My Darling (Steve Rogers Love Story)

Chapter 1

"See you tomorrow!" Alice called as Bill left the diner. He had been coming there for his lunch break every day for the past five years. Regulars were Alice's favorite customers. It was always nice to see friends come in. Alice cleaned the table and took the dishes to the back before heading back out to the other customers.

"Hey, doll!"

Alice turned and rolled her eyes, "Bucky Barnes, you know not to call me that!"

Bucky just chuckled and gave Alice a peck on the cheek. "How are you, Alice?"

"I'm doing good, and you?"

"Great! Sent in my application for the army today, so hoping I'll hear from them soon."

Alice nodded as he spoke, doing her best to hide her fear. Alice was proud of Bucky, of course, but that did not stop her from fearing for her friend's safety.

"Hey, do you have any plans tonight?"

Alice stopped cleaning and looked at Bucky placing a hand on her hip. "We've been down this road, I'm not- "

"No no! Not asking you out for me!"

"What?"

"I'm going to a party tonight and my friend needs a date. He'd be perfect for you!" Bucky exclaimed.

Alice rolled her eyes, "We've been down this road as well. I said no more blind dates!"

"Oh, come on Alice! This is the last one I swear! He's my best friend! Do you think I'd be best friends with a jerk?"

"You are a jerk," Alice muttered, making Bucky chuckled.

"Well, he's not. He's one of those humble, shy guys. You'll like him, I promise!"

"I haven't said yes yet!"

"Party is at 7! We'll pick you up at 6:45!"

"At least tell me his name!"

"It's Steve!" Bucky called as he left the diner.

Alice let out a sigh of frustration, praying she wouldn't regret this.

Alice checked her makeup in the mirror one last time, admiring her light blue dress and black heels. Before she could do anything, else there was a knock at the door.

Bucky whistled when Alice opened the door and she rolled her eyes. Beside him stood a man she had never met before. He was barely an inch taller than Alice, skinny, with blond hair and blue eyes. Then there was Bucky's date, a pretty brunette with her arm linked with his.

"Hey, sweetheart!"

"I told you to stop with the pet names!" Alice chuckled making Bucky smile. She turned to the other man, "You must be Steve, nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too, Alice" The two shook hands.

"If you two don't kiss by the end of the night I'll be disappointed!"

"And if you don't kiss Sally by the end of the night she'll be disappointed!" Steve shot back making Sally blush.

"Let's just go," Alice chuckled. The boys nodded in agreement and the group headed off.

The party was at a friend's house not too far away, which she was thankful for since Alice was walking in heels. Bucky walked with his date in front of her and Steve, Alice could hear her giggle as Bucky told a joke.

"So, how long have you known Bucky?"

"Since we were kids, been best friends all our lives," Steve answered. "What about you? How did you two meet?"

"He spilled coffee on me at the diner" Alice quietly laughed at the memory.

"Oh yeah! He mentioned you worked at Joe's. How long have you been a waitress?"

"Five years now."

"Do you like it?" Steve asked.

"It pays the bills, but I certainly don't wanna work there for the rest of my life."

"What do you want to do?"

"I want to be a journalist, but you know how hard it can be for a woman to get anywhere in life," Alice muttered.

"What would you want to write about?"

"Anything, honestly. Anything that allows me to travel. What about you? What do you want to do?"

"I want to join the army," Steve answered.

"That's an admirable thing, have you applied?"

"I have but, I was turned down for... reasons."

Alice nodded, deciding it was better not to push the subject. They arrived at the party before Steve and Alice could continue the conversation.

Music played loudly, people drank, and couples danced. Alice had lost Bucky and his date in the crowd and Steve had seemed to disappear. She leaned against the wall and watched the people around her. Alice was perfectly content to people watch until someone decided to disturb her.

"Hey there sweetheart"

"I'm not your sweetheart" Alice muttered to the drunk stranger, but he didn't seem to hear her.

"Wanna dance?" He placed a hand on her hip that Alice quickly pushed away.

"No thanks," She moved to walk away but he grabbed her wrist.

"Oh, come on doll, I promise to show you a real good time" he whispered in her ear making her cringe.

"I said, no!" Alice tried to shove him off, but he wouldn't budge. Suddenly, the man was pulled off her and Steve was standing between the two of them.

"I believe she said no."

"Mind your own business!" The man growled.

"Leave her alone!" Steve demanded sizing the man up or at least trying to. He was a good foot taller than Steve.

"Steve, can you walk me home? Please?" Alice whispered in his ear, trying to stop this from becoming a fight.

Steve glanced at the man one last time before nodding and leading Alice outside.

"Thank you, for saving me," Alice said quietly as the two walked down the sidewalk.

"Wouldn't have to save you if I hadn't disappeared, I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

"No, it's not! I was just so nervous and was afraid of screwing this date up that it took a ten-minute pep talk from Bucky to get me to find you."

Alice slightly smiled at his words. "Well," Alice looped her arm through his as they spoke. "I'm glad my hero decided to come to the rescue." She could see a small blush appear on his cheeks at her words.

"Seems I messed up the date anyways, barely got to know you."

"I wouldn't mind a second try."

Steve looked at Alice surprised. "You mean, you'd like to go on another date with me?"

"If you're asking, then yes" She giggled. Steve's face broke out into a wide grin.

"I'd like that very much Alice," He answered as the two stopped. Alice now stood in front of her front door. "Would Tuesday work?"

"Tuesday's perfect" Alice stepped closer and gave Steve a peck on the cheek. "Goodnight hero."

Steve stood outside Alice's door a for a few moments after she had already gone inside. "Goodnight," he whispered, touching the place where her lips had just been.