Unexpected Sweetness

Book club part 1

Soon it was Shawna's turn to host book club and the street was lined with the six cars of the other members. Leaving Sam Wilson only Bucky's driveway to park. "Hey. How you liking the new neighborhood?" Sam greeted his friend working on his motorcycle that was his current restoration project.

"It's fine." Bucky grunted, not in the mood for Sam's cheerfulness. A loud burst of feminine laughter came from the back porch two houses down. Sam smiled.

"So your neighbor sounds like a party animal." Bucky started.

"Naw, she actually is pretty quiet. It's just her turn to host her book club." Bucky smiled at the memory of the mistaken identity and learning that they talked about him and had given him a nickname. Sam grabbed a chair and a couple of longneck beers.

"So cyborg, can you hear them?" He asked, only able to make out a bit of the conversation.

"They are talking about their days and her non alcoholic sangria recipe." Bucky said, turning his wrench. "They also are having homemade BBQ chicken pizza. Apparently Shawna likes to cook."

"Shawna is neighbor girl?" Sam asked, Bucky nodded. Sam smiled, looking over at her house. "You like her. She isn't afraid of you because you are you."

"Ladies, let's actually talk about the book." Shawna tried, holding up her copy of "spoiler alert."

Kristina giggled, holding up her slice of pizza. "You sure you don't wanna just get us distracted from Hunky?" She teased her bestie. Shawna blushed, ducking behind her book. She hadn't told her friends about Bucky nursing her through a migraine.

"Guys. Please focus on Marcus and April. Not my lack of love life. I'm happy without a lucky man, lady or person in my life." She begged, Bekah looking at her partner who was seated on the floor with the dogs.

Rachel laughed, "Fine, but we will have the Hunky discussion. Especially with that pretty blush." She tapped her friend's nose. Shawna sighed, cursing the fact that her friends were as observant and invested in her love life as they were.

Kristina stood up, glancing over her shoulder at the two men. "Anybody need some sweet tea? I dunno about you all, but I am HOT." She said, aiming the last at the two very attractive men down the street.

Shawna blushed, "Ya know it's in the fridge." She reminded her friend. "What do you take me for? I am a country girl in a city world." She laughed, the women aware of her hometown pride, especially at football season.

Kristina smiled at her, "Okay, so what did we think of April's determination to take on fat shaming in her Fandom. What could we implement in our own fandoms?" She asked as she went in to pour the sweet tea.

Bucky dropped his wrench, glancing at Sam. "Apparently we are hot. And they are razzing her about us hanging out."

Sam pulled his bottle from the drink he was about to take. "You guys are hanging out? Like bump into each other and just works out or actually planning it?"

Bucky raised an eyebrow at his partner. "Does it matter?"

Sam sputtered, "Yeah, it matters."

Bucky frowned. "I borrow her dogs for my run in the morning. Sometimes she tags along and walks Flo while I run with Becky. She and I are working on catching me up on movies. We start Star Wars next week." He shrugged.

Sam started to smile, "Who have thunk it? Your heart still works."

Bucky threw the grease rag at his friend. "She doesn't act interested. She doesn't flirt or make small talk. She is very to the point and really shy. And I don't think the dance has changed that much. " Bucky admitted.

Sam got his thoughtful face on, "You said her dogs were service dogs? Did she ever say what for? Or the dogs have patches on their vests?"

Bucky shook his head. "She had an awful headache the other day. Bad enough, she asked me to walk her dogs."

Sam nodded. "More of those peanut butter cookies as a thanks?" Sam fished, having tried one.

Bucky nodded, "and my own house key." He pulled the key out of his pocket. Mickey smiling up at him. Sam shook his head. Something was going on, but he was hopeful. He had made a promise to Steve to watch out for Bucky. And this looked like something good for the old soldier.