Say my Name-rewrite

"Those hips are the work of the devil"

Maya's POV:

A few hours later, I am heading downstairs to the party. The dress Nat gave me is not something I'm normally comfortable wearing. It's very form-fitting, showing off every curve. Not to say that I haven't worn things like this before, but it usually ends in a massively disappointing evening for me.

Two hours ago in my room:

"Nat, I can't wear this!" I exclaim, trying to hold back a laugh. "If I bend over, my ass will be out. And look at my hips in this thing!"

Nat grins, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "Why do you think I chose this for you?" she says, winking at me. "Girl, those hips are the work of the devil, in the best way. Trust me, Maya."

Back to the present:

I am making my way through the crowd, looking for Nat and Wanda. I spot them at the bar and immediately head in their direction.

"Damn, girl, you look hot!" Nat exclaims as I approach.

Wanda says nothing and just eyes me up and down, a small, approving smile playing on her lips.

"Yeah? I don't know...this is not usually me," I reply, pulling at the hem of the dress, trying to cover even an inch more of my exposed flesh.

"Well, it should be," Wanda says with a wink, taking a sip of her drink.

"Don't think about it," Nat says, grabbing my hand. "Let's get you a drink. Loosen you up some! I have a feeling...the way a certain someone is glaring at you...you're gonna need it," she says with a mischievous grin.

"What? No way," I scoff, the self-deprecating tone oozing out of me with ease.

Nat grabs my shoulder and turns me to face the other side of the room where I see most of the boys playing pool. Clint, Sam, Bruce, and...

My eyes immediately focus on Bucky. He's eyeing me up and down, his gaze dark and commanding as he grips the side of the pool table.

"Yeah, let's get me that drink," I whisper, immediately turning back to face Nat.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Steve making his way toward the bar.

"Maya, wow, you look...amazing," he says, his eyes warm with genuine admiration.

I blush, red-hot heat pinking my cheeks as I look down and mumble, "Thank you."

"I'm going to mingle, but um...if you need anything? Let me know," Steve says, offering me a reassuring smile.

As Steve walks away, Nat nudges me playfully. "Told you. Now, let's get you that drink and see where the night takes you."

The party rages on for a few hours. I actually had a lot of fun drinking and dancing with the girls, and beating the boys at 8 ball. I got to visit and get to know Tony and Pepper.

A few hours later, I see Nat in the corner with Bruce. Captain Cake was talking with a beautiful blonde. Clint had headed up to bed early because, as he says,  he's too old for this many parties.

Somehow, I had managed not to run into Bucky face-to-face all night. I kept thinking maybe I had done something wrong? Was he mad? Did something change since earlier?

'Harper, stop. Since when do you go all gushy over a guy?' my brain whispers.

"I need a drink. I'll be back," I say and excuse myself from an intense conversation between Tony, Sam and Rhoadey about the possibilities of time travel.

"Bourbon, please," I order from the bartender. He gives me a quick smile and turns around to grab the bottle of Blanton's.

"Make that two, please," I hear a voice beside me.