She enjoyed watching him from the corner of her eye. His quick movements. His surprising flexibility despite how rigid his posture remained.
A small smile lit his face as he approached guests, but every time he passed her, it grew just a little wider. Became a bit more sincere rather than just professional courtesy.
She bit her lip as she watched him dance around the room, making graceful exits and entrances from the constant swinging servants’ door. It was the first time she actually took notice of the service. How they moved about with such care and skill especially with the more… ill-bred guests that littered the floor.
At least when she had to deal with them, she could be as politely rude as she wanted. They had to maintain smiles and service no matter how much they’d rather rip their own hair out.
She grimaced at the thought.
Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t see his approach.
“Ma'am?” Like a deer in the headlights, her eyes locked with his and she couldn’t stop her jaw from slightly dropping at being face-to-face with him once again.
Rather than being amused by her shock, he seemed more concerned. After all, the last time they had played this game, he had been the one a bit lost.
“Sorry, yes?” She snapped back, instinctively smiling his way.
“Would you like a drink?” He emphasized his question by bringing the tray around in front of him, letting her see the same selection they always had.
“No, thank you.” He bowed his head and stepped away.
She kept to herself, standing by chatty groups to pretend engagement while she watched the workers around her move. One in particular of course.
His clothes were the typical for a waiter and she’d much rather see his hair naturally fall rather than be strictly brushed back. Maybe wash out that gel put him in some dark jeans and a comfy tee.
He’d look handsome.
After a quick word from their hostess, they were welcomed into the dining room for dinner and dessert. Then, they’d proceed to the auction room.
Unfortunately, those at her table pulled her into conversation and she had very few chances to glance about the room. He came by only in the beginning and their fun game had ended before it barely even begun.
No chance to fluster him.
Then, as people began to leave and find their seats for the auction, he came from the kitchen, glass in hand.
“Here you go, ma'am.” A glass of Sprite set before her.
“Thank you.” Not wanting to miss a chance, she leaned her head back, a grin spreading across her face as she played with her golden earring. His eyes dilated in response and she watched as he sucked in a small breath.
“My pleasure.” His hand reached out, fingers tracing her upper arm.
This time he wasn’t about to let her get the best of him. A part of him regretted never attempting to touch her. To reciprocate. Especially after he realized her intentions weren’t to mock him, but to simply have a fun exchange throughout the night. Something he had hoped they’d have tonight.
He was more than just glad he had caught her eye tonight. He wondered who would find who first. Part of him wanted to surprise her, catch her off guard like she had done to him. The other part wished she’d catch him with that flirtatious smile leaving him just as baffled as the first time they met.
Unlike last time, her dress had sleeves that went to her elbow and rather than be floor length, it stopped just above her knees. Her knee-high boots covered the rest of her legs and together, they left little flesh exposed. That didn’t mean the black fabric hugging her buxom body didn’t highlight the flare of her hips… among other things.
She donned a sweet, pink lipstick rather than the seductive red and decorated herself in thin gold instead of expensive diamonds. Gold shells dangled from her ears in a diamond formation and a thin golden chain with the tiniest gem fell to her ample breasts.
At his touch, her smile faded but the glint in her eye remained.
“Have you enjoyed your night?” He pulled away, his professionalism falling back into place.
“Hmmm…” Not backing away, she reached out to grab his wrist in a light hold, “the night’s not over yet, so who knows.”
His eyes widened and red crept into his cheeks. In her hand was a torn napkin and she casually slipped it into his own.
“I… I see. Enjoy your drink, ma'am.” He stiffly bowed, his stoic reserve firmly in place.
The last time he had done that, she had figured he no longer was interested in the game or she made a grave miscalculation. However, she didn’t think that was the case.
Turning, she noticed the hostess quickly making her way to the vacant table.
She took a sip of her Sprite, smiled comfortingly his way, and stood to greet the older lady.
“I hope everything is alright?” The stern tone cut through the air like a knife and made her sweet smile cold.
“Oh yes, I must say, you’ve hired one of the politest catering services.” That shocked her enough to drop the icy smile.
“Really?”
“Yes.” She stood, taking her drink with her, and passed the hostess on her way to the auction room. “Such courtesy to check on me, but I assure you, I prefer to take my time rather than rush with the crowd.” She winked his way, giving the best joyous smile she could to the hostess.
“I see. Please enjoy the auction.”
She left them, but despite her act, her heart rested in her throat. Their game might have just got him into trouble and unlike last time, this hostess had been watching her staff with a keen eye. Perhaps that’s what kept him away most of the night.
A pout formed on her lips before she could stop it. Hopefully, he’d keep her number hidden away.
She didn’t care much for the auction, but she knew that if a few of her friends heard she’d be there, they might be more inclined to show up. Besides, it was a charity event that she intended to support fully and did through private donations.
She didn’t get to see him as they filed out and back to their cars. A taxi took her back to her condo and much to her disappointment, her phone laid silently by her side.
Around an hour after being home and after dressing down into a pair of leggings and an overlarge t-shirt, her phone buzzed with a single message.
Hope your night got better
A grin lit her face and she sat up on the couch, muting the television.
It just did
She furrowed her brows, realizing they’d never properly introduced themselves to one another.
I never caught your name and calling you servant boy probably isn’t the best
She scowled at the sent message, regretting her half joke already.
Oliver and you are?
He didn’t seem to mind, beginning his text with a laughing emoji. It eased a bit of the tension in her heart.
Ava. So Oliver wanna make my night even better?
She updated his contact in her phone and turned off the TV. Nothing on was interesting anyway.
How could I do that?
Ava texted her address and waited for his response. Once Oliver said he was on the way, she put on a pot of coffee and waited. She made sure to tell him to come casual.
A soft knock on her door had her jumping from her spot by the breakfast bar and dashing to the door. Excitement tightened her stomach.
Peeking first to confirm, Ava bit her lip at the sight of him standing awkwardly outside her door. He wore a long sleeve tee and faded jeans.
“Hey,” she smiled, pushing down her nervousness and opened the door wide.
He licked his chapped lips as he drank in her image. His eyes wanted to roam over her outfit, but he opted to look past her instead, embarrassment creeping up his neck. She wasn’t wearing anything scandalous by any means. Comfy and casual with her hair unbound and that same twinkle in her eye that left him flustered.
Oliver’s eyes bounced over the plush, leather U- sectional couch behind her to the obviously customized kitchen. Real leather. Quarts countertops. Things he definitely couldn’t afford.
“I feel like I’m walking into a lion’s den…” His words were low and anxious as he forcefully kept his gaze away from her beguiling smile.
Oliver wanted to be here. Why else would be standing outside her condo when it was almost one o'clock in the morning?
It was a bit on impulse that he rushed here after her text, but now that he was confronted with actually entering…
She would have been insulted if his anxiety wasn’t so obvious with his hands twisting the end of his shirt and how he never looked her in the eye. It hadn’t taken him very long to get here. Just under twenty minutes.
Ava wasn’t about to let that stop her. He was there, dressed casually with the gel out his hair, though still damp and falling a bit into his eyes, and while she would have preferred a dark pair of jeans on those long legs, faded worked just fine. And he did look handsome, if a bit uncomfortable, out of that stiff and boring uniform.
Grinning, she pulled him inside by his collar, much to his surprise, “maybe. Do you like coffee? Tea?”
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