[Dedicated to amandaJtommo because you're the bestest!]

THE FIRST TIME I saw him was at a work do. Our first interaction wasn't quite like those that are often displayed in romantic comedies - it was anything but. The only thing that was mildly similar was the gaze we'd shared for a short period of time. That had been enough to make my stomach erupt into butterflies. Luckily, we were both standing at opposite ends of the room - he, with his girlfriend and other work colleagues and me by myself, serving finger food behind a table - so he hadn't managed to catch my not-so-subtle sigh of affection.

I like him, I'd found myself thinking throughout the entire evening. Just everything about him, from the way he confidently held himself to the way he smiled at whoever he was conversing with, instantly made me like him. I hadn't even had the chance to talk to him before I'd decided that he was definitely worth obsessing over. I found myself thanking God for having all the departments being invited to the party.

The work do was to celebrate the retirement of Norman Phillips - who had worked in repairs for ten years - and it just so happened that everyone from the entire company had been invited to wish him the best of luck with whatever he moved on to do. Therefore, I found myself ogling at the stranger from the finance department, a delight who I had never seen before that evening.

He was tall, lean yet muscular with a contagious smile and long, messy hair. Often he moved to push it out of his face by running his long fingers through it, but that only resulted with it flopping back down in front of his face a minute later. He looked and seemed to be normal, cheery and always smiling at whoever he was with. I only wished that the person he was chatting with could have been me. Talking to him about anything would have satisfied me; what he had for breakfast, what his opinion was of global warming, what sort of thing he looked for in a partner, just ... anything. As long as it distracted me from the miserable job that was serving employees cucumber sandwiches.

I glanced down at my phone. The time was 10:34 PM, and all I longed for was my bed. The night had been fun to begin with but as time dragged on, my eye-lids drooped further. It wasn't as if I hadn't had a good time, it was more like people should know when to stop and head home. No-one had left yet except for Norman. Clearly he couldn't wait to leave the shit-hole that was the ERHA and start his retirement a night early. Not that I blamed him, I wasn't fond of my job either but it paid well and got me through life.

Outside was wet. It had been raining since six o'clock and I was dreading the walk home. I didn't live too far, just a few streets down but that was all it took to become completely and utterly drenched to the point where you have no choice but to blow-dry the insides of your shoes to vanquish the dampness before future use. I thought about that; the battle between the rain and myself that was no doubt going to occur in a couple more hours. Less than that if I were lucky.

And that's when it happened.

"Hey," said an unfamiliar voice, stunning me for a moment. I looked up into the eyes of the man I had been observing for the majority of the evening, my mouth falling agape as he looked down at me. When had he made his way over to my table? Was he actually talking to me, or was it one of those awkward moments where you think the hot guy is talking to you but in actual fact, it happens to be some random person behind you? I looked over my shoulder for a moment, making sure it indeed was me that he was talking to. I felt stupid when my face nearly became squashed up against the wall.

"Me?" I stupidly asked, not entirely sure what else to say. Idiot, screamed a voice in the back of my head. Say hello like any normal human being would! You've just made yourself look like a daft bugger in the corner. Oh, wait - you are.

He smiled that dazzling smile I'd come to admire and nodded. "Well, there's no one else over here, is there? So, of course I mean you."

His voice was dreamy; deep with that kind of manly rasp that made a woman's legs turn to jelly. I realised that it was the first time I'd ever heard his voice and even over the loud music blaring from the speakers, I could still make it out as clear as day. I wanted to hear him speak some more - to me in particular.

"Oh," was all I managed. "Hey... Can I help you with anything?"

He shook his head and I felt myself frown. If I couldn't help him with anything ... then what was he doing in front of me, making small talk for? He blinked twice before saying, "I just thought I would come over and see if you're alright," he confessed, glancing down at the several plates of food on the table. "You look rather lonely and ... sad."

I couldn't help but smile and awkwardly tuck my hair behind my ear. He was the only person in the entire building to realise that I wasn't the happiest - and we'd only just met! For the five years I'd been working at the English Rural Housing Association, I'd longed to do something more with my life - live my dream of becoming a successful artist. An artistic flare, I believe my father had once said I owned and I couldn't have believed him more. I loved everything to do with art and if I could make a living by selling paintings and such, I'd be the happiest woman alive.

"You must be psychic then," I told him. "I've been working here for five years and no one has noticed just how miserable I am. What gave me away?"

"Well, for one, you're sitting here all by yourself and not even bothering to try and interact with anyone. And two, I haven't seen you smile all night ... until now."

Shit, I was still smiling. Stop smiling, Jane! I tried my best to let the grin slide from my lips but I was having a hard time doing so - and a hard time breathing due to our close proximity. Up close, I could make out the colour of his eyes - a surprisingly bright shade of green - and even the slight sprinkling of stubble across his jaw. I wanted to touch that jaw.

"Oh, you have me figured out already," I laughed. "I must be such a buzz kill."

He shook his head. "Not at all! In fact, I came over here for one other reason; I wanted to ask you to join us. At least come over and say hey to everyone. I can't stand the sight of an unhappy woman, especially when everyone else in the room is having a good time."

I felt myself flush at his words, flattered that he had been keeping an eye on me. I'd been doing exactly the same all night with him, melting at the very sight of him doing something as simple as smiling or taking a sip from his glass of champagne. Before me, I could see just how pink his lips were and oh, I wished to press my own against his.

"I'd love to," I lied, "but I have to manage the table. No one else would do it so I got landed the job. I don't mind though, I just have to make sure everyone gets something to nibble on."

"Aw, damn," he said to me, holding out a hand. His hand was big and looked ridiculously soft. "C'mon, at least for a moment or so?"

I blinked a couple of times before realising he was holding out his hand to me. I sighed deeply before gently placing my own in his, nearly moaning as our skin touched. Imagine those hands elsewhere. No, no, no! Stop it, Jane. Be a lady and cast out these dirty, inappropriate thoughts! I cleared my throat, earning another smile from him as he led me away from the table and over to the group of employees he had been chatting with moments previously. On our way over, he carefully handed me a glass of champagne.

"What's your name?" I asked him, suddenly realising I didn't know it.

He frowned for a moment and then his eyes widened. "Ah, shit! I'm so sorry. Harry Styles. And you?"

"Jane Green," I said with a small smile and he took a sip of his drink. 

"Lovely," he mumbled before letting go of my hand and stepping back into the circle of friends. "Everyone, I've rescued the sandwich girl," he announced and the crowd chuckled quietly.

"You looked awfully glum," said the tall brunette on Harry's left who I assumed was his girlfriend. All night, I'd seen her leaning against him, whispering in his ear and running her hands all over him so it wasn't hard to guess that they had something going on. What Harry said next confirmed my suspicion.

"Jane, this is Sally, my girlfriend," he introduced her and she leaned over to shake my hand, smiling at me with a friendly look in her eye. She seemed harmless and genuine, but I couldn't help but feel the jealousy pulsing through my entirety as I saw her link arms with Harry. Why are you getting mad? You don't even know the guy, you just think he's ... a perfect gentleman.

I wanted to cry.

"Hey," I said croakily, quickly clearing my throat before repeating myself.

"And, Jane? This is Philip, James, Ryan, Stacy, Chelsea and Richard from finance," Harry told me before gesturing to his friends. They all smiled and said their hellos in unison before chatting again about work and how it would soon be time for a person called Ruby up in their department to give birth to her expected twins.

"I heard it's going to be a girl and boy," Chelsea said with excitement.

"Really? Aw, that's so sweet," Stacy said. "I always liked the idea of twins but I love my kids as they are. Drive me up the fucking wall at times but I love them."

Soon the topic changed to children and I once again found myself drifting off into a daydream for the hundredth time that night. The flashing lights and loud music no longer mattered and seemed to fade around me as my eyes locked on Harry's face. He was beautiful, and I gradually became so distracted by his handsome features that I hadn't realised my glass of champagne had slid from my hand and landed right beside his foot, smashing and covering his trouser legs in alcohol.

"Fuck!" I said, my eyes wide. "I am so sorry! Oh, my ... shit. I am so sorry, Harry! I could get a cloth if you'd like?" I panicked, wincing as he wiggled his foot to try and shake off a shard of glass on his boot.

I was surprised to see him smiling. "It's fine," he told me with a shrug. "It happens. I've had worse. Besides, it's Friday night - they'll be going in the wash as soon as I get home."

His words did not comfort me and I still found the need to go and get him something, apologise a hundred more times or even buy him a new pair of trousers if it were necessary. "Are you sure? I can pay for any stains or tears-"

"Jane," he chuckled, "it's OK."

His eyes were on my face as he spoke and I was completely oblivious to the fact my cheeks were flushed until I started to become rather uncomfortable and warm. I glanced towards the door.

"I-I'm going to get some air," I said. "Excuse me."

As soon as I'd left the group and pushed through the crowd to the front door of the building, I made sure to grab my coat on the way out. There was no way I was staying any longer to serve fucking sandwiches and feel the guilt of having spilled liquid all over someone who had been incredibly nice to me upon our first meeting. I was tired and embarrassed and wanted to do nothing but sleep. Thank God it was Friday. I pulled the hood up before leaving the building, the revolving doors seeming to take a particularly long time to free me from the inside.

The night air was cool. I shuddered as I stepped out and into the rain, stuffing my hands in my pockets to try and savour the little warmth the insides had to offer. Thankfully, the weather wasn't as tragic as it had been when it had first began to shower down and I walked as quickly as I could to my left, through the crowd of moving bodies trying to get to their destinations. London was busy all the time, night and day with people wandering around doing their own thing; heading to work, going out, visiting tourist sights, meeting up with friends, going to the theatre, shopping, you name it. There was never a sense of calm in the city and that was one of the reasons I loved living there; the buzz from simply walking through the streets.

It was beautiful and inspired a lot of my art work. Several of the larger canvases in my study were of London sights and landmarks. The red double-deckers, Buckingham Palace and even a busy street with people and pigeons galore. Each different when it came to size, colour schemes and content. There was never nothing to capture in the city and put onto paper.

I smiled to myself as I thought of my next project: Harry. Yes, I could paint him! Maybe even attempt to sketch him walking around the streets with casual clothes on and not the fine, smart clothes he had been wearing - and that I had messed up - for the do. I tried to picture him wearing something like a baggy jumper and ripped skinny jeans, a beanie covering his long, messy hair. The thought was appealing and made me wish I'd got to know him a little more before covering him in champagne.

Good one, Jane.

"Jane!" I heard a voice call. I froze where I was, turning to see none other than the gentleman of the night rushing over to me. I frowned as he came to a halt before me, slightly out of breath and windswept as he held out his hand to me for the second time that night. This time, there was an object inside it, my phone. "You forgot this at the sandwich table."

"Oh," I mumbled, looking down at it. I placed the object in my pocket and thanked him before asking, "Why don't you go back to the party now? You're getting all wet."

He chucked. "In all due respect, you kinda beat the rain at that one."

I laughed quietly and looked up into his eyes. "Thanks again, Harry. Now go, before you catch a cold or something!"

"Why are you leaving, though?" he asked, pushing his hair out of his face. The rain fell down upon him with no mercy, completely soaking his clothes. He looked so damn good though, an idea popping into mind as he stood there looking at me for an answer. What if I were to paint him in the rain, all moody and sexy and deliciously drenched?

"I was sick of serving sandwiches," I told him. "And I feel bad and humiliated about spilling my drink all over you. Not the best first impression, huh?"

"Hm, it could have been worse. Believe it or not but I've been puked on before, so if that helps in any way, good. Drink is nothing compared to vomit, believe me, Jane."

"Oh no," I laughed, shivering ever so slightly. The pair of us were just standing there in the middle of the pavement and the crowd of busy pedestrians gave us annoyed glances for blocking their paths. "I think you'd best go now before someone starts yelling at us."

 "Yeah, I suppose you're right," Harry said with quick glance behind me. "Until next time, Jane Green. It was a pleasure meeting you tonight. I hope we keep in touch!"

I nodded, not able to speak. I giggled like a little school girl before I nodded once again and turned to leave, waving awkwardly before making my way down the street, through the throng of people. My cheeks were still aflame and I could feel my stomach doing flip after flip as out interaction played over in my mind multiple times until I couldn't control my wide grin. I smiled all the way home and even then, once I was inside and taking off my coat.

Harry was a perfect gentleman I realised. Not only did he look the part but he acted the part and spoke the part. It all felt too good to be true. Then I remembered Sally and my smile fell. Clearly I was overreacting as he had never been mine to begin with, it was just a little, pathetic crush that would soon come to pass. Nothing good ever came when one fucked up the first meeting and I had done that fantastically. Besides, he was taken and seemed overly in love with his significant other and I didn't have the heart to admit that seeing them apart would make me happy. Yes, it was a little crush ... that may soon lead to obsession.

Fuck, you need to get a life, you creep.

I let out a sigh before heading towards my bedroom to change out of my damp clothes. It was time to relax and enjoy the weekend before returning to work at nine o'clock on Monday morning. The joy. At least now, I would possibly be in with a chance of seeing Harry again. I wanted to be friends with him because he just had that friendly aura about him.

Yes, we would be friends and nothing more. Or so I thought.