Secretly Yours - Wanda Maximoff x reader

Chapter 10: Coffee?

I was tired. Tired of being stupid, of not being able to read social cues, but mostly, I was just tired from not having slept the night before. I'd stayed up until the birds' song wrapped me in their melody, and the light crept underneath my curtains. I'd really messed up, and I knew Maximoff wasn't going to let it slide.

As soon as Peter opened the door to the café, my body relaxed. I leaned into the familiar aroma of sweet petals and earthy brewed leaves—a scent that, mixed with the sugary pastries, transported me to the highest peaks of heaven. It's safe to say I've always been a bit of a coffee addict.

"So you rejected our boss, that's not something she can fire you for," Peter said, joining the back of the queue with me.

"The rules don't apply to her, Pete. She owns the whole damn company. And I didn't reject her—it wasn't going to be a date or anything."

The brunette raised an eyebrow, not bothering to tell me something I already knew. She definitely hadn't been inviting me on a friendly coworkers work trip.

"My life is over!" I groaned, my shoulders slumping to emphasise my misery.

Peter laughed, and I shot him an unimpressed frown. "Awww, poor you."

"This is no laughing matter, Parker!"

He snorted again, covering his mouth with one hand as I rolled my eyes. "I'm sorry. It's just... you do this all the time."

"Huh?"

"Carol Danvers."

"What! No that doesn't count," I said, nudging Peter with my shoulder. I'd met Carol in my first term at NYU. She was a year or two older than us and was possibly one of the most stunning women I'd ever seen. Of course that meant I was a speechless wreck whenever I was around her. What can I say? pretty people make me nervous.

"She asked you out, and you said—and let me quote you on this—'Oh, uh, um, oh wow," Peter mocked with a cheeky smirk.

"Dude, what else was I supposed to say?"

"YES!"

I sighed. "Okay, fine, so I've accidentally screwed myself over once before."

"Shuri."

"Oh shut up."

"Emma."

I clamped a hand over his mouth, trying hard not to laugh as his eyes crinkled with amusement.

"I think I get your point," I grumbled, the corner of my mouth twitching upwards despite my best efforts to stay annoyed.

"So what are you gonna do to make it up to her?" Peter asked as soon as my hand returned to my side.

I shrugged. "I dunno, bury myself in a hole and act like everything's fine."

"That's a terrible idea." Peter's face lit up when we reached the front of the queue, and he turned to me like he'd just come up with the best plan ever. "You should buy her a coffee."

"What?"

"Come on. What do you think she drinks? Straight black?" Peter asked, turning to the barista with an awkward smile.

"Sure..."

Peter ordered the drinks, and then we made the short journey to the office. My hands struggled to hold the coffees. My fingers felt weak as we stepped out of the elevator.

"You do realise this means I have to talk to her?"

Peter chuckled, setting the full cups down on his desk. "That's kind of the point."

I sighed, dragging my feet as Peter pushed me in the direction of Maximoff's office.

"She's going to kill me," I called back, giving Peter a final glance before he waved me off.

I knocked on the large door, my legs shaking and my heart pounding in my chest. I heard a quiet "come in," and almost melted on the spot. With a shaky breath, I entered the office, quickly surveying the room before I locked eyes with Maximoff, who was taking a book off a shelf.

I didn't speak for a second, simply taking in the woman in front of me until Wanda clearing her throat pulled me from my thoughts.

"I–uhhh, coffee?" I stuttered, holding out the warm cup to her. She lifted a perfect eyebrow, holding my gaze for a moment before she placed the book on her desk and took a few steps towards me.

"It's black."

"Like my heart?" She joked, her fingers brushing against mine as she took the drink from me. I was mesmerised by her smile, by the soft skin of her neck that became exposed as she took a sip of the warm liquid.

"Of course," I said, smiling as she gave me an 'offended' look.

She wiped the stray droplets from her lips with her thumb and gave me a thankful nod. "It's good."

I hummed in relief.

"It's from the little café down the street. I go there almost every morning before school. It's the only thing that keeps me awake in Mrs. Abel's lessons."

Wanda tutted, leaning against the book shelf with a concerned frown. "You really should get more sleep."

"You sound like my mother," I frowned back, copying her and resting against the wall as well.

"Well, your mother sounds like an intelligent woman. Besides, I don't want brain-dead people working for me, y/l/n."

"I can assure you Mrs. Maximoff, that I'm only half brain-dead." I jested, my eyes following the trail of freckles on her face before I snapped back into it. "You don't have to worry about me."

"I'm not worried about you, I'm worried about the company," she corrected, making me roll my eyes.

"Riiiight."

"Are you trying to test me?" She scolded, the trace of a smirk tugging at her lips.

I backed away from her, my hand finding the door handle without breaking eye contact.

"Never."

She shook her head and waved me off—not without shouting a final "Thank you" before I could close the door.