Keeper Of The Cards

Part 3

           It was raining. The heavy kind that stung when it splashed against your skin and burst with an amazing force against any surface it encountered. The assault on your windows made it seem like someone was chucking a bunch of pebbles at them. You didn't want to go out into the midst of pelting rain, but you needed to work. Finally finding your umbrella, you zipped up your raincoat and braced yourself for a war with the rain. Stepping out, your umbrella took all off the impact, and you trudged toward your café. You jiggled the key into the café door and let out a breath of relief once you got inside.

Starting up a few machines, you hummed a soft jazz tune before turning on your favorite jazz café music. The atmosphere seemed to light up as the aroma of coffee and the melody of soft music filled the place. As you were taking the café chairs of the tables, your mind drifted to your date the other night.

"That café you own is pretty cute. It definitely seems you." Bucky said before taking a bite of his steak.

"Not sure if you're trying to insult me or not."

"It's a compliment, sweetheart, and I don't make them very often, so you should be grateful." Another bite of steak entered his mouth.

You rolled your eyes as you poked your mashed potatoes. It looked good, but you'd be lying to say you weren't self-conscious about eating in front of him. You just felt uneasy about the whole thing. He seemed to have caught on to what you were thinking because he lowered his fork and looked at you softly.

"I don't judge, sweetheart. I don't care if you chew loudly with your mouth halfway open, just eat. It's not like anyone's really watching. See?" He shoved a forkful of steak in his mouth and chewed loudly, making it seem extra dramatic.

Your cheeks warmed up a bit as he finished his eating display. He sent you a small smile before going back to eating in silence. Figuring you should just go with it; you brought some mashed potatoes to your lips. It tasted so good, and you went to have another bite, but you caught Bucky's look out of the corner of your eye. He was looking at you with what could only be called fondness and your stomach fluttered momentarily. Even though you barely knew this man, he provoked a small fire to light across your skin. You wanted to hate him, but in that moment, you realized you never could, not when he looked at you like that.

"Morning!" Natasha chirped as she entered the café, ripping you out of your thoughts. "It is raining cats and dogs out there!"

You put down the last chair as she closed her bright red umbrella, a few droplets splashing onto the tile floor. "Yeah, I hope it calms down a bit. If it was a bit softer, it would make a perfect ambience with the café music."

"Sure." Nat said as with a light laugh. "So, are you going to tell me how your date with Mr. Handsome went?"

"It went...well." You said choosing you words carefully.

Nat hummed as she tied her apron on. She eyed you for a second before making herself a coffee. "Okaaay. Whatever you say."

You flipped the closed sign to open, and you shook you head at her. "Don't say it like that. We didn't really do much. We had dinner and talked. That was all."

"You sure you didn't spend the night at his apartment?" She said raising her eyebrow as she sipped her coffee.

"Natasha!" You said as your eyes widened. "I'm not like you. I want to know the guy before I throw myself at him."

"I was just asking. No need to get so defensive. Kinda seems like you're hiding something."

"How about you go do something productive before you're out of a job." You told her with a pointed look.