Unzip Me || Romanogers || ✔️

Part 5

Friday night came sooner than expected and Natasha had just slipped into her business casual outfit when a knock came through. Fixing her earrings and tightening the backs, Natasha looked through the peephole to see Steve nervously fidgeting, a long silky piece of fabric twisted in his hands.

With a wide grin on her face, Natasha threw the door open. "Look who's come a knockin'."

"Today's the day," Steve had a nervous energy that was reflected in his jumpiness and constant fidgeting.

"Relax, Steve." Natasha took the tie out of his hands and began the process of tying it around his neck. "Just be your calm, cool self and the second date will be here sooner than you know it."

"Do you think this is a bad idea? What if I embarrass myself?"

"That's all part of the first date experience." Natasha tilted her head to look at him as she finished tightening the tie. She adjusted the collar and held it in her hands before using the tie to drag his head down to her level. "You are going to be just fine," she reassured him.

When she released him from her hold, Steve stood up straighter and ran his hand through his hair. He then nodded at Natasha's unzipped dress. "You need any help there?"

She turned around to give him access. "You have to ask?"

"I can't just grab you and turn you around now, can I?"

"No, that would just be sexual... not friendly sexual like we are."

"Don't tell Sharon we're 'friendly sexual' or whatever. I don't want her to get the wrong idea."

"Don't worry, I'll save that for the second date." She turned around to face him after he finished zipping her up. "So she's picking you up. What a gentlewoman."

"We live in the 21st century." Steve crossed his arms defensively. "The guy doesn't always have to pick the girl up."

"Uh huh," Natasha agreed.

"And the restaurant is walking distance from here..."

"Uh huh."

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Steve snapped.

"I'm not looking at you like anything!"

"Yes, you are! You're judging me!"

"For what?" Natasha laughed at Steve's paranoia. "I have no reason to judge you. You aren't doing anything wrong."

"Exactly!"

"You're being dramatic." Natasha snickered. "When is hot nurse Sharon getting here?"

Steve looked down at his watch, but the footsteps on the stairs made both their heads turn. The woman in question had just arrived and looked absolutely stunning in her tight red thigh-length dress and glittering jewelry.

"Hi," Sharon said, a dazzling smile on her face. She first looked at Steve and then focused on Natasha, acknowledging the fact that she was there. Natasha and Sharon had gotten to know each other a little better while Steve was in the hospital, so Sharon knew that she and Steve were not romantically connected at all.

"You look beautiful," Steve complimented, his face flushing.

A part of Natasha grew resentful because Steve had never complimented her on any of her dresses. Shaking her head, she quickly discarded those thoughts from her mind and greeted Sharon. "That dress is amazing," she complimented as she leaned against the door to her apartment, sending the girl a friendly smile.

"Thank you!" Sharon's eyes lit up as she talked with Natasha. "I actually found it in the cutest little boutique that was right near my house. I love your dress too! Black really suits you."