Colors stroke gently onto a white canvas, a hand holding the paintbrush with just the right about of force.

Up. Down. Side to side.

Blue. Yellow. Red. Green. Orange.

Long strokes. Short strokes.

As the colors blend into fabric of the same shades displayed. Chiffon rippling about in swift, sensual movement.

Aria lets the music lead her every move, pointing her toes and hands alike, her skirt her dancing accessory. Elongating her frame. Her hair whipping back and forth, beads of sweat crawling along her forehead and neck.

She rolls her hips as she hits the last beat with a sharp move.

Looking up at her reflection she lets out a laugh and walks over to where her water bottle and towel lay.

****

Liam stares outside his office window.

He shifts his pen from finger to finger. His gaze steady. Lost in the New York City skyline.

Liam’s secretary peeks her head in.

“Mr. Whitmore?”

“Yes?”  He says snapping out of it and standing. He buttons his suit jacket.

“The event starts in just a few short hours. I’ve got your tux ready. Would you like to change now?”

“Yes, thank you Anne.”

She smiles simply, flashing a perfect smile.  As she brings in his tux, hanging it on the edge of the door molding.

She then places a bag on the floor near his desk.

“Your shoes, sir.”

“I can always count on you,” He says with a small, flirtatious smile.

She smiles brightly as she stands politely waiting for any other instructions.

“Can I ask you a question Anne?”

“Of course, sir.”

Turning back toward his office view, Liam says- “What do you see?”

“I don’t quite know what you mean, sir?”

His eyes shift toward her and he smirks.

“Looking out this window right here, what do you see?”

Anne looks in front of her, and gives herself a beat. Gathering her thoughts.

“I guess- I see- city life. Busy. Busy. Busy- city life.”

“That’s true but that’s all below the surface. Straight across. Baby blue skies, with a peachy pink. Cotton candy white clouds. The sun beaming through, just before night sets in. There’s still this mixture of soft amber, fire red, and citrus orange. I see hope. Hope that below the commercial bluster, there’s still actually substance somewhere in this world.”

Anne looks over at him, as he appears lost in thought.

“I guess that’s one way to look at it,” she says a bit thrown by his in-depth interpretation.

Liam smiles and snaps out of his daze once again.

“I suppose so,” He laughs. “Thank you Anne. The suit will be all.”

“If you need anything else, please do tell me, sir.”

“I’m quite fine. Thank you.”

Anne nods and exits the room.

Liam looks back at the sky, pondering.

****

A FEW HOURS LATER…

Liam Whitmore waltzes into yet another swanky New York Business Mixer.

His hair sandy and blonde with some hits of red-slightly messy but neatly styled, his beard in the form of a light scruff. Ocean blue eyes glide across the room, taking everything in. Owning his black, crisp, perfectly tailored tux, Liam walks in further. Silver blue hues from the disco lights cast a glow on everything, the music rises. The energy is electric.

Aria rushes into the kitchen, her appearance clearly in disarray.

“Please tell me he doesn’t know I’m late,” she says to a female co-worker.

She makes a wincing face, as Aria can already feel what is in store for her, she turns slightly on her heel, as she finishes tying her apron around her waist.

Her boss stands there with his arms crossed, his stance dominant, overcompensating for his shortness.

“Late again Lenz. Surprise, Surprise.”

“Mr. Lee, I am so sorry, I lost track of time…I was at school-”

“Excuses. Get out there and serve the champagne.”

Aria lowers her head and grabs a nearby tray of glasses and a bottle of the finest champagne and heads toward the ballroom.

Passing by Liam, Aria walks the room, her black and white uniform somehow appearing slightly more put together then when she first arrived.

With a silver tray in her hand she walks up to guest after honorable guest to ask if they’d like a glass of champagne.

As she turns her back, Liam walks past again.

The room is cast in a sea of suits and pencil skirts.

Something Liam didn’t quite understand.

Is this a work function or a party? He wondered.

From the center of the room, the DJ speaks into the microphone-

“Ladies and Gentleman it is time to, kick off your heels, hang up your hats and feel the beat. Please welcome the sexiest women in the game- The Crystal Queens!”

Liam’s eyes glance to the center of the room as three toned women find their positions and strike a pose. As the beat is lifted they begin to sway to the music, their dresses whipping and swirling about, moving with them.

Aria’s eyes become transfixed as she involuntarily begins swaying along in the audience. Her hips moving side to side.

Her intense glare; a burning determination. A passion for dance. Liam looks over as his eyes freeze. Taking in her curves as his eyes glance over her. His pulse quickens, as he loosens his tie slightly.

Aria salsas in her place as she holds onto her tray, the champagne spilling over the sides.

Aria makes a sharp move with her hips, swinging around quickly, she crashes into a hard toned chest. 

She gasps as the champagne glasses fall off the tray- breaking, champagne spilling everywhere.

Aria shrieks and turns, meeting the bluest eyes she’s ever seen.

“Oh! I am- so sorry,” she says trying to compose herself.

“No worries, love.” Liam says in his British accent as he steadies her.

Liam smirks as he stares into Aria’s rich chocolate brown eyes.

Her knees buckle and Liam steadies her once again.

Standing in each other’s embrace, their gaze holding.

Mr. Lee- the stark little man that he is, rushes over, an instant mug on his face.

“What have you done now? Go get a broom and clean this up! You are such a klutz!”

Aria breaks from her trance.

 “Yes sir,” she says starting to rush off.

Liam instinctively reaches for her arm, gently stopping her.

The touch igniting a spark that sends a shiver up Aria’s spine and a shock to Liam’s heart.

“It was my fault mate, I bummed into her. No need to treat a lady that way.”

The man cowers.

“Of course Mr. Whitmore, my apologies.”

“I’m not the one you should be apologizing to,” Liam says stepping back.

Mr. Lee forces a fake grin, “My apologies.”

Aria smiles plainly.

“Now please, a broom. Before someone gets hurt.”

Aria nods as her boss walks away.

Aria’s eyes lift meeting Liam’s.

“Thank you, you didn’t have to do that.”

“I don’t think he should have spoken to you that way, it was an accident.”

“Unfortunately I’ve already gotten used to it,” she says shrugging.

“That is quite unfortunate. Beautiful girl like you, should be cared for with the utmost respect,” he says his lips curving into a smile.

“Thank you. That’s very kind of you to say,” she says blushing as she tucks a piece of her hazelnut colored hair behind her ear, her eyes avoiding his.

Liam holds out his hand.

“I’m Liam.”

Aria takes his hand in hers, shaking it gently.

“Aria,” she says smiling.

“Pleasure to meet you Aria.”

“Likewise,” She smiles.

Their gaze holds.

“I better get that broom, I can’t afford another strike with the boss,” she says with a laugh.

Liam nods, not letting go of her hand.

Aria looks up at him.

Their eyes locked for what seems like an eternity.

He feels her pull her hand, and he realizes, “Oh, sorry love.” He says shaking his head as he laughs he lets her hand go.

She smiles.

“Thank you again”, she says giving him a small wave as she walks off.

Liam’s eyes were transfixed the rest of the night, wherever Aria went they followed. Any move she made, he knew about it. He enjoyed her movements, even the most simplistic ones, like chatting with a co-worker, sipping a glass of water…the way she spoke, he could tell she was an animated storyteller. He was already annoyed by other men speaking to her, even if it was just to get a glass of champagne refilled. Aria was too busy trying not to knock anything else over to even notice that she had captivated an audience.

That night Liam lay awake in bed.

Her smiling face flashes in his mind., her hips swaying, the feel of her hand in his, and the quickening of his heart when they spent their brief moments together.

He smiles to himself.

****

THE NEXT MORNING…

Aria runs around her apartment half-dressed and in a frantic hurry, as she grabs a pair of jeans shifting them up her legs and over her curvy bottom.

Her cell phone rings.

“Hello!”

“Hey I’m downstairs,” her best friend Allie says from her car.

“I’m coming right down, of course I didn’t hear my alarm, and overslept.”

“Don’t sweat it, I’ll get us there on time.”

Aria smiles.

Aria and Allie walk into the dance studio.

Dropping her dance bag to the side, Aria takes her place in the room full of people.

A tall lean woman walks to the front of the room, and presses play on the radio. Aria and Allie stand on the dance floor, awaiting the beat to move them.

The instructor calls out- 5,6,7,8 and begins to dance and Aria follows. Her movements appearing almost effortless.

****

Liam walks into his office with two coffees in hand, as he passes Anne’s desk, and hands her one.

“Thank you Mr. Whitmore,” She gives him a gentle smile, her eyes sparkling.

“Eh, we’ve been through this! That’s my father’s name. Liam, call me Liam- Anne, please.”

“All due respect but, I can’t do that, sir,” she says smiling with a little giggle.

“Sure you can,” he says smiling as he walks into his office.

He glances up at a painting on the wall, and smiles to himself.

Sitting at his desk, typing away, he stops abruptly and sighs.

A knock is heard on his door.

“Come in,” he calls.

“Mr. Whitmore, would you like your lunch delivered, or will you be stepping out today?”

“Hmm. I’m probably going to have to work through lunch.”

“So Panera bread…you’re usual?”

“Yes please. Thank you.”

Anne smiles, going to turn away.

“Um Anne, do you happen to know who catered last night’s event?”

“Um…I believe it was City Sky Caterers.”

“Ok, thank you.”

Anne smiles and closes the door as she exits.

Liam types City Sky Caterers into his search bar.

He clicks through the catering website and comes up empty.

He sees – Like Us on Facebook and gets a light bulb idea.

Clicking on their Facebook page, he clicks through their pictures.

And instantly her smile stands out as he sees her posing in a picture with her co-workers.

Her name tagged as Aria Lenz. He clicks on it, opening to her private page.

“Well- hello Ms. Lenz,” he says his lips curling into a smile, he loosens his tie, leaning back in his seat, admiring her.

He reaches over to his work phone, and presses a button.

“Mr. Whitmore?” He hears Anne’s voice come through the intercom.

“I’ve changed my mind, I think I will step out for lunch.”

“Ok sir, no problem.”

YAYYYY, new short story series…”Move” coming your way!

I hope you enjoy and read along!

*I do not take credit for any images used in my edits or otherwise.*

-<3-