The Art of Falling in Love
A Contemporary Romance
Chapter 1: A Sketch of Fate
Olivia never expected to see him again.
Not after ten years.
Not in an art gallery full of strangers.
And definitely not standing in front of her painting.
She froze, her heart slamming against her ribs.
Because the man studying the canvas—his hands tucked in his pockets, his dark eyes full of something unreadable—
Was Leo Callahan.
The boy she once loved.
The boy who left without saying goodbye.
And now, here he was.
Looking at a painting of their past.
Chapter 2: Colors of Yesterday
She considered walking away.
But Leo turned before she could.
His gaze locked onto hers, and just like that, ten years disappeared.
"Olivia," he said softly.
Her throat tightened. “Leo.”
He glanced at the painting again.
It was a watercolor—soft hues of blue and gold.
A quiet street. A boy and a girl sitting on a rooftop, watching the stars.
Their rooftop.
Their stars.
Leo exhaled. “It’s us.”
Olivia lifted her chin. “It was.”
Chapter 3: Painting the Truth
They found themselves at a corner table in a quiet café.
The words came slow at first.
Then faster.
Leo told her why he left.
Why he never called.
His family had moved overnight—no warning, no chance for goodbyes.
And when he finally had the chance to return, too much time had passed.
Or so he thought.
Until tonight.
Until he saw the painting and knew.
Knew she had never truly forgotten either.
Chapter 4: A Blank Canvas
The café grew quiet around them.
Leo traced the rim of his coffee cup.
“I never stopped thinking about you,” he admitted.
Olivia’s breath hitched.
She had spent years painting her heartbreak.
But maybe—
Maybe it was time to paint something new.
Chapter 5: Love in Every Stroke
Leo walked her home that night.
And before she stepped inside, he hesitated.
Then, softly—
“Can I see you again?”
Olivia studied him.
The boy she had lost.
The man she had found again.
And finally, she smiled.
“Only if you let me paint you.”
Leo grinned. “Deal.”
Because some love stories are unfinished masterpieces—
Waiting for the right hands to complete them.
Epilogue: Our Forever Portrait
A year later, Olivia unveiled her newest painting.
A rooftop. A starry night.
And two figures, hands entwined.
In the crowd, Leo smiled at her.
Because this time—
He wasn’t just a memory.
He was hers.