Page 4 of Hats off to Love

Just assuredness.

Simultaneously, my jaw and Molly’s drops.

And then I laugh, because he really, truly has lost his marbles.

Only, he isn’t laughing with me. He’s looking at me strangely, almost expectantly.

Every year, on the eve of the championship series two races beginning, their mother hosts a large party at the farm. It has become one of the social events of the year for locals. It’s a different kind of party from other Derby events as it is still far enough out that outsiders not from the Louisville area won’t venture in that way, and the other farm owners and employees can come together for a night as friends. It’s a huge party, but, in a way, private.

Turning around, I make sure there is no one else behind us that he might be talking to, and then I look at Molly, who is now looking at me too.

What is happening right now?

“Well?” he asks, impatience starting to seep through his relaxed-against-the-counter demeanor.

This is when I tell you I am so happy I installed video surveillance of the shop, because I will forever have a video recording of Stokes asking me to be his date to an event. This is blackmail material at its finest.

“Not in this lifetime or the next would I ever be seen as your date,” I tell him in the most bored tone I can muster.

Something quickly flashes across his face, but just as it appeared, it’s now gone, and the ever-present scowl has slipped back into place.

Straightening, he pulls on the lapels of his jacket then runs his hand down the center of his very broad chest to flatten his tie. “That’s fine. I just thought it would be good for you to be seen with me.”

My ears start burning, and next to me, Molly bristles.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I all but snarl at him.

“Exactly what I said. Think about it—it could be good business for the store,” he states, as if I’m an idiot and should already know this.

I’m so confused.

“Since when do you care about me and this store? Are you sure it’s not for you because LuVu Tea named you the most eligible bachelor of the season?” I close my planner and tuck it back under the counter.

His eyes sharpen, his nostrils flare, and then he lets out an irritated sigh.

LuVu Tea is a gossip blog that has an account on every social media platform available. Anything and everything is open season to the writers, from the happenings at the college to scandals with the horse farms, politics, and the city’s socialites.

“That’s it! I knew it,” I crow, taking a step back.

Letting out a groan, he runs his hand through his hair. His eyes quickly scan over the length of me then he glances at the ground and back up at my face. His mood is shifting with his irritation, and so is his eye color. They’re now more hazelnut than moss green.

“Fine. You’re right. It would be beneficial for us both,” he says, sounding like it pains him to do so. “I could potentially help you with spreading the word about the shop, and you could”—he looks me over again—“help me keep away unwanted advances.”

“Molly.” I’m whispering as if he can’t hear me, even though he’s standing right in front of us and our eyes are locked on each other. “Did you hear him?” I reach blindly to pat her on the shoulder. I’m smiling so hard from giddiness my mouth aches. “He actually admitted I was right.”

Stokes is not amused, and Molly giggles.

“Well?” he all but demands.

“No,” I say flatly, but I’m so giddy on the inside I feel like a caged animal ready to bust out of its enclosure.

He rolls his lips in between his teeth, blinks once long and slow, and then says, “Give me a reason why not.”

And this right here is Stokes to the core. He knew I would say no, and he was ready for it. He is a lawyer and loves to debate. Granted, he primarily practices equine law, but that doesn’t change the fact that he can argue someone into the ground. All he needs is an opening, and within three minutes he’ll debunk any and all statements made.

I pause for dramatic effect and watch him as he watches me.

“I did. I said no.”