Saturday came around and Fitz had made his decision.
He was going to attend Evelyn's party then join up with his friends afterwards.
Going through his closet he decided on a black button down shirt and dark blue jeans.
Fitz showed up at the house with a quality bottle of wine. He didn't want to show up empty handed.
"Mrs. Pope, you're looking lovely as always."
"Fitz! I'm glad you could make it."
"Uh, I brought wine. Is that okay?"
"It wasn't necessary but thank you. I'm sure we can make good use of this over dinner. Come on in."
He followed her through the house only to be stopped by Michael Pope.
"Son, I'd suggest you don't go out there. Rather enjoy something strong over here with us guys."
"What's out there?" Fitz asked with laughter in his voice.
"Females gushing over your work. Trust me, you don't want all that attention. They can be a little too much at times."
Evelyn popped her hand on her hip. "Michael are you jealous?"
"No dear. I'm just helping Fitz out."
"Whatever. Fitzgerald, let me just introduce you to my friends. I'm sure you'll even gain a client or two amongst them."
"In that case, lead the way."
The men all chuckled as Evelyn looped her arm through Fitz's.
Eventually Michael was right. Those women were all over Fitz but in a funny humorous way.
They loved his work and praised his talent.
When Fitz joined the men in the living room Michael handed him a whiskey.
"Here you go. I can see that you need it."
"Thank you." He laughed.
Fitz was wondering why he hasn't seen Olivia..or her fiancé, but then just minutes later he spotted her coming from upstairs.
There was another girl with her. They looked about the same age and the other girl had long red hair.
Olivia and Fitz made eye contact so she walked towards him.
"I'm seriously starting to get concerned about this little friendship between you and my mom."
He laughed wholesomely. "She's a great lady..reminds me of my own mother."
"Good, I'm glad you can handle her because she's a lot."
"How are you?"
"Great thanks. Oh, this is my friend Abby. Abby meet Fitz, the guy responsible for the makeover outside."
The two shook hands.
"Hey nice to meet you Abby."
"You too. Wow you're gorgeous." Abby was a straight forward kinda girl.
Olivia just rolled her eyes at her friend.
Unfortunately Abby had to leave just after they had dinner and couldn't stay for dessert.
After Olivia had walked Abby out she never returned and at the table Fitz really wasn't feeling the conversation amongst Evelyn and Michael's friends so he politely excused himself.
Walking leisurely out into the backyard, he found Olivia on the patio couch.
"Had enough in there?"
Fitz shrugged. "They're having conversations that I can't relate to."
"Sorry."
"For?"
"Leaving you in there with a bunch of old people. I had to make a call so I came out here. It's beautiful by the way."
"Thanks."
They both looked around admiring the landscape.
"Where's your fiancé?" Fitz asked, sitting down across from her.
"He had to work."
"Oh okay. So, are you guys getting married this year?"
"December, yes. And you, do you have anyone special in your life?"
"Does my dog count?" He asked making her laugh.
"I mean, I guess."
"Well to answer your question, no. I don't have anyone. I've been single for a while now actually."
"You enjoying it?"
"I wouldn't say that I'm enjoying it but it's fine."
They ended up talking for about 45 minutes uninterrupted until Fitz remembered that he still had to meet up with his friends.
He liked that it was so easy to talk to her. They were just sitting there having a casual conversation and learning a lot about each other.
"I should get going. I still have plans with some friends."
"So you're leaving me here with no one to talk to?"
He could tell that she was only joking but still felt the need to apologize. "Sorry."
"No it's fine, I was kidding. I'd love to go home right now as well but my car went in for a service so I'm gonna have to wait for Tyler to come and get me."
"Oh.. But how did you get here?"
"Abby."
"I see. Look if you don't want to wait too long I could drop you off. It's not a problem."
"That's nice of you Fitz but I--" The ringtone of her phone interrupted her mid sentence.
Fitz didn't move and waited for her to finish her call.
From what he could make out Tyler wasn't going to stop by any time soon.
"Sorry about that." She sighed.
"Everything okay?"
"Yes, Tyler just has to work late. Another story just broke and they need him on it."
"What is it that he do?"
"Oh he's a photojournalist."
"Yeah that means working unpredictable hours, right?"
"Correct."
"Well I haven't left yet and my offer still stands."
"You have to go and meet up with your friends though and honestly I don't want to be a burden. I'll just hang around here."
"Come on, I insist. Your fiancé won't mind would he?"
"Oh no. He's not the jealous type. We're both very secure in our relationship."
"Alright then. So, am I giving you a ride home?"
"Okay. Thank you, you didn't have to."
They said goodbye to everyone inside and then left.
Luckily Fitz was driving his Mercedes and not the truck which had dog hair all over the passenger seat.
"You live here?"
"Yeah why?"
"My sister used to live just two streets down before she got married. It's a lovely neighbourhood isn't it?"
"It really is."
He pulled up into the driveway and killed the engine.
"There you go Ms. Pope."
"Thanks again."
She was supposed to leave but they were caught in an intense gaze.
Olivia had never found an interest in another man since meeting her, now fiancé, Tyler.
She loved him and was happy with him.
She never thought about what was out there because he was enough for her.
But tonight she couldn't help but feel a little different.
There were so many things happening.
The way in which Fitz would stare into her soul during their conversation.
They way he listened intently to every single word she said.
He paid close attention. How? Well in the middle of their conversation he asked her if her favourite colour was green because on her right index finger she had a ring with an emerald stone. Every time he saw her she was wearing it. Her phone case was green and most of the decor at the spa was different shades of green.
She didn't know what to make of it. Hell, she might've even felt a little overwhelmed.
How could a total stranger be so attentive..? And she was pretty sure he wasn't a stalker because her gut told her so.
There was some sort of chemistry between them.
They had a 45 minute conversation but the way they just understood each other and would laugh at jokes that other people wouldn't even get was proof of their chemistry.
Everything she learned about him in those 45 minutes just made him so much more interesting. She was intrigued by this man.
Olivia wasn't planning on doing something stupid but she found it hard to break their gaze.
Fitz knew better than to react on what he was feeling.
She was engaged. He shouldn't.
Yet somehow he found himself leaning over the center console.
"Fitz.. what are you doing?" Her voice was in a whisper. Her breathing increased and her whole body felt like it was on fire.
Their faces were inches apart as they stared into each others eyes.
He looked for any hesitation. Any sign of dissent.
There wasn't any. Just what looked like curiosity and wonder.
So he dropped his head and pressed his lips ever so gently against hers.
A second. A single second. That's how short her response before she abruptly pulled away.
He could see regret on her face. Like she just realised what she was doing. And now he felt bad.
Olivia exited the car in a hurry without saying a word. She slammed the door louder then she probably intended to but Fitz totally understood her reaction.
He rested his forehead on the steering wheel, hating himself.
All he wanted to do was to apologize to her.
Fitz sped out of her driveway to join his friends.
His mission was to get drunk in order to forget about what happened.
He couldn't have her and he had to accept that.
One thing he wasn't going to do was purposefully ruin people's lives because of his simple crush.