Ignoring my remark, Peter continues. "I googled him, by the way. He's old, dude!"

I let out a laugh. "You make it sound like the man is fifty or something", I remark, speeding away from the traffic light once it turns green. I am already a bit behind schedule because of some missing fabric and sketches at work. That set my planning back for almost an hour, so I couldn't go home to change into formal wear or something nice.

And in all honesty, I had the vaguest idea that my day wouldn't go as planned, so I put on a pair of black jeans with a blue blouse, and black turtleneck tucked in the jeans. And with the first jacket I saw, which is an oversized leather one, it's sure a look.

"Did you also hear what happened to his arm?"

"Peter, I know nothing about this man other than how he looks, so do tell." I pull up to the parking lot of the restaurant. I cut off the engine and look at the crowd inside, seeing if I can see my parents somewhere.

"So, it turns out he has a prosthetic arm made of metal. I've seen pictures, it looks really cool." I can practically hear through the phone that Peter's bouncing around.

With a sigh, I reach behind the driver's seat and grab the pair of emergency heels. I always have those in my car. "Yeah well... okay. Thanks for the information, I guess." I take my phone out of its holder, holding it to my ear as I step out of the car. "I've got to go. How about lunch tomorrow? With MJ, Ned, and Shuri. I heard she is in town." 

I walk up to the restaurant and set a time with Peter before ending the call. I immediately text the group of the plans as I enter the restaurant.

"I have a reservation at seven", I greed the host with a polite smile while glancing at my watch. 19:20. Not too shabby.

"Under what name, ma'am?" The host starts to flip through the black reservation book.

"(Y/L/N). My parents are already seated if I'm correct." 

The host nods and motions for me to follow them. They bring me to a table in the back. 

As I approach the table, I first get noticed by a familiar face. Brown hair, a slight beard, and deep-set eyes. Which light up as soon as they fall on me.

James Barnes stands up, making everyone at the table look at him in surprise before realising why he stood up.

"Hello, I am so sorry I am late. Work was hectic, and the traffic was none the better. (Y/n) (Y/L/N)." I hold out my hand for a handshake.

James shakes it politely, a soft smile on his lips. "Nice to meet you. James Barnes." He holds my hand longer than he's supposed to. As he realizes that he is still holding my hand, James quickly let go, letting his hand drop next to his body.

Ignoring the awkward handshake, I move towards his father. I shake his hand with a smile and say something along the way of it being nice to see him again.

"Couldn't you stop by your apartment to put on a more appropriate outfit?", remarks mom and I roll my eyes.

"Nice to see you too, mom. No, I couldn't. Pietro lost a pretty important shipment of fabrics, so that had to be found." I shrug off my jacket, placing it over the backrest of the last empty seat, in front of James and next to my father. Mr Barnes is next to James while mom sits at the head of the table with a judging look on her face.

"Do you work in the shipping industry?", asks Mr Barnes, his eyes focussed on me as he takes a sip of his drink.

I run a hand through my hair. "No, I am a fashion designer at my own brand, Aeon. We are currently mid-production for our new collection, the whole design and production team are under a whole lot of stress."

Dad perks up. "Yes! Her new collection will be shown in three months in Chicago." He smiles proudly as he pats my thigh under the table.

"What do you design?", asks James, interest shown in his eyes.

"I focus mainly on tailoring. Suits, dresses, formal wear. All that jazz. And you, what do you do for a living?" I reach for the drink that's already placed above my plate. I glance at my dad and give him a thankful smile, knowing he ordered it for me.

"Oh, I am into the real estate business. I own a couple of buildings on the Upper East and West Side and Hell's Kitchen, also a few estates in Brooklyn." James lists off his listing, but it doesn't sound braggy at all.

I let out a soft gasp at the mention of Brooklyn. "I love Brooklyn! Ever since I was little I would dream of living there."

James leans forwards with an excited smile on his face. "I am from Brooklyn. We lived there for how long?" He turns to his father.

"You’ve lived with us for twenty long years”, Mr Barnes teases, making my parents chuckle. “Our family has been living in Brooklyn for generations." His father turns to me. "You will fit well there."

"Where do you live now?", asks James before I can form an answer to his father's remark.

"Greenwich Village, just a few blocks away from Washington Square Park. My studio is just around the corner, so that's a pro."

"What are the cons." I see James thinking. He's using his realtor brain of his to imagine what is wrong.

I lean backwards, my lips forming into a mischievous smile. "Believe it or not, and it's going to blow your mind. It's not Brooklyn."

To my surprise, the dinner went smoothly and before I know, it's time to go. Our parents ushered us outside while they figure out how to paying will go.

"It was really nice meeting you, James." I turn to him with a bright smile, my hands in the pockets of my jacket. It has cooled down significantly since I entered the restaurant and I shiver.

"Do you wanna, like- I mean, if you're not busy... We could get lunch? Or even just coffee since you seem very busy at the moment?" James suddenly turns a slight shade of red. "I would like to get to know you better."

"Of course, I would love to. I have this Thursday time for lunch, I believe." I check my agenda with a frown. "Yup, for two hours I am completely yours."

I bite my lip at my comment. Great, how to make it weird 101.

"Wonderfull. I'll pick you up... where should I pick you up?" He scratches the back of his neck with a boyish smile on his face.

"Let me AirDrop my contact details and those of my studio. You do have an iPhone, don't you?" I narrow my eyes in fake suspicion.

James laughs. "Do you think I am a barbarian?" He takes out his phone as I AirDrop the contacts to his phone. He does the same for me for his personal information and that of his office.

"See you next Thursday, then. Around noon." He pulls me into a curt hug as our parents walk out of the restaurant. Blood rush to my cheeks as I watch James and his father leave, waving goodbye at me before getting into the car and driving off.

"What did I tell you?" Dad comes to stand next to me and nudges my side.

I bite my lip and roll my eyes. "Fine. He's a nice guy. Are you happy now?" I give him a kiss on his cheek, doing the same to my mom before walking towards my car.

"As long as you're happy, we will be too dove!", dad calls after me before I close my car door, a wide smile on his face.

I slip off my heels and throw them on the back seat, putting the car in reverse and speeding away.