The Number One Rule

Chapter Ten

She wasn't wrong, right? It was selfish of him to do what he did because, "He couldn't help himself." That's what a frat boy who harassed a girl at a party would say...

But, Bucky wasn't a frat boy. And she knew that wasn't his intention. She could see in his body language and eyes just how much he wanted something to come out of that kiss. It was his morals and connection to Steve that was holding him back.

And him saying they would talk another time in private just made things worse, honestly.

Why couldn't they just leave it there if nothing was going to happen? Why did they have to drag it out, only to have another conversation that would result in a tragic ending?

Ugh, she couldn't think about this right now. She had an interview to get ready for. Instead of diving into the emotional roller coaster she was sure was going to inhabit her mind for the next God knows how long, she distracted herself with work.

Going through her clothes she found some that would be decent for the interview, but also not 100% what she was going for. So she hopped in the car and left the house that still inhabited Bucky and Steve. Luckily, they were still working in the backyard when she made her escape, so no awkward run-ins.

She dropped by the shops downtown deciding to stop by Suzy's after talking to Bekah about her new business. Support local, right?

Suzy didn't happen to be there, but from what she saw in the store, she knew she would be coming back a lot more. It was 100% her style. With a mix of vintage, retro, and cottage core, she felt like she was back in Europe.

She grabbed a few new outfits and realized she was down the street from the Barnes coffee and bookstore their mom had started up. She still hadn't had the chance to stop by, and though she planned to go with Bekah, she was already around the corner. Knowing Bucky was at her house still probably, the chances of running into him were low.

God. Was this what was to come out of their relationship? Her trying to avoid him to avoid the awkward tension they had created?

Shaking her head out, she entered the store. The Coffee Barne. Spelled like their last name. Too cute.

"Hi, welcome in-" The lady who was rearranging the bookshelves collection stopped mid-sentence. "Now that can't be Miss. Roger's. You're too grown up to be her," she gasped, stopping in her task.

"Crazy how four years can just age you," Y/N said dramatically and gleamed up to her.

"Oh, my sweet dear!" Mrs. Winnifred Barnes climbed down the short ladder that was attached to the wall and came rushing to her. Immediately, engulfing her in a hug that made her lose her balance. "It's so good to see you!"

Y/N laughed, hugging her second mother back just as tightly.

"I've missed you too."

The older lady with black and speckled gray hair pulled back. She was shorter than Y/N by half a foot and was much more stout than her own mom. She really hadn't changed a bit besides a few more wrinkles by her eyes and on her forehead.

"Now how come you've been in town for 2 weeks and I'm just now seeing you?" she scolded.

"I know. I'm so sorry. I've been running around trying to settle back in, get on a new sleep schedule, and also get a new job," Y/N scrunched her nose in apology. "I promise I've meant to drop by here sooner, but Bekah either said you weren't in or by the time I could, you were already closed up."

"Now that's no excuse. You know where I live," she pointed out before turning and going around the counter of the coffee shop portion of the store.

The workers that were there watched the interaction with confusion, but went back to work in the slow time of the day. Only about three other people in the shop. One on his computer in the corner, the other grabbing a coffee to go, and the last in the reading nook nose deep in a book.