Upon arriving home she quickly took a shower and changed into silk pajamas. She set her phone on the counter and went to her computer to check her emails and get started on client work.
Hours later Olivia pushed away from her desk and stretched her arms above her head. She glanced at her watch and was surprised to see it was just after midnight. She rolled her head and got up to get a glass of wine. She was heating up some popcorn when she heard her phone buzz. She picked it up as saw a text from an unknown number.
Unknown number: Are you awake?
She replied-which she figured was answer enough-and asked the unknown number for their identity.
She didn't wait long to see a reply being typed.
Unknown: I would be wounded if I had programmed my number into your phone. :(
She smiled in response knowing that the number belonged to Fitz. She was pleasantly surprised that he had contacted her so soon. She added his number to her contacts and fired off a reply.
Liv: But you didn't, now did you. What was your name again?
She laughed as she wondered how he would react to her teasing. Her popcorn finished and she poured into bowl grabbing her wine glass and phone on the way to her couch.
Reaching for the remote she scrolled through the channels until she settled on a movie she had not seen in a while. She curled her legs underneath her as her phone started vibrating. She absently answered the call completely focused on the movie.
"Now, Liv, I hope you were joking when asked my name." Fitz's voice came through her phone and she could almost hear the smile in his tone.
"Of course. My mistake. Your name was...Michael right?" She waited a beat and heard a small rumble come through.
"No, guess again." He suggested it playfully this time. She continued to bait him.
"Oh! I know! It's Timothy! We had that great conversation about travel. You joked about whisking me away with you on your next adventure and it was-"
"Livvie, if you want me to remind you of my name, just give me your address and I'll be more than happy to remind you." His voice had dropped an octave.
She couldn't stifle the laughter that escaped at his suggestion. "You're shameless, Fitz. Of course I remember your name."
Muting the television she reached for another handful of popcorn.
"Good. Now tell me this Timothy guy doesn't exist. I can't have you being whisked away before we get to know each other."
"Fitz! You are too much." She laughed again and took a sip of wine. "As far as I know Timothy doesn't exist so no worries there."
"Now we're talking. So what are you doing, Liv? Busy night?" He asked, genuinely interested in her response.
"Actually yes. It has been a busy week as usual but getting away to the bar was a welcome break. I've just gotten through reviewing things for my current client." She took another sip of wine. "How about you, Fitz? Are you usually up this late or were you busy as well?"
He let out a deep chuckle. "I am usually up quite late. But tonight I had a good reason for staying up. Care to know?"
After downing another handful of popcorn she responded. "Sure, what kept you up tonight?" She heard him take a deep breath before he responded.
"You." It was a simple and concise answer. He waited for her response and leaned back in his recliner as he listened to her breathing sync with his. He looked at his muted television and watched the sports highlights.
"I want to get to know you better, Liv. I want you to know me. I want us to spend more time together. What do you think of that?"
She unfolded her legs and started pacing in circles in her living room. "I'm not sure what you want me to say. Do I find you attractive? Yes. Do I think we connect on some level? Of course. But I don't know you anymore than you know me-"
He got out of his recliner and walked over to his kitchen island and leaned forward on the counter. "That's exactly why I want us to get to know each other, Liv. No pressure. You pick a time and a place and I'll make myself available. I can see you're a busy woman. I admire that but I don't want you to think that your schedule will scare me off." He reached into his fridge and poured himself a glass of water.
"Livvie, we can text, call, video chat, or meet for coffee...whatever you're comfortable with. Just let me know this isn't completely one sided and we can get to know each other. This feels like something worth pursuing." He took downed his glass of water and waited for her to say something.
She listened to his reasoning as she continued to pace in circles. After moving the logic through her mind she stopped pacing and listened as they breathed in sync. It wasn't the first time it had happened. She had noticed it earlier that night as they danced.
"Yes, Fitz. I want us to get to know each other better." She smiled and lightly pressed her hand to her face to contain some of the excitement.
"That's great. Thank goodness you agreed. I was about to pull out the big guns if you had said no," he joked.
"Oh yeah? What exactly those big guns, mister?" She moved back towards the couch now at ease with her decision.
"I'll save those for when I really need to get you on my side," he teased. He moved back onto his recliner and leaned back. Liv finished off her popcorn and wine and went to her bedroom and laid down to continue their conversation.
They continued chatting about what they were watching and common interests. She was surprised to find out that he had a weakness for romantic comedies he was was equally surprised to find out that she loved action thrillers. Musically they connected through jazz, soul, R&B, easy listening, and 80s songs. They both loved dogs and traveling.
Hours had passed before he paused to ask if she was tired. Looking at her clock she was surprised to see that it was almost half past three.
"I can't believe we've been talking so long. I should head to bed soon. I have to meet with a client later on with my team." She barely managed to stifle a yawn.
"Well, time flies when you have good company. Get some rest, Liv. We'll talk later." He felt himself smile at the promise knowing he wouldn't wait long before reconnecting with her.
"Thank you for the conversation. Goodnight, Fitz."
"G'night, Livvie." They listened to each other breathe for a minute before she hung up smiling.
Fitz got up from his recliner and walked towards his bedroom. He grabbed the pull up bar in his doorway and knocked out twenty pull ups before he climbed into his bed.
He laid down on the right side of his bed. Liv laid in the middle of her bed and they both smiled thinking of each other as they drifted off to sleep.