She chose me •Steve Rodgers x reader•

Chapter 5

Fiancé?

Steve stood in shock for much longer then necessary. She never mentioned a fiancé. She never mentioned anyone at all. And she wasn't wearing a ring either.

She isn't obliged to tell you her relationship status Steve.

They had only just met really, he couldn't get ahead of himself too quick, they were friends like she said, he was happy she considered him to be that then a stranger.

"Nice to meet you too, Mr Prescott" Steve extended his hand and gave him a firm handshake.

(Y/n) looked up at Joe, analysing his face the whole time, "we were just getting a coffee and then I was going to my interview" she spoke delicately.

"That sounds nice, thanks Steve for looking after my girl, sometimes I forget I should be treating her more often" Joe gave her a squeeze and Steve a friendly smile, "well, we better go, don't want you to be late for your interview honey"

She nodded at his request and turned to Steve "thank you for the coffee Steve, I'll see you soon"

"Of course, good luck (Y/n)" he waved them off, as they walked away and climbed into Joe's car.

____________________________

She sunk into the cold leather seats of his car and watched the world go by from the windows. They drove through the city in silence, she didn't know if speaking right now was a good idea. As they approached the MET, Joe took a sharp right turn, going in the opposite direction of the museum.

"I thought you were taking me to my interview?" She asked quietly, not daring to speak any louder.

"I called Dr Franklin and told him to reschedule your interview because you're sick" he replied calmly, no taking his eyes off the road.

"But I'm not sick Joe"

"I know, but the kitchen at home is a mess and needs cleaning, plus I've got a lot of work to do today so I'd like dinner to be cooked for when I get home, yes honey?" He smiled, like he hadn't done anything wrong.

"I was really looking forward to that interview Joe" she peeked at him, seeing him grip the steering wheel tighter.

"That's why I rescheduled it, now I'll be home at 7" she hadn't realised that they were already home until the car had stopped moving and they were in the parking lot of their apartment. She got out of the car, collecting her bag and papers with her.

"And (y/n)?" Joe said "wear something nice for me when I get home, yes?" He smirked at her, that same smirk she used to love.

"Ok Joe" he motioned her closer, signalling that he wanted a kiss and she complied, of course. "That's a good girl, I love you (y/n)"

"Love you too Joe" she shut the car door and he sped off without another word.

The steps up to the apartment were long and tiresome, but she liked that, elevators for her were too quick, this way she could waste time going back up to the empty apartment, where she would wait for Joe to come home.

It was cold, as always. Nothing about that apartment felt warm except for the fireplace when it was lit. The decor was very monochrome, all black and white, very sleek and sophisticated style, she didn't mind it, it wasn't to her personal taste, but Joe liked it and it made him happy, which made her happy.

She kicked off her heels, not caring about where they went, she could deal with them later. Entering the kitchen, she saw the 'mess' Joe was talking about earlier.

4 plates and a cup, seriously Joe?

She knew that he wanted her to be domestic and housewifely, but this was getting ridiculous.

(Y/n) washed the dishes and took out a bottle of wine from the wine fridge. Fuck her promise to Joe, she needed a drink.

The taste of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc ran down her throat and she let out a sigh. He'd been so much more demanding recently, she couldn't make a move without him knowing somehow, and their arguments had gotten more and more frequent that she felt like she was stepping on eggshells every time she was around him.

Joe wanted to give off the impression that they were the perfect couple. And it looked like that on the outside. Every social event they attended, (Y/n) was required to be dressed to the nines, she had to be the ultimate trophy wife. It's like she couldn't make a mistake, or Joe would annihilate her on their way home.

Moving into the bathroom, she ran herself a bath and sat down on the edge, loving the feeling of the hot steam on her back. All she wanted nowadays was for Joe to go back to his old self, his loving, carefree self, like when they were back in college.

After her bath she slipped into the silk grey pyjamas Joe bought her and pulled out her copy of Lady Chatterley's Lover and sat on their couch.

A few pages into the book, and she felt her phone buzz.

Hope you're interview went well, I'm sure you did great,
Steve

She smiled at his message and proceeded to call the number, and sure enough after the first ring, he picked up.

"hello?" He voice was so deep and husky, almost making (y/n) hot.

"Hi Steve, what's going on?" She asked sitting back on the sofa. "Nothing much" he replied "I'm not going to lie, I thought a call was too forward for new friends so I thought a text would be sufficient"

"No, don't worry about it, I much prefer to call, feels a lot more personal yknow?" Steve did know, he still wasn't used to all this technology stuff, he had just got the hang of texting like a 21st century person.

"Yeah, I get you" he smiled "so how was the interview, you never said?"

"I didn't go"

"What? Why?"

She sighed "I felt a bit ill when Joe drove me there, so I rescheduled it"  she replied, hoping that he wouldn't push the matter any further.

"Ok, but make sure you go for it (Y/n), don't live your life not doing something you love" Steve expressed wisely.

She smiled and looked down at her lap, secretly wishing he was there, she liked spending time with Steve, he wasn't anything like Joe and that was obvious, but even thought they had spent very little time with each other, she could tell he was such a kindhearted, genuine person.

"Are you free tomorrow?" She asked, hoping she could see him again.

"Sure, my lunch break is at 1, if you want to grab a bite to eat?" He asked.

"I'd like that a lot" she said softly "um, Steve?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm glad we're friends now" her tone was so quite, almost as if she felt like she shouldn't be saying it.

"I'm glad we're friends too, doll"