Gallery of Hearts

Chapter 7

Hannah's wedding comes and goes in a blur. I got the perfect picture for her painting and the ceremony was beautiful. The after party was also good fun. I got to catch up with old friends and I talked to Liam some more. The cake was delicious too. Before I knew it, I found myself back in my hotel, ready for bed again. 

It's now Sunday morning. My flight isn't until later tonight so I have time to get myself around the town and sketch for my painting. I'm also meeting with Hannah for a late lunch and she's driving me to the airport.

I walk around the streets and find myself reminiscing about my childhood as memories unfold right before me. Each and every corner holds a story, most of them with Hannah. I pass one of the piers and I'm instantly drawn to it. The events that took place down this pier made me who I am today, from elementary school play dates to late night high school parties. Mornings I would spend with my mom walking on the sand of the beach, pointing at flowers, and afternoons I would spend with my dad splashing in the waves of the ocean. Back when they were still married and I didn't have a worry in the world. I find a quiet spot to sit and sketch out a few outlines from different angles. This was the spot. This would be my painting. Once I gather my ideas, I walk to meet Hannah for lunch at a local café with my sketchbook in hand and a list of events to revisit with her as we caught up on the past 6 years.

I told her all about Oliver from how we met to the other day in Central Park. I told her how I was mad at him for being an artist hater and how he ended up being one himself. You will love to learn Valor Rignet, Oliver. She was so excited for me and wished she could meet him. Time flew as we sat there chatting away. Eventually we had to go so I could catch my flight back home. She dropped me off and we said our goodbyes, tears included. Plenty of tears. I didn't realize how hard it would be leaving her a second time but I promised it would be less than 6 years until we met again. As the plane took off, I said my goodbyes to Michigan.

I arrived back in New York late at night and was dying to get to my bed. Sunny was spending his last night with Marco so they didn't have to stay up and wait for me to land, plus Sunny loves Marco. I couldn't even think about unpacking and jumped into bed almost instantly upon returning to my apartment. It was one of the best sleeps I've had in a while.

♡

I feel the sun shining through my sheer curtains in the morning and stretch. I check my phone. I slept in late today but I needed it. I had to get ready for the day and pick up Sunny. As soon as I was washed and dressed, I walked to Marco's and he had Sunny ready for me. 

"Thank you so much again, Marco. You're the best." Marco waves his hands around.

"No, Sunny is. And it's not a problem. We had a great time." I chuckle as I greet my cat. I missed him so much.

                                                                                              ♡

I put Sunny on the floor and he jumps on my bed to relax. I begin going through my suitcase and start on my laundry. I unpack my art supplies and finish Hannah's painting in a few hours so I can get it to her and Adam as soon as possible. I'm also just excited to get into my painting for the exhibit. I'll have to show Oliver my sketches. Oliver. I need to see him. I don't even know where he lives or where he works. I don't even have his number. Where could I find him? Think... Think... SoSpec! He could be visiting the gallery. Artists love revisiting galleries, especially if they're in a painting slump. I stop what I'm doing and change into a better outfit than sweatpants and a tank top. I put on a flowy pink mini dress and brush my hair out.

"I'll be back Sunny!" I say as I run out the door.

I arrive at SoSpec shortly after and start to walk around all the exhibits, avoiding Valor Rignet's, that's the last place I'd find Oliver. I search and search but feel at a loss. I walk around for 20 minutes and come up with nothing. Since I'm here, I may as well visit my favorite piece. I find it in the same spot as always and sit on the bench in front of it. I can't believe Oliver and I never exchanged numbers. What if something happened to him? I wouldn't even know. I stare at Rignet's storm and feel a pang of worry eat away at me. Even if he's okay, what are the chances of running into him again? I look at my phone's blank screen, praying I'll suddenly get a call from him. I put my phone back in my purse and stare some more. I just need a singular pink flower right now. Just a little bit of hope.

Suddenly, a hand gently grabs my shoulder and I turn around to meet the gaze of the familiar face that instantly rids me of my worries. I quickly stand up. Oliver.

"Ivy," his reassuring voice says. "I was hoping you'd come here."

"Oliver," I breathe out in almost a whisper. Without thinking, my arms wrap around his waist, and his arms go around my shoulders, pulling me closer.

"I was looking for you," he states as he pull away.

"How'd you know I'd be here?" Oliver lifts his head to the wall and I follow his eyes to the storm and lone tree.

"Just a good guess." He smiles and I laugh.

"We need each others numbers. I couldn't contact you at all since Central Park. I had no idea if I'd even find you when I came back."

"Missed me that much Bennett?"

"No...Just a little." I feel myself blush. He puts his hands on my cheeks and leans in for a kiss.

"I think I missed you more."

We walk around the city catching up with each other on the past week. I tell him about Hannah's wedding and how beautiful the venue was along with how strange it felt to be with that crowd again. After a few hours pass, we stop at a corner.

"You want to get dinner together?" Oliver asks.

"I would love that. I think I have just the perfect place." I say with a bright smile. Oliver grabs my hand and his fingers intertwine with mine.

"Lead the way then."

                                                                                                 ♡

I push open the door and the familiar bell jingles as I enter, Oliver's hand still locked in mine. A few seconds pass before Marco steps out.

"Ivy!" His hands are up in the air and he puts them down as soon as he spots Oliver, the smile still left on his face. "And who may this be?"

"This is Oliver." I say. Marco walks towards us and sticks out his hand for Oliver. He lets go of mine and reaches for Marco's.

"Nice to meet you." Oliver says politely. 

"The pleasure is all mine. Any friend of Ivy's is a friend of mine. Although I'm practically this girl's bodyguard. I mean if something happened to her this city wouldn't see the end of it. Especially if it was a boy-"

"Okay!" I say putting that conversation to a halt. "We're here for some dinner actually."

"Grab a seat! What can I get you Oliver?" Oliver turns to me and I whisper.

"I get a slice of margarita pizza every time I'm here. He's probably already got it ready on deck for me."

"That sounds pretty good," he whispers back.

"Oliver will have the same as me," I call to the kitchen, while leading Oliver to a booth. "Marco is practically my dad. I met him the first day I moved into my apartment and he's been apart of my life ever since."

"That's really nice, Ivy." Our hands brush up against each other on the table and I feel his shoe against mine. He always keeps such close contact. 

Marco comes out with our pizzas and winks at me. "I hear you two met at SoSpec. An artist?" 

Oliver turns to me grinning. "You talk about me?" He says, ready to have his ego boosted. I put my head down in embarrassment.

"Ivy's always had an eye for beauty, haven't you?" Marco turns to me and pushes me with his elbow.

"Pizza looks great Marco. Thank you," I say giving him the 'leave us alone now' eyes. He laughs and disappears into the kitchen.

"I like Marco," Oliver says still grinning. I roll my eyes. They're gonna get along just fine. Our conversation begins to flow and Oliver brings up my painting. "So...how did your trip to Michigan help with your painting?"

"Oh my gosh it was perfect. I have my idea all sketched out and everything. I could use some critiques if you're ever around," I add.

"I'm always around for you, Bennett." The feeling I get when he looks at me and says my name is unlike any other.  We discuss some ideas more and I love what he comes up with. We finally finish our food and stand up to go to the register. 

"We'll leave the money on the counter," I yell out to Marco but he runs out to us.

"No! On the house."

"Marco, I can't let you do that."

"You have to!"

"At least let me pay," Oliver steps in. Marco turns and points his finger at him.

"Now that I can do. What a gentleman," he says facing me again.

We say bye to Marco and leave the restaurant. As we step outside Oliver grabs my hand again. His fingers intertwine perfectly with mine like they were made to be there. 

The sun starts to set and Oliver and I decide to go home. He leans down and gives me a kiss before we say bye. We got each other's numbers so we can actually keep in contact this time and won't have to worry about finding each other again.

I blush the whole way home thinking about him. When I get to bed, I stare at his contact and analyze his number. When I put my phone down to go to sleep, I hear it buzz. I pick it back up and check the screen.

Oliver: Goodnight Ivy

I smile at the words.

Me: Goodnight Oliver

I put it down and turn over, drifting off to sleep with him on my mind.