Just a Hair Stylist - Chris Evans story \\✔️

Chapter Sixty-five

When you and Chris finally stopped pawing at each other, you were on your way to Karen's. It was kind of a cute picture of the two of you, walking out to your car with aluminum trays of goodies stacked in your arms. Your apartment wasn't too far off the path, so you stopped by to grab a bathing suit along the way.  

At Karen's house, her husband, Allen, greeted you at the door. He shook hands and traded names with Chris, while he took the containers off of your hands to free you up for Sophie. The little girl hugged as high as she could get on you, and you pointed out Chris to her, saying he was your boyfriend and he was an actor. Sophie shook his hand and Allen directed Chris to follow him to the kitchen to put down the cupcakes with the rest of the food. You followed along, led by Sophie by the hand, to find Karen in the kitchen slicing up fruit. 

"Hi, guys," she smiled, glancing up from her work. With her elbow, she pointed to the only empty counter space available, saying, "Just stack them over there, till I can find something to put them out on."

"Where's Archie?" Sophie frowned.

"Oh, honey," Karen told her, "they're not staying all day. He's at home."

"But next time," you promised.

"Besides," Karen smirked, "she brought Captain America to your 4th of July party. Isn't that better?"

Chris waited for her decision, with a patient grin, while Sophie gave him a once over. She stared at his bearded face a moment and seemed to see who he was under his unemployment disguise. Her eyes got a little wider and her cheeks picked up a tinge of pink.

"Tony kept the shield," she frankly told him.

Chris didn't miss a beat, humbly nodding and then winking, "I let him keep it."

"She's a little bit Team Iron-Man, lately," Allen said, quietly adding, "Peer pressure."

"Ohh," Chris understood, his brow rising at the revelation. "I see."

"Because the boy she likes in her class is Team Iron-Man," Karen explained. 

"Mo-om!" Sophie cried, her face pinching in embarrassment.

The adults shared a snicker, as Sophie stomped out the door. "She's actually really excited you're here," Allen assured Chris, and you all shared a laugh when everyone looked out the door to Sophie and saw her peeking back in at Chris.

Hungry eyes panning over the snacks and treats spread out over the counter tops, you marveled, "This all looks so good."

"Thanks," Karen grinned. "Do you mind helping Allen in the yard with the tables and chairs?"

"Not at all," you assured her, absconding with a couple blue berries meant for the fruit salad.

You guys followed Allen out the back door to the yard. While Chris and Allen unfolded tables and set up extra chairs, you and Sophie hung up red, white, and blue swags and bunting on the privacy fence around the yard. You and Sophie got the pool floats and toys from the garage and threw them in the water. When the backyard was all set up, you went back inside and Allen went to the store to get gas for the grill and pick up some last minute things.

While you washed up to help in the kitchen, Sophie give Chris a hard stare, her chin braced in her hands as she sat on her shins on a stool at the counter. "Are you really Captain America?" she wondered.

"I am," he nodded.

"Prove it," she demanded.

Chris played along, asking, "How?"

You and Karen watched from the other side of the kitchen island, where you were helping cut up peppers for the grill.

"How come you have a beard?" Sophie asked.