a stirring invitation: (dear Harry Styles)

atlanta.

Niall James Horan was my new boss. He was a young blonde Irish man; hip, gorgeous, and the talk of the town. His art was impeccable and desired all over the world. Needless to say, I was busy from the moment I walked into my office.

He had a two story gallery downtown and my office was on the second floor. I was constantly on the phone; luckily, he knew this would happen so he had ordered me a new phone and service plan. I attended all local events with him - most people assumed we were dating, but that wasn't the case.

Niall was dating a singer called Selena. She was on tour over the summer, so I only met her once at her show in Atlanta and Niall had invited me backstage afterward. She was pleasant, but they wanted alone time, so I went to a club with her manager, Cherrie.

That's where I met Liam aka Big Payno. He was a local DJ who was trying to breakthrough the music scene. Cherrie took his business card and demo, promising to share it with Selena. Cherrie left soon after, but I stayed because I enjoyed the entertainment.

Liam came up to me when his second set ended and invited me out for a drink the next evening.

_________

"Hey honey, I'm going to the market, need anything?" I asked Liam as I grabbed my phone.

"I'm good, just finishing up the edits on this song," Liam answered with a smile.

It was the middle of August, we'd been seeing each other for about four weeks. The past two weekends, I'd stayed at his place. He had a cute one bedroom loft downtown near Niall's office, so I walked there after work on Friday.

I kissed his cheek before walking out the door. The heat of the Georgia summer still surprised me, but I loved it. As I walked to the market, I felt my phone buzz- Niall was calling.

"Yes, sir," I chuckled.

"Don't make me feel old! I'm calling because I left for Canada this morning and I won't be back for the small cocktail party tonight," he explained. "Think you could mingle at the gallery for a couple hours without me?"

"Sure, I will ask Liam to join me," I sighed. "I get paid extra, right?"

"Course," he laughed. "See you Monday."

_______

I rushed through the store so I could get back to Liam and be sure he'd accompany me to the party. I loaded my items on the belt; there were a few ahead of me, so I glanced at the magazines.

The cover of UsWeekly had Harry Styles on a sailboat with Raquel Manos, a supermodel. I rolled my eyes and secretly wished I could have just one date with him.

"Miss, your total is 21.94," the cashier told me.

I handed her my money, glanced longingly once more at the magazine, then left the store.

________

"Feel up to going to a cocktail party at the gallery tonight?" I asked Liam as I put the groceries away.

"Sounds great, babe," he grinned. "What will you wear?"

I paused as I remembered that I had nothing with me; I would need to leave the city to grab a dress.

"Guess, I will head home soon to grab something," I finished up in the kitchen and walked over to say goodbye.

"Babe, just go grab something at Bernstein's down the road," Liam pulled out his credit card.

My eyes widened, "I really don't mind driving home."

"It'll be on me, please" he kissed my lips and handed me the card.