CRAVE - Bucky Barnes x Marvel AU

Part 7

Lying on my bed I was still suffering from the butterflies. I felt like a teenager again.

Howard had invited me, Wanda, Vision, Sam and James himself for a little 'celebration party' over the new deal.

I shot a quick text to Wanda, not wanting to show up alone.

Hey Wanda, I'd be happy to send a car to pick me, you and Vision up?

Moments later, my phone pinged.

Thanks! Just putting the boys to bed, their aunt Agatha's taking care of them. What are you wearing?

I dug through my wardrobe to find something, we sent pictures back and forth to each other to try and find the perfect outfit.

When I stepped out the car to knock on Wanda's door I knew I'd chosen the perfect outfit.

It was a snug black dress, the fabric like matte silk. It went down to about my knees, and had a slit going up my right thigh. It had a deep sweetheart neckline with spaghetti straps, and I kept my hair in a loose bun.

Wanda opened the door, she looked ravishingly as always. She wore a shirt, black velvet dress with a low v-neckline and deep red lipstick. Her hair was styled in a fringe, tied low at the back.

"You look beautiful!" I hugged her "new haircut?"

"Yep, trying to get fringes back in style!" She laughed "come in, Vis is just putting the boys to bed."

I came into their baby-infested living room. It gave me 70's vibes, with a few modern touches. Vision came downstairs wiping a bead of sweat of his head.

"They're asleep- just about," he warned "Agatha is still cooing at Billy."

"He never sleeps," she added, picking up her handbag.

"Nice to meet you, Lizzie," he said, I was glad Wanda had called me by my name; not ma'am or Miss White.

"You too, Vision!" I hugged him "shall we get going?"

All three of us squished into the back of the car, I told my driver where we were heading. The entire time Wanda told me stories about having the boys, basically their life story since the hospital.

I didn't mind though, the way she told them was really entertaining.

We reached The Ivy at Tower Bridge, one of my favourite places in London. With all the floral decor and a view of the Thames, it was like a hidden garden.

"Ooohhhh fancy!" Wanda commented as we walked through the door, somebody then led us to our table.

Howard, Sam, the guy I met in the lift, and James were already sat at the table to my surprise. Howard had saved a space for me.

Wanda re-told all her stories she had of the boys again, Vision groaned at hearing the tales again and whispered something to Sam, who laughed.

"Remember me?" Steve raised an eyebrow at me "hope you don't mind I tagged along, ya know, just to keep this guy under control!" He roughly rubbed James on the back of the neck.

"Not at all," I laughed "it's Steve?"

"The one and only, can I call you Lizzie?" He asked, surprised I remembered his name.

"Sure."

Howard ordered us a bottle of Morgan Double L Vineyard Chardonnay, secretly know that's my personal favourite. My eyes fell to James's a couple of times, wondering when he'd start a conversation.

I took a sip from my glass eyeing him, I could tell he was very preserved, he was probably judging the wine. His eyes met mine, giving me a little wink as he lifted his glass to his lips. I smiled bashfully.

"Lizzie?" Wanda tapped me on the shoulder, I immediately snapped out of James's trance, realising the whole table was staring at me.

"Yeah?" I tried to act as natural as possible, feeling the alcohol get to me a little. One sip too many.

"The waitress wants to know your order," she told me, cocking her head in the direction of a waitress stood there with a notepad.

"Oh!" I fumbled about for the menu, not even glancing at it since I sat down. Luckily I'd been here a few times before.

"I'll have duck liver parfait, and Peruvian salmon," I smiled, handing her the menu. She said thanks, nodded and walked off to the kitchen.

Well then.

I hadn't made much of a fool out of myself than I though I'd had. I had a feeling James saw right through me.

The meals came, they were delicious as always. We mostly spoke about London, I blabbered on a bit about my favourite landmarks, how no tourists bother to see Downing Street these days.

"We're gonna miss this place," Steve pointed out, almost making me choke on a Padrón pepper.

"You're leaving?" My voice had a touch of sadness in, James's eyes melted a little.

"We live in New York, Lizzie," Steve pointed out the obvious "James just brought us too along while he checked up on his office here for a while."

I absorbed the words as Howard began to tell them about Crave's shop locations. So they're just on holiday?

"When do you leave?" I asked over the rest of the table's conversation

"Tomorrow, sweetheart. We fly back to New York," James's voice was like a whisper across the chattering table, but my ears only listened to him.

So what? He's just another business partner! Let it go, people travel all the time.

I began to hate my conscious, it never agreed with me for what I wanted. But, people do travel all the time...

"Howard," I kept my voice low as we all made our way over to the bar, my head rang a little. "I think we should go to New York."

I must've caught him at a good time, or maybe he'd finished too many glasses, but his face lit up.

"YES honey! We need a break,"

"No, no, I mean like a business trip-" I tried to hush his excitement m.

"Oh, I see." He turned to face me, smiling smugly that made me gulp a little "I'll sort it out, hun."

I sighed, sitting at the bar. I'd deal with Howard during his hangover tomorrow.

"Mind if I sit here?" I recognised his voice immediately, James said as he sat down.

"Whiskey?" I asked, seeing the golden amber liquid in his crystallised glass.

"I'm not a big wine drinker," he told me "can I get you anything?"

"Oh, no thanks," I raised my glass "I have work tomorrow anyway." It was true, it would only make my oncoming headache worse, plus having to battle with Howard's emails as well as since he probably won't be in.

"Good girl," he shuffled on his stool a little, facing towards me more, I scrunched my toes together in my shoe. A habit I have to try and calm myself in moments like this.

"You look beautiful, if I haven't already told you." He added casually, making me swoon a little "you okay?" He put his hand on my shoulder, I realised I was falling into it.

I felt lightheaded, realising how much I was tipping around.

His voice was concerned "how much have you drank, doll?" Standing up he let me fall back into his arms, acting like the back of the stool.

"Three glasses..." my eyes squinted, suddenly all the lights were too bright, and the people too loud. Before I could tell what he was saying to me, my body went limp and it all turned black.