as the gallery slowly filled up, my heart beat with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. tonight had been months in the making, and i wanted everything to be perfect. while chatting with a few guests, i couldn't stop myself from glancing at the door every few minutes, wondering if louis would actually show up. part of me thought he might not, that the promise he'd made was just something said in passing. after all, he was louis tomlinson, and i was just... me. but then again, he had promised.

i tried not to let my hopes get too high. the crowd was growing, and i had to stay focused on making a good impression with my art. phoebe, daisie, and addy were here, and their support already meant the world. they kept me grounded, teasing me about the fluttery feelings i had for louis, but always with a side of encouragement.

"he'll be here, love," addy said, squeezing my hand as i glanced at the door for the umpteenth time.

"i don't know... it's not a big deal if he doesn't come," i replied, trying to convince myself more than her. "it's just—"

before i could finish, the door opened again, and my breath caught in my throat. there he was. louis. dressed in a simple black jacket and jeans, his hair slightly messy in that effortless way of his. for a second, everything around me faded, and all i could see was him.

"see?" addy smirked, nudging me gently. "told you."

i watched as he casually made his way through the crowd, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on me. when our gazes met, his lips curved into a small, lopsided smile, and my heart did a little flip.

"i told you i'd keep my promise," louis said as he approached, his voice low and teasing.

i grinned back, my nerves suddenly evaporating. "i didn't think you'd actually come."

"what? you think i'm a liar?" he raised an eyebrow, feigning offense.

"well, you are louis tomlinson. i imagine you're pretty busy," i teased back, trying to keep the lighthearted tone even though my heart was racing.

"yeah, but i promised, didn't i?" he stepped closer, his eyes locking with mine. "plus, i had to see what all the fuss was about."

"fuss?" i asked, biting my lip, feeling the blush creeping up my neck.

"your art," he said, his gaze flicking to the nearest painting. "everyone's talking about it. looks like you're a bigger deal than me tonight."

i laughed softly, shaking my head. "i highly doubt that."

"nah," louis leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "you don't give yourself enough credit."

there it was again, that teasing, almost flirtatious tone. i wasn't sure if he meant it or if this was just how he talked to everyone, but the way he looked at me made my stomach flutter. i felt a warmth spread through my chest, and for a moment, the whole gallery seemed to shrink around us.

"seriously though, this is impressive," louis continued, turning to take in more of the artwork. "i mean, i thought you were talented, but this... this is next level."

"thank you," i murmured, my voice a little breathless. "that means a lot coming from you."

"from me?" he chuckled. "i don't know anything about art."

"still... you're here. that's enough," i said, my eyes lingering on him.

there was a pause, and for a moment, neither of us spoke. it felt like we were in our own little bubble, the noise of the gallery fading into the background. then, he broke the silence with a smirk.

"so... after this whole fancy art thing, any plans for an after-party?" louis asked, his tone playful.

i blinked, surprised by the suggestion. "i hadn't thought about it, honestly. i'm not much of a party planner."

"good thing i am, then," he winked. "how about we fix that? get a few drinks, celebrate your success properly."

my heart skipped a beat at the thought of spending more time with him, outside of the gallery, in a more relaxed setting. "that sounds fun," i said, trying to sound casual even though my pulse was racing.

"great. i'll round up phoebe, daisie, and the others, and we'll head out after this," louis said, his eyes glinting with mischief.

"you're serious?" i asked, still a little stunned that this was happening. "you'd actually come to an after-party... for me?"

"of course. it's your big night," louis replied, shrugging as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "plus, i don't miss a good party."

"okay, then. let's do it," i agreed, feeling a surge of excitement bubble up inside me. tonight just went from nerve-wracking to potentially amazing.

as the night went on, i kept stealing glances at louis as he moved around the gallery, talking to different people but always somehow finding his way back to me. our little moments of flirting, the accidental brushes of hands, the way his eyes lingered on me a bit too long—it was all happening so naturally, like we were both slowly realizing there was something between us.

and honestly, i couldn't help but smile. this felt... right.

toward the end of the showcase, louis came back over to where i stood with phoebe, daisie, and addy. "so, are we doing this or what?" he asked, hands stuffed into his jacket pockets, but that signature smirk still firmly in place.

"fuck yeah, we are!" phoebe cheered, nudging me playfully. "you're not getting out of this, imogen. we're celebrating you tonight."

i laughed, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease as i looked around at my friends. maybe this night was going to be perfect after all.

"let's get this party started, then," i said, feeling a rush of excitement as i led the way out of the gallery, louis and the others right behind me.

as we stepped into the night, i couldn't help but feel like everything was falling into place. i didn't know what would happen next with louis, or where this connection between us was going. but for the first time in a long time, i felt like i was exactly where i was meant to be.

and tonight, that was enough.