Second Chances (Steve Rogers x OC)

Festival

Sofia officially started at Barnes, Wilson, and Associates the first week of December. After working in a larger firm for years, it took a bit of acclimating to the smaller office setting. Once she got used to the atmosphere, she loved it. It was easier to get to know her coworkers and they were all so nice and helpful as she transitioned. Even James seemed to like her, which affirmed her suspicions that he was only grumpy with Sam. Friday morning, James came walking into her office with a case file and a cup of coffee in his hand.

"Morning, Sofia." He sat the coffee cup in front of her and took a seat across from her desk. "Friday morning tradition. We take turns bringing coffee in from the shop next door. I wasn't sure what you'd like, but you seem like a vanilla latte with almond milk type of person."

"That's perfect, Mr. Barnes. Thank you." Sofia said and brought the cup to her lips to take a sip.

"I've told you a million times already, just call me James. Really, it's fine. We're a family here, so the formalities kill the mood." He chuckled.

"Okay, James. Thank you."

"You're welcome." He laid the file in his hand on her desk and slid it across the polished wood. "Would you mind reviewing this last will and testament for me? There are notes from the client in there as well. I just want to ensure I didn't miss anything."

"Sure thing. I'll have it to you before lunch." Sofia said as she opened the file.

"There's no rush." He said and stood, pausing to look back at her before he left her office. "I hear you're having dinner with Nat tonight."

"Uh, yeah."

"Good, she needs someone else to hang out with besides me and Sam. I mean, she has Wanda, but with her mom passing away a few months ago, she and Pietro have been so busy with the inn that Nat doesn't get to see her as often."

"Well, it'll be nice to have someone in town to talk to." She smiled softly.

James nodded at her and then left her to start on the file. She had vaguely explained to Nat why she had left New York, but she expected that she'd get a fully fledged interrogation at dinner that night. At least if she ever did become friends with Nat, Sofia wouldn't have to worry about her sleeping with her boyfriend whenever she began dating again. Nat was completely enamored with James and vice versa. Seeing how happy and in love they were caused the hole in Sofia's chest to ache with longing. Not because she missed Finn.

Fuck Finn.

No, what Sofia longed for was something Finn never gave her. She wanted a love that consumed her with a man that looked at her and only her. She wanted a man to set her world ablaze and make her feel a passion that would scar her soul. An image of Steve with his tousled hair and sexy smirk popped into her head. She chastised her mind for even conjuring an image of him.

Steve was her neighbor and, albeit hotter than the surface of the sun, not the type of guy Sofia would ever consider a serious relationship with. Just one look at him told her everything that she needed to know. The flirty comments, the way his eyes looked her up and down, the bad boy look and all the tattoos just added up to one thing. Trouble. Steve Rogers was trouble and Sofia had enough of trouble.

Sofia worked on the file until she heard a light knock on her door. Her head snapped up to see Nat standing there with her purse on her shoulder and a light smile on her face. Sofia closed the file on her desk and smiled back at the red head.

"Hey! I know we're grabbing dinner tonight, but do you have plans for lunch? I'm meeting up with Wanda and I'd like you to meet her. I know you technically met her when you stayed at the inn, but I think you two need a proper introduction."