West Coast

2

"Still no luck?" Bruce asks and I shake my head.

"Maybe this is the universe telling me to stop trying with everything," I shrug and he rolls his eyes.

"You're so dramatic," he says and my jaw drops in disbelief. "How dare you," I gasp and he chuckles as he hands me a glass of water.

"You've had enough alcohol," he says when I give him a confused look. I scoff as I start chugging the water, but he grabs it and stops me. "That's how you throw up," he lectures.

"ThAt'S hOw YoU tHrOw Up," I mock in a high pitched voice and he glares at me. "Don't turn green on me man," I say as I put my hands up in defense.

Bruce has a medical condition where he turns green instead of red when he's mad or frustrated. He hates that it happens cause then he sticks out like a sore thumb.

"You know I love ya," I joke and Bruce rolls his eyes.

"I'm just trying to keep you alive," he says before walking away.

I sit there staring at the glass filled with water, still trying to process what happened today. Bruce comes back over to me when he notices the change in my appearance. "What's wrong?" He asks.

"Why doesn't he like me?" I ask.

"C'mon Penny, you know John loves you," Bruce says.

"I know he loves me, but he doesn't like me," I say and he hands me another drink.

"You'll find the right one someday," he says.

"John is supposed to be the one," I say and bruce chuckles, but stops when he sees the look you're giving him.

"If John is okay with doing this then he's not the one,"  Bruce shrugs.

I smile softly at him and he shrugs before walking away to another customer.

The presence of someone sitting next to me doesn't really catch my attention. They put their hands on the counter and I notice the silver ring on their middle finger.

"Hey," they say and I look up to meet their blue eyes. Then I take in their beautiful face, absolutely breathtaking features. A cleft chin with a stumble to hide it on his squared jaw, perfect pink lips, chestnut brown hair that's buzzed on the sides with a bit still at the top. Bonus for the perfect smile he's giving you.

"Hi," I say.

"I'm James," he introduces himself and my heart flutters a bit.

"Penelope. Most people call me Penny," I say with a smile and he nods his head. "Well then I should tell you that most people call my Bucky," he says.

"Okay then, Bucky," I say and take a sip of my drink.

"I've gotta say, you're absolutely gorgeous," he says and I chuckle softly.

"I know," I shrug which makes him laugh. "I should probably tell you that I'm married," I add.

"Oh," he says and his smile drops as he stands up. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude or make you uncomfortable," he says and I shake my head quickly as I reach for his arm and he looks at me confused. "Yes, I'm married, but it's an open marriage. My husband is actually having sex with someone else right now believe it or not," I say and laugh awkwardly.

Bucky eyes you suspiciously before sitting back down on the stool. "I've never actually met anyone whose in an open relationship before," he says.

"Really?"

"There not as common as one might think," he shrugs his shoulders and I shake my head.

"I disagree. I feel like they are pretty common, but people don't really announce it. Especially if they're embarrassed because of it," I state and he nods his head.

"Touché," he chuckles before taking a sip of his drink. "So are you embarrassed?"

"If it was up to me, we wouldn't be in an open relationship, but we are. I'm not embarrassed though. It's his choice to wanna have sex with other people I can't change that. I also don't see why I should be embarrassed for something he decided. My mindset and his mindset are two different things," I shrug.

"So what, he just decided he wanted to stay married to you, but date other people?" He asks and I laugh which coax's a confused expression out of him. "No, he doesn't want to date other people, he just wants to have sex with them. He said that we're still married and we'll still fall asleep next to each other every night, but we can have sex with one other person of our choice," I say with a shrug.

"Wow," Bucky says and I laugh as I take a sip of my drink. "Well, since you're offering me this, I have to tell you, I gotta think about it," he shrugs.

"I never said I was offering you—"

"It's just a lot to grasp, ya know?" He cuts me off as he grabs a nearby napkin and pulls a pen out of his jacket pocket. "Just write you're number here, and I'll give you a call when I have my answer as to if I wanna have sex with you basically whenever with no strings attached."

He pushes the napkin and pen towards me and I stare at him in disbelief. There's no expression on his face as he takes another sip of his drink. I scoff as I grab the pen and scribble my number on it before pushing it towards his way.

"It's been a pleasure doing business with you, I'll give you a call when I have more information," he says as he stands up.

"Sounds good Mr..." I trail off not knowing his last name.

"Barnes," he answers and I smile.

"Sounds good Mr. Barnes."

"Goodbye Mrs. Penelope..."

"Walker."

"Goodbye Penelope," he says as he sticks his hand out. I put my hand in his to shake, but he brings my hand to his lips and kisses the back of it. The breath in my throat catches before coming back out and I know it's noticeable, but frankly, I don't give a shit. This gorgeous, sexy, breathtaking, absolute work of art, godlike, man is kissing the back of my hand.

"Goodbye James," I whisper and he grins before walking away.

Did I mention sexy?

I take a deep breath before taking a sip of my drink. A few minutes go by before I feel my phone vibrating in my pocket. I grab it and see an unknown number calling.

"Hello," I say.

"I'll do it," a man says.

"Who's this?" I ask with a smile on my face.

"Your hairdresser. It's Bucky, your new sex partner, who else would it be?" He asks.

"I don't know, it's not everyday I get told that my husband wants to have sex with other people. And I meet the person I'm going to be having that sex with," you say.

"Wait, you're husband told you that today?" He asks

"Yep," I say.

"Wow, what a dick," he says.

I laugh as I take a sip of my drink. Bruce comes over and motions for me to get of the phone with panic in his eyes.

"Hey I have to go," I say.

"Okay, I'll text you," he says.

"Okay, bye."

"Bye," he says and I hang up.

"What?" I ask.

"Natasha just walked in," he says with a lot of panic in his voice. He runs his fingers through his hair as he tries to control his breathing. "What do I do?" He asks.

"Take a deep breath and try to calm down," I say.

"I can't— Penny I don't know what to do," he says.

"Go to the back and gather yourself before coming back out," I say and he nods his head.

"Yea okay," he says and grabs my hand to give it a squeeze before walking away. I frown as I watch him disappear.

My phone vibrates in my hand and I look down to see a text message from the same unknown number that called me.

Can I see you tomorrow?

—

A/n: hehehe