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Sam couldn’t tell if Bucky was actually interested in his sister or if Bucky was just trying to rile him up. Regardless, Sam was about five steps away from shoving Bucky off the boat and acting like it was an “accident”. Seriously, did friendship mean nothing to this guy?! Wasn’t the number one rule in the bro code that sisters were off limits? Did this guy have no integrity?
The only thing stopping Sam from shoving off the boat was seeing how happy Sarah looked. He couldn’t remember the last time she looked so happy, smiled so big, seemed so carefree. From losing a husband to raising to boys to trying to keep the family business afloat…It was a lot for anyone. Even when Sam stepped in to help out, Sarah still felt so much pressure resting on her shoulders. But, even if Sarah was happy with Bucky’s flirting…that didn’t mean Sam had to be happy about it.
Even if it was Bucky, a person he considered to be his best friend. A person who was his best friend. But his sister and his best friend? No way. Not a fucking chance. There were boundaries. Family was off limits.
But, if he said anything? He knew it wouldn’t do anything. Hell, he had said something. And what did that get him? Bucky flirting with Sarah even more.
Perhaps he should’ve paid more attention to Steve when he said that Bucky could charm any woman he met. Sam just thought that Steve was over-exaggerating. Because, back then, Steve had no game. Hell, Steve barely had any game when Sam met him. Bucky probably could’ve gotten one girl’s number in front of Steve, and Steve would think that Bucky wooed the entire bar.
But goddammit that blond fucker was telling the truth.
“Bucky, I swear to god I’m going to—” Sam began to hiss when Sarah was out of earshot, having gone to get herself some lemonade.
“Oh, are we threatening Buck? Count me in.”
Sam whipped around, watching as a woman stepped onto the boat. She looked familiar in the same way a relative of a close friend looks familiar. He looked to Bucky, trying to see if Bucky recognized the woman. Bucky was groaning, shaking his head. They knew each other, it seemed.
“Not that I’m opposed to a beautiful woman showing up unannounced,” Sam said, “but who are you?”
“Y/N,” you said when you reached him, holding out your hand. “Y/N Barnes.”
Sam took your hand and brought it to his mouth without thinking, pressing a soft kiss to your knuckles. “I would say I’m happy to finally meet you, but Buck never mentioned you before.” Sam looked over at Bucky, raising a brow.“You never told me you had a sister.”
“Half-sister,” you corrected. Sam looked back at you. “Raised separately. I actually didn’t even know he existed until about a year or two ago.”
“Well, I’m sure you’re wishing you still didn’t know he existed,” Sam teased. “I’ve been trying to ditch him for years, but—”
“—he sort of leaches on and won’t let go? Trust me, I know the feeling.“ You smiled, flashing your pearly whites at him. And though Sam didn’t consider himself the nervous type, seeing your radiant smile made butterflies take off his stomach. “He invited me. I hope I’m not overstepping or anything?”
“Not at all,” Sam assured you. “Hey, do you want some lemonade or something? Sarah, my sister, just made some. I don’t mind getting you a glass.”
“That’d be wonderful, thank you,” you said.
Sam nodded, walking off in the direction Sarah had went. Behind him, he heard Bucky tell you “excuse me for a moment” before a flurry of footfalls came. Sam didn’t have to look to know Bucky was following him. “Can I help you?” he asked without turning.
“Dude, don’t flirt with my sister!” Bucky said.
Sam grabbed a glass, waiting for Sarah to finish pouring herself some lemonade. When she finished, he took the pitcher and poured a glass for you. He could tell that Bucky was getting antsy, waiting for some snarky reply. And while Sam did have one on the tip of his tongue, he thought it was more fun to see Buck sweat.
So, instead, he ignored Bucky, walking back over to you, Bucky still hot on his heels. “A lemonade for the lady,” Sam said, handing you the glass.
“Thank you, kind sir,” you said, smiling at him.
“Hey, I know we just met and all,” Sam said, smiling at you, “but would you want to go on a date sometime?”
“Absolutely not!” Bucky interrupted. “She doesn’t want to go on a date with you. She’s happy to be single.”
You ignored your brother, your smile growing wider. “Cold lemonade and an offer for a hot date? How could I ever say no?”
“Like this: NO. N-o, spells no,” Bucky said.
“Oh, what, you can flirt with his sister, but he can’t flirt with me?” you asked, looking over at Bucky. “Don’t dish it if you can’t take it.” To Sam, you said, “How ‘bout tonight, at eight, maybe?”
“Sounds perfect.”
“It sounds horrible!” Bucky said.
“I’ll see you then. Maybe sure to knock my socks off.”
“The socks are staying on!” Bucky said.
“Oh,” you said, “and maybe make sure Bucky can’t interrupt us, yeah? Hate to see him ruin a perfectly good date.”
“You already read my mind,” Sam laughed. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.”
“There will be no taking care of anything!”
Sarah finally made her way back to the rest of you. “Speaking of dates,” she said, “why don’t we go out tonight, too, Buck? There’s this local art gallery that just opened that I think you’d like.”
“But—” Bucky whipped his around, looking between you and Sam and Sarah. Finally, he groaned, and said, “That…Yeah, I’d actually like that. But he’d better not break my sister’s heart!”
“If anything, I’d be breaking his heart,” you teased. You looked at Sam, and added, “Not that I plan on it.”
“Oh, darlin’, you could break my heart and I’d thank you for it.”