Chapter 46: The Almost Kiss

The sweet melodies of violins wafted through the summer air, mingling with rustling leaves and quite a lot of laughter from idling picnickers. Olivia leaned back on the checkered blanket, her shoulder brushing against Mark's as they sat there in the park, side by side. The sunset was strewing the sky with pink and golden tints, showering a sprinkle of magic on the concert. "What a dandy idea," Olivia murmured, her head lolling a little to look at Mark. "This is great. I can't remember the last time I did something like this." Mark's smile was tempered toward her eyes. "I am glad to hear you are liking it. Sometimes it's nice to just be, you know?" Olivia nodded, for she knew exactly what he meant. Her life had been such a flurry of appointments filled with doctors, treatments, and worry for so long. At that moment, that peace, that ease of enjoyment, just bordered on a gift to her. We stood there, inhaling together the scent of jasmine close by, wafted by a gentle wind at that prec