ever made me feel this way.
Nat seems to notice my attempt at hiding because she nudges me and gives me a discreet thumbs up. I wink back at her. I don’t know what to expect after tonight but if I’ve learned anything over the past few years, it’s to enjoy everyone for the time you have them in your life. Even if it’s just tonight, I’ll enjoy this moment with him. With my friends. With their friends.
“So, Steve, I heard it’s your birthday,” I turn the attention back to him.
“Ah, yes it is. 38,” he smiles and shrugs his shoulders.
“You old man,” Nat pokes fun at him.
“You’re right behind me, Romanoff,” he throws a look at her before taking a sip of his beer.
“Yeah you guys are so old,” I tease.
“Sorry we all can’t be in our late twenties still, Stell,” Nat teases back to me.
“Hey, you chose me,” I throw my hands up laughing.
“Yes and it’s been great!” Wanda chimes in, “you’re like our little sister. We love having you in our lives.”
“We do, Stell. You were the missing piece to our lives in Marvel,” Nat squeezes my hand.
“Guys, you’re going to make me cry,” I wipe away a fake tear, making everyone laugh. “I love you both so much. It’s like we were meant to be friends from the beginning.”
“Awwww, look at you guys,” James moves to grab his drink, his arm moving down my back as he leans forward. I feel my heart in my chest again. Everyone saw how he was acting tonight, but no one has said anything. I’m sure James has more women than not throwing themselves at him and seeing him act like this is normal. He's a worldwide celebrity, Stell, get a grip.
“Guys it’s 3 in the morning,” Wanda says “I’m exhausted,” she yawns.
“Yeah, I’m a little worn out too,” Nat says. Scott, Sam, and Steve all agree. James and I stay quiet. I don’t want this night to end but if he leaves, I will too.
“It was so good to see you all,” Wanda and Nat exchange goodbyes with the three guys.
“Are you tired?” James asks me.
“Not particularly,” I tell him. I'm a little tired from my long shift today, but I’m charged with energy from his presence.
“Do you want to get out of here? I think there’s a couple bars still open we could go hang out at.” He smiles at me.
“I know the perfect place, actually,” I smile back.
I tell Nat and Wanda that James and I are going to Bel's, a bar owned by Nat's little sister, Yelena.
“So how do you know about this place?” James asks me as we sit in the backseat of his private car.
“Um, it’s actually a Nat's sister's bar,” I look up at him.
“No shit, Yelena owns the bar she always talked about, huh?” he shakes his head.
“Yeah, it’s a really fun place. She usually has karaoke, trivia, or sports nights. She’ll probably have karaoke going on tonight since it’s a Saturday.” I tell him.
“Oh, you’re definitely singing a song with me,” he pokes my side making me giggle.
“Maybe, I don’t usually sing in front of people,” I say shyly.
“I bet your voice is as beautiful as you are,” my heart flew out of my chest. This man is doing things to me.
After arrive Bel’s we find a circle booth and James sits right next to me.
“Stella? Bucky?” Yelena comes around the corner.
“Yena!” I say reaching out for a hug.
“Bucky? What the hell are you doing here?” Yelena reaches out to James for a hug after hugging me.
“We had a show in town tonight. It’s so good to see you Yen,” James reciprocates the hug.
“What can I get you guys? Anything you want is on the house,” Yelena says putting her hand up.
“Yelena,” James and I say at the same time.
“Nope, I won’t hear any of it. It’s on me. Enjoy your time tonight.”
“I’ll have a Grand Marnier margarita please, Yena,” I say
“I’ll have a pitcher of Blue Moon, Yen,” James says.
“You got it, be right back.” Yelena says before walking back to the bar.
“So everyone calls you Bucky,” I raise a brow at James.
“Ah, yeah it’s my childhood nickname. James Buchanan Barnes.”
“I started putting two and two together after Nat called you Bucky and seeing your full name on your card earlier, but I didn’t feel it was my place to ask,”
“Miss detective are you, Sugar?”
Sugar? My cheeks were going to hurt from the smiling I’d done all day.
“I’m secretly an FBI agent. Anything you need information on, I can find,” I joke.
“I’ll keep that in mind if I never need to pull up dirt on anyone,” he teases.
Yelena came back a few minutes later with our drinks. James and I sat there talking for an hour or so about the town he, Nat, Wanda, and the boys are from, how my great great grandparents moved to Marvel in 1917 from Sokovia, our shared love of music. Yelena refilled our drinks two or three times before James dared me to sing a karaoke song with him. I’m not a girl to turn down a dare, so I chose Shallow by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.
“Wow, Sugar, I’m impressed,” James said as we walked back to our booth, “I your voice to be beautiful, but that. Wow.”
“I can’t compare to the James Barnes,” I giggle.
“You’re right,” he smiled, “you’re even better.”
“Hey, you’re James Barnes from The Barbershop Quartet!” A guy says walking up to our table, clearly intoxicated. I noticed the change to James’ demeanor immediately.
“Yes, I am,” his eyes narrow slightly as he sips his beer.
“Dude that was so sick! And you,” the stranger turns to me, “you’re fuckin’ hot dude. That was so sexy the way-“
“I suggest you turn around and walk away,” James says.
“What dude? I’m just telling this beautiful woman how I admire her,” the stranger tells James.
“And he's telling you to fuck off,” I tell the stranger. I have no patience for drunken idiocy.
“Woah bitch-“ the stranger starts
“I said, turn the fuck around and walk away,” James tells him again, this time his eyes are almost black from his dilated pupils.
“What the fuck bro, I thought you’d be cooler than this,” the man continues.
“And I thought you’d have respect for the person he’s with,” I throw at the guy.
“You’re a mouthy bitc-“ the stranger doesn’t get a chance to finish before I punch him in the nose.
“I also know how to finish a fight I start,” I look him dead in the eye. “Now, I believe James said fuck off, twice, so in case you can't quite hear from how loud the music is, fuck. Off.”
“Man, fuck you guys,” the stranger holds his nose as he walks back in the direction he came from.
“I never would have taken you for a punch a guy in the bar girl,” James looks at me, taking a sip of beer.
“What? Am I too pretty to know how to fight?” I narrow my eyes at him.
“No,” he looks at me before licking his bottom lip, “I took you for a don’t fuck with you in a back alley girl,” he smiled as he sipped his beer again.
I let out a full laugh, so loud it carried through the entire bar. I nod and shrug my shoulders, “yeah, that too,” I took a sip of my margarita. “Having three older brothers who all were boxers and wrestlers makes you pretty tough. Fuck that kind of hurt." I look down at my hand inspecting the damage from my punch. There was only a few drops of blood, but my knuckles are already bruising.
"Here, I'll go grab you something," James stands from our table and goes to Yena behind the bar. Yena's head immediately shoots up to me and she mouths "are you okay?" to which I nod. She turns to grab something, hands it to James and he makes his way back to our table,
"Yen is going to kick the guy out," James chuckles as he grabs my hand, placing a bag of ice over my bruising knuckles.
"Oh, good. I hope he has night he deserves," I shrug.
“I kinda like you, Sugar,” James laughs and shakes his head.
“I kinda like you too, James.” Whatever this is, I don't want this night to end