Chapter 14
Christmas music played softly in the background as Natasha, Wanda, and I decorated the tree, humming along to the tune. We had quickly banned the boys from helping as they clearly didn't understand the aesthetic that we were aiming for. Pietro took this as a personal fence, s o for every five ornaments we place, he gets to place one, even though Wanda might move it the second he turns around.
Wanda had even made Christmas cookies and apple cider that sat on the kitchen counter, although there was a moment of panic when Bucky had to scoop Alpine off of the counter as she had pushed the pitcher to be about a centimeter from the edge.
It was during that moment that I learned Wanda was not a cat person, and it made my heart grow warm to think about how she said nothing about it during all of the times that I gushed about Alpines cuteness. I would send her pictures and videos, and she had even discussed with me the possibility of getting my own cat when I was stable enough.
I skipped into the kitchen with the intent of refilling my glass of cider and was met with the sight of Sam shoving three of the sugar cookies into his mouth at the same time. His eyes widened as he made eye contact with me, trying to quickly chew the cookies as he waved me over.
"Something important to tell me?" I chuckled, pouring the cider into my glass carefully.
"Shh! Shh!" His eyes darted quickly into the living room, seemingly doing a head count of our friends.
Our friends. Was this the first time I had referred to Steves friends as my own? Im not sure, but it fills me with both warmth and some form of imposter syndrome.
"Okay, so I know that your brother and Bucky were weird about it earlier, but Eddie asked me to see if I could give you his number?" Sam wiggled his eyebrows mischievously. "And listen, I know that it might be too soon, and if so that is totally okay. Eddie is a really cool guy and he won't take any offense to you not reaching out."
I hummed in contemplation, letting my gaze fall to my hands as I wiped some crumbs off of the counter. "I dunno. Why don't Steve and Bucky like him?"
"It's just the natural rivalry that occurs between prosecutors and defense attorneys," he chuckled.
"Is Eddie nice?" My voice was small and I was honestly embarrassed by the question, but I knew I needed to ask it.
"He's a really good guy, he would never do you wrong. I promise." I could see the sincerity in his eyes.
I pursed my lips in contemplation. I'm not blind. Eddie is very attractive, not to mention obviously very charming. Is it too soon, though?
"I'll take his number, but no promises that I'll message him!" I pointed a finger at him, trying my best to give him a stern look.
He chuckled and held his hands up in surrender before pulling his phone out and letting me translate the number into my own device.
I felt a little guilty as I stared at Eddies name in my phone, both towards Eddie and Bucky. It wasn't fair to Eddie when I knew that I was growing feelings for Bucky, those feelings growing stronger with each day. I also hate that I'm considering a person that I know both Bucky and Steve have a dislike towards.
Bucky was the one who told me that he didn't want to worry that I went with the first person who was nice to me after Brock, though. Bucky was the one who told me that he wanted to make sure I was happy with my experiences before settling with him.
And I do think that I could like Eddie.
"Umm, Sam?" I asked hesitantly before joining the others back in the living room, "Do you think you could tell Eddie about my, um, my situation, before I maybe reach out? I don't want him to think I'm being too weird or prudish or anything."
"Anything for you, Dandi," he said, pulling me into a hug and placing a soft kiss on the side of my head.
I smiled as he held me in his arms. I didn't flinch.
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It's two days later when I finally text Eddie. It's late in the evening, eight o'clock to be exact. Bucky and Steve went out with some coworkers, dinner and then drinks I think is what they said. I haven't done anything today but watch TV and cuddle with Alpine.
I hate to admit it, but I wasn't really planning on taking advantage of Eddies number, not until I overheard my brother talking to Bucky on my birthday. It was the end of the day, everyone else had left. Bucky and Steve wanted to watch Home Alone, though, and I wasn't one to argue when it came to my favorite Christmas movie. I had went to the bathroom before we started the movie and I couldn't help but eavesdrop before I walked back into the room.
"So, you and Dot, huh?" Steve asked.
"Yeah, she asked me out last week. At first I wasn't sure, but I think I might go for it." I could just picture Bucky shrugging with his words. "She's sweet I guess."
"Yeah, and I'd rather see you with the cute barista by our office than with my sister."
It took all of my self control to hold back the gasp that wanted to escape. How did he know?
"What?" Bucky stammered the word out.
"I'm not stupid, Buck. I've known you since diapers, I know what it looks like when you have a crush, okay?" Steve scoffed. "I love you, and I love her, but you're too close to everything. She needs to live a little, and honestly, I know it's not my place but I would rather see her with someone a little closer to her age."
"Brock was only a year older than her and look what happened there."
Silence filled the room and I could feel my body tense. I need to go in there before one of them takes things too far. I need to go in there before I start to spiral. So I did, ending the conversation and stealing Alpine from Steves lap before I curled up on the couch beside him, making sure to put myself between the two friends.
Bucky has started to distance himself since that night, abruptly so. I'm not sure if he had actually intended on going out with this girl or if he had intended to throw Steve off his scent, but now I know for a fact he was going out with her. Wednesday night to be exact.
So, here I am, the chat between Eddie and I open, and my thumbs moving aimlessly above the keyboard and blank screen. I typed and deleted and typed and deleted before finally settling on something simple.
Me: Hi Eddie, this is Dandi. Sam gave me your number.
It didn't take even one minute before had a response.
Eddie: Dandi my dear, you just made my day. How are you?
Me: I'm good, how are you?
The message felt dry, but I was still reeling on the fact that I actually reached out to him.
Eddie: Up until a few minutes ago? Terrible. Now? Amazing.
Giggling, I settled into the couch and let my thumbs tap away on the screen. Maybe this was a step in the right direction.