“Wow, you look amazing.” Steve says as I walk into his apartment.

“I fit the role of a 1940’s dame?” I ask, chuckling, as I turn around so he can get the full experience of my outfit.

“Very much so,” Steve chuckles, “it kinda makes me homesick.”

“Thank you, honey” I say attempting to fact a 1940’s Brooklyn accent but failing miserably.

“That accent could use a little work though,” he teases.

“Sorry that I didn’t live in Brooklyn long enough to pick up the accent.” I laugh. “So how is he?”

“He’s getting ready as we speak.” Steve informs me, “he sound actually excited to be going; much like how he sounded before a date back in the day.”

“You’re not going to the benefit?” I ask, seeing Steve dressed in his usual white t-shirt and khakis.

“Don’t have a date.” He replies.

A smile appears on my lips as the thought of my old college roommate, Isabella pops into my mind. “Get dressed in your old uniform and come with us. I’ve got just the girl in mind.”

“So a double date?” He asks smiling, “this isn’t for Bucky is it?”

“It’s for the both of you,” I reply, “you’re not treating him like your friend, you’re treating him like a child. You both need to get out and have fun like you used to. Maybe he’ll remember.”

“Old uniform huh?”

“We are saluting the 40’s,” I reply with a smile, “this isn’t me having a thing for men in uniform.”

He let’s out a chuckle, “fine, I’ll go get ready.” Just as he goes towards his room, my phone rings. I look down at the caller ID and it’s a familiar number, a number that I’ve been actively avoiding for awhile.

“What do you want Ben?” I hiss as I answer the call,

“I just wanted to know if you’re going to the benefit tonight,” he replies, “I’ve got a date to go to it tonight and I’d hate for you to ruin that.”

“It’s not like you listen to the restraining order anway,” I scoff, “but yes, I’m going with friends, this benefit is my baby anyway. Why wouldn’t I attend it?”

“What friends are you going with?”

“It’s none of your buisness,” I reply, “you’re not my boyfriend anymore Ben, you’ve lost any rights to know who I’m hanging out with and when. Besides don’t act like you care. You’ve stopped caring about me long ago, Mathers.”

“I guess I’ll see you tonight.” I can envision the smirk on his lips as he hangs up.

“Who was that?” A voice behind me asks. I turn around and see James standing there. My heart skips a beat as the air gets sucked back in my lungs leaving me breathless for a moment. With his hair cut and uniform on, he’s exactly what I envisioned him looking like back in the 40’s.

“Wow,” I say breathlessly after a couple seconds, “you look amazing.”

“You’re not lying are you?” He sounds insecure and you can tell he is as his hat gets crushed slightly under the grip of his metallic hand.

“You look amazing, I swear.” I smile as I walk over to him, taking the hat out of his grip, fixing it before placing it on his head. Our eyes meet briefly and a smile appears on his lips. Butterflies flutter in my stomach as I step back.

“Who were you talking to?” He asks again, “it seemed pretty heated.”

“Just my ex,” I reply, “nothing for you to worry about. He’s an asshole, that’s all.”

“Where’s Steve?” He asks, thankfully letting this go.

“He went to get dressed, he’s coming to the benefit with us.”

“Really?” He asks. I smile when I see the twinkle in his eye, showing that he’s happy to be going somewhere with Steve.

“Yea, it’s going to be a double date kinda thing,“ I explain, “my college roommate is in town and she needs a date. Steve was available so he’s going.” James just smiles as we continue to watch for Steve to finish getting ready.

**

I walk into the venue of the benefit with James and Steve on my arms. Of course all eyes are on us, thanks to Steve. Isabella is the first to come over and pull me into a long hug.

“It’s so good to see you,” she all be squeals, “it’s been too long.”

“Tell me about it,” I laugh before I half turn to the boys I walked in with, “Isabella, these lovely men are Steve and James.” I say, pointing to the guys as I say their names. “Steve, James this is Isabella, my old college roommate I was telling you about.”

“Nice to meet you,” Steve says, looking at Isabella with a smile while James simply mutters a “nice to meet you” through a forced smile.

“James, how about we go get something to drink,” I say, sensing his uneasiness around a new person. He nods his head as I grab his hand and lead him towards the bar. I grab two flutes of champagne with strawberries; handing one to James as Sam walks up to us.

“You couldn’t find a band that plays music from the 40’s so you got Postmodern Jukebox to play this?” Sam asks, laughing as Postmodern Jukebox plays their cover of Blurred Lines.

“The only band I found that played that kind of music was already booked for tonight,” I explain, “I had to improvise.”

“They’re cover of Blurred Lines is quite laughable,” Sam laughs before turning towards James, who was awkwardly standing there as we talked. “You clean up nicely.”

James mutters a ‘thank you’ before sipping his drink. Sam turns and looks at me with a questioning look, silently asking me what’s wrong. “I’m fine Sam, honestly.”

“I saw Ben earlier,” he states, “it took everything in me to not go over there and kick his ass from here to kingdom come.”

“He called me today,” I tell him, “I knew he was coming. It doesn’t bother me that he’s here, honestly it doesn’t.”

“If he bothers you, let me know ok?” He asks. I just nod in response. He kisses my cheek before walking over to Steve and Isabella.

“Are you two….” James starts, trying to find the words.

“Together?” I ask, earning a nod from James. “No, Sam and I are just friends. He’s like a big brother to me, we’ve entertained the idea of being together but it never happened. We always realized we’re better off as just friends. Plus he’s terrified of my older brothers.” James laughs at my last statement. I wrap my arm around his metal one that’s hidden under his uniform and guide him to an empty table away from everyone.

“Thank you for bringing me here,” James says after a couple minutes.

“You’re welcome,” I smile. “I think it’s about time you have a little fun in your life.”

“I think you’re right,” he smiles.

“Does any of this feel familiar?” I ask, my finger tracing the rim of the flute.

“It does feel familiar,” he admits, “I feel oddly at ease. But then again I always feel at ease around you. It’s hard to explain.”

Butterflies make their comeback this time accompanied by not only a smile but a blush. I quickly avert my gaze from his just in time to see Ben coming our way. The butterflies disappear and my heart stops when his gaze meets mine and a smirk appears on his lips.

“Erin, baby!” He yells, gaining the attention of the other party-goers. “I’ve been looking for you all night.” He’s already drunk by the looks of it; as well as the smell of it. The smell of bourbon is coming out of his pores.

“Go away Ben, before you make a scene.” I calmly say, not leaving my chair like I would have done before.

“Come on, baby don’t be like that.” He slurs, “I’m sorry for everything I put you through.”

“You’re drunk Ben,” I tell him. I notice Sam in the background getting ready to pounce and I glance over at James and see he’s the same way.

“Erin,” Ben’s voice get’s harsher as he makes his way closer to me but is stopped when James steps in between us. “What do we have here? A new pitbull?”

“Go away, Ben!” I say, standing up but still remaining behind James. I look down and see James’ metal hand balling up into a fist. “Please, don’t make a scene. James is a friend that has a bit of a record.”

“You certainly know how to pick them,” he chuckles, “where did you find this one? Work?”

“Leave her alone,” James finally speaks, “I won’t ask you again.”

“What are you going to do pretty boy? Hurt me?” Ben laughs as James’ muscles tighten. I look over and find Steve, our eyes meet and I silent tell him we need to get James out of her. He just nods but doesn’t move. He probably wants to see how this ends up. I do too but I don’t want to risk Ben’s life on an experiment.

“James, how about we dance?” I suggest, putting a hand on his shoulder; instantly causing him to loosen up. “Ben’s not worth the aggravation.” James looks back at me and nods, sending me a weak smile. “Come on,” I smile grabbing his metal hand and guiding him out onto the dancefloor. Steve shoots me a smile before turning his attention to Isabella. Disaster averted.

“Sorry about that,” James as as we begin to dance to the slower song that’s playing. His metal hand on the small of my back, gently pushing me closer to him. “Something came over me when he started getting closer to him.”

“It’s fine,” I smile as we sway to the music. “Ben is my ex, he’s caused a lot of trouble the last year or so.”

“He’s the one you were talking to, wasn’t he?”

“Yea, he was.”

“He was the man that destroyed all your happiness, wasn’t he?”

I look up at him and smile, “you remembered me telling you that?”

“Of course,” he smiles, “despite popular belief, I do pay attention to what you say.” I say nothing and continue to dance slowly to the music, even placing my head on his chest. I know people are watching us, Ben included, but it doesn’t bother me. And I’m sure it doesn’t bother James either.

**

“You didn’t have to walk me to my door.” I giggle as James walks me up to my door. I had one too many drinks and Sam offered to drive my car back before getting a ride home with Steve.

“What kind of date would I be if I didn’t walk you home?” He asks, flirting and being carefree; something I’m sure was natural for him back in the day.

“I’m a big girl, James, I can take care of myself,” I smile at him. “But thank you, it’s nice to know you care.”

“I also wanted to make sure Ben wasn’t going to hurt you,”

“That’s sweet.” I tell him. “Thank you though, I think I’ve got it from here.”

“See you Monday?” He asks, hopeful.

“See you Monday, James.” I smile before leaning close enough to him to give him a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll be looking forward to hearing about your weekend come Monday.”

“I’ll be looking forward to sharing.” He smiles before walking back to the car. A blissful sigh escapes my lips as I walk back inside, locking up right behind me.

I walk into my kitchen and see a shadowed figure sitting at my kitchen table. My heart stops as I try and find the light switch. But when I turn the light on my fear is replaced with anger when I see who the person is.

“What are you doing here?”

Notes

Erin

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So who do you think is sitting in Erin's kitchen?