She shrugs. “Microtrope, I guess. Although there are coffee shop AUs, too.”
“AU?” I don’t know what we’re talking about anymore, but if this conversation dies out, I’ll have to face my just-pretend romance with Reed going viral. That will either be a boost for our plans tolet it ride, or a huge disaster.
If my past relationships are any indicator, a huge disaster is barreling toward us.
“Alternate Universe,” she says. “Like instead of being superheroes, Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes are regular guys who work together in a coffee shop. It’s cute and cozy, and they fall in love over lattes.”
Reed blinks. “Cap and Bucky fall in love in these stories?”
Her expression might as well call him a naive baby. I’m well versed in this look. “You need to read more fan fiction.”
A couple of customers walk in, and I distract myself by pouring drinks. Of course, that makes me think about the video I just watched on repeat of myself doing the exact same thing. And the dreamy face Reed made while I was doing it.
I’ve wondered a few times over the last year-plus what Reed looks like when he’s totally relaxed. When he’s not stressed out over inventory or crowds or specialty drinks recipes he doesn’t want to learn. When he’s just…him.
I won’t say it’s a perfect fit, but that video was closer than I’ve ever seen him.
Lucy’s still by the counter when my customers take their drinks out the door. She hasn’t said anything to him that I’ve heard, but irritation is written in his lowered eyebrows and down-turned mouth. It’s his default look when she’s around. I’m pretty sure her goal is always at least a little irritation when it comes to him.
Younger sister hobbies, I guess.
“You two have managed to stay off the radar around town until now.” She drags me back into the conversation. “Because ofshame, I’m guessing. You didn’t want to be seen with this big lug.”
Her devious grin doesn’t do much for Reed’s annoyance. He stiffens up even more, like someone poured concrete over him. The only part of him that moves is a tic at the hinge of his jaw as he clenches his teeth.
This is probably generic sibling banter, but the urge to protect him from her ripples through me. He’s so stiff and aggravated, I just want to soothe him. Even if I’m kind of soothing him from myself.
Well. He did tell me to do what comes naturally. Now’s as good a time as any to start practicing.
I move close enough to press my side to his, looping my hand in the crook of his elbow. It takes a second, but his stony muscles relax beneath my touch. Barely, but it’s enough to make him feel human again.
“Actually, I’m kind of glad that video’s going around. I don’t want anyone getting ideas about my man.”
Reed snaps out of whatever’s got him in his head and locks eyes with me. He doesn’t give me anything. No dreamy smile. No exaggerated frown. I’d think I was making everything worse except for the way he subtly shifts his arm, bringing my hand flush against his side.
Like a hug for my hand. I’m counting it.
“Again, I’m sorry about trying to set him up.” Lucy aims a frown of her own at him. “If someone had just been up front about it, I wouldn’t have taken it that far.”
I hadn’t thought about that part. How long have we supposedly been concealing this from our friends and family? Is a short timeframe more believable or less? I have no clue.
“We didn’t want to say anything until we were official.” That’s a reasonable explanation, right? But Lucy’s gasp makes me second-guess that.
“So you’re official?”
Oof. I guess? Isn’t that the whole point of a pretend relationship? Exclusivity, no matter how fake.
I rest my cheek on Reed’s shoulder and put my other hand on his chest in an echo of what I did last night. Once again, this level of touch is immediately more than I’m prepared for. He’s warm and surprisingly soft, and even if he’s still standing stock-still, my insides flip as if everything happening is entirely real.
“He’s officially mine,” I tell her.
The butterflies in my stomach sure feel real.
“You guys are too cute.” Lucy sounds like Jovie did last night, all enthusiastic sweetness. Her heart-eyed look is pretty similar, too. “Can I get a picture?”
“No.”
That gets Reed to break his silence, at least.