TO HAVE & HAVE NOT

14

Olivia

"That's the dress, Olivia!" CeCe cheered when I stepped out of the dressing room in a form-fitting black dress that clung to my curves in all the right places. The fabric shimmered subtly under the bright lights of the boutique, giving me a sense of elegance I had never felt before.

"Yeah?" I said, running my hands over the expensive fabric, the smoothness sending little shivers of excitement through me as I admired my reflection in the mirror. The dress seemed to transform not just my appearance but my entire demeanor; I felt a spark of confidence igniting within me.

"You'll knock him dead," CeCe smirked from behind me, her eyes wide with excitement and approval. I couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm, excited for the evening ahead.

"You think so?" I asked, my voice a mix of curiosity and hope.

"He won't be able to resist," she said confidently, her expression unwavering as she leaned closer, her eyes gleaming with mischievous encouragement.

The event was set in an exclusive art gallery in downtown Los Angeles, where the lights were dimmed just enough to create an air of intimacy yet bright enough to showcase the vibrant colors of each masterful painting. I stood in my elegant dress, feeling utterly transformed as if I had stepped out of one of the canvases that surrounded me, my usual self drifting far away. My hands trembled slightly as I mustered the courage to approach him.

I gently stepped up behind him and shared a space beside him, my gaze fixed on the painting before us, "Oh, it's lovely, isn't it?" I remarked casually, hoping my voice would break the tension in the air like a fine mist.

"It's my favorite painting," he replied, his focus still on the artwork, making it impossible to read his expression.

"Really? Michael Conrad is my favorite, too," I said, glancing at him before returning to the canvas that captivated us both.

Suddenly, I felt his gaze pierce into the side of my face, and I turned to meet his eyes—deep, soft, and grounding. "Leo," he introduced himself, extending his hand with a confident yet gentle air. I grasped his hand, feeling an electric spark that sent a shiver through me. "What's your name? I don't believe we've met before. I think I'd remember a pretty face like yours if I'd seen you before," he grinned, his smile lighting up the room.

"Olivia," I replied, allowing a sheepish smile to escape my lips.

"Olivia," he repeated, letting the name roll off his tongue as if savoring it while noticing the compliments that followed, "Beautiful dress, by the way."

A blush crept into my cheeks at his words, and I offered a quiet "Thank you," feeling both flattered and shy. "I like your tie," I said, almost instinctively brushing my fingertips along the fabric, feeling its smoothness under my touch.

His gaze darkened momentarily, and I met his eyes again, the chemistry between us palpable as he asked, "Where are you coming from?"

"I've just moved from New York," I said, my voice steady despite the butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

"What made you move to LA?" he genuinely asked.

"Work...I was on Broadway, but I'm moving from Broadway to film," I explained, catching the intrigue in his eyes. Leo smiled and nodded, understanding the leap I was taking.

As the night unfolded, we lost ourselves in laughter and shared glances, sipping glasses of expensive champagne as the world blurred. Each moment felt like a brush stroke on the canvas of a beautiful memory we were painting together. Eventually, as the evening drew close, we found ourselves exchanging numbers.