Once they were finished eating, they sat face to face, each of them nursing the coffee he had purchased for them. Henry was looking sheepish, which wasn’t his natural appearance. Olivia had barely known him that long, but she knew without a doubt he wasn’t used to being in that position … he looked physically uncomfortable.
“So what I came here for wasn’t just to feed you,” he said, gazing down at the table between them. “Though, I enjoyed doing that too.”
His voice was so creamy that it made Olivia feel the bloom of a blush on her cheeks. She wanted to fall to her knees and say yes, yes. She accepted his apology and just wanted to feel his touch, but she remained as still as a statue. Her stubbornness was stronger than her desire, at that point, anyway.
Henry took in a giant breath and then met her eyes. The green shade of his glimmered from the sun’s rays peeking through the blinds of the studio, with various points of dim yellow fanning out from the sides. It looked like a painting Olivia wished she was talented enough to capture.
“I am deeply, deeply sorry for what happened last night,” Henry said. “It wasn’t my intention to make you feel used. I genuinely enjoyed our date, and being with you physically was even more of a gift.”
Henry stopped abruptly, having to swallow, searching for saliva and words to help him shoot the thoughts out of his brain and through his mouth. Olivia’s heart was pounding, the realness of the moment making her a bit frightened.
“I have never felt like this with anyone. I’m sorry,” he said, laughing a little. “It scares the shit out of me, but I think I better just come out and say it … I think I might be falling in love with you.”
Despite how startled she felt, Olivia remained in the chair with her legs crossed, her coffee cup balanced nicely on her knee. Her bare skin suddenly felt sparkly, like little bits of diamonds were scraping across her body. The weight of her chest was akin to a panic attack, which was something she had experienced before. But it was more positive and hopeful than that.
“Henry,” she said breathlessly. “Henry, I …”
Just as Olivia was speaking, someone burst through the front door of the studio. Two big and thick men who certainly did not belong in an art room.
Olivia shot up to stand along with Henry, who held out his hand in front of her, shielding her with his body.
“Can we help you?” Henry asked.
“Where is Olivia Jackson?” a man with a wide set of nostrils asked and narrowed his eyes on her.
“What do you want?” Henry forced out, his hand remaining in front of Olivia to keep her from moving.
“None of your business, pretty boy!” the other man with the unibrow replied.
“We’re here on behalf of Philodendron,” Unibrow said. “I think we can convince you to change your mind about the whole art show thing.”
Henry turned to look at Olivia, who merely shook her head. The men were big, and although she wasn’t ever a damsel in distress, she was happy that Henry was here with her.
“I think you better buzz off,” Henry said, gritting his teeth.
“Who the fuck are you?” Big nostrils said.
Olivia curled up behind Henry, feeling vulnerable, concerned that her rejection of that man earlier may have been a mistake. She hated feeling that way as a woman.
There was no more time to think as one of the men tried to push Henry aside but failed massively, with Henry shoving him back and smashing him into her art supply cupboard.