Page 61 of Hats off to Love

I want to ask him. Actually, I’m pretty sure I want to beg, but there’s this tiny part of me that’s still holding on to myself. As much as he’s seemed to enjoy this, enjoy me these last couple of weeks, I can’t dismiss the twelve years prior.

“Also . . .” One side of his mouth tips up. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m here for you. You know this. On your long list of things to fret over, I should be the least of your worries.”

My racing heart slows.

Does he mean that?

I sure hope so. I want to believe he does.

“You’re here for me?” I whisper, more tears tipping over.

“Very much so,” he answers, swiping his thumbs back and forth.

Bending down, he places his lips on mine and just holds us together. We breathe in sync, and my eyes close. Seconds, minutes, hours could pass—who knows how long we stand there, but eventually someone knocks on the door, and I let out a deep sigh. He knew exactly what I needed, and he knew exactly how to calm me down.

He hugs me tight before asking, “You ready?” His clear gaze bores into mine to see if he can seek out any wariness. He won’t find any, because with him by my side, I feel like I can take on the world.

“Almost.” I push up on my toes and kiss him, like really kiss him.

He groans at the contact and pulls my body flush with his. He tastes so good, and he feels so good, but knowing our time is up, he drops his head to my shoulder and again hugs me so tight he picks me right up off the ground.

“All right, let’s go.” He spins me around, opens the door, and pats me on the butt.

“Wait.” I stop the door from opening all the way. “What about you? You said you needed a minute too.”

He pauses as if he’s trying to think of what to say, or maybe he just forgot he needed this moment too. Then he says, “You. I needed alone time with you. There hasn’t been much of it this week.”

“No, there hasn’t,” I tell him with a sad smile.

“That will change soon enough, and then you’ll be sick of me,” he teases.

“I highly doubt it.”

Wide eyes stare at us as we exit, but we just ignore them. Stokes takes me by the hand, and instead of leading us back to the table, he guides us downstairs to the silent auction, where it is in fact silent. A few more minutes, for us—it’s just what I needed.

I’m pretty sure he could lead me anywhere, and I would follow.

LUVU TEA

BOURBON, BOWTIES, AND OUR BACHELOR

Dear readers, while you may have seen our coverage of the annual Bourbon and Bowties charity dinner last night, we felt it apt today for us to also report on our beloved bachelor of the season, Mr. Stokes Whitlock. If there were any question of who he might attend with, rumors here at the Tea were immediately squashed by the two very different expressions that could be found on his face. One was adoration aimed at his date, Ms. Rosie May, and the other was vengeance directed toward anyone who might attempt to disrupt their night. Grab a hand fan, ladies and gentlemen, because that look alone left us all feeling a little hot and needing some cooling off.

When he stepped out of the town car, our jaws dropped at the stylish cut of his Hugo Boss suit and at Rosie with her perfectly fitted dress and striking over-the-knee boots. The pair walked in sync across the red carpet as if they had done this a thousand times.

Inside David’s Distillery, they were seen socializing with the upper echelon of the city, laughing and drinking the specialty cocktails prepared by David himself, bidding on silent auction items, and dining with Stokes’s sister and her date. It also wasn’t lost on those in attendance how captivated our bachelor was. It seems never once was he seen without having his hand on Ms. May somewhere, somehow. A little bird even told us that at one point during the dinner, they slipped away together and locked themselves in the bathroom. My, my, Mr. Whitlock, hearts are aflutter as a girl can’t help but ask, wonder, and imagine—what were you doing to Rosie behind that door?

22

It’s amazing how unloading my brain on Stokes and getting a good night’s sleep could make such a difference. When I woke up this morning, the sun streaming through my window felt brighter, and I just knew there were birds chirping a lovely song somewhere. The weight I’ve been carrying over the last couple of weeks doesn’t feel as heavy, I’m excited for this last weekend before the Derby, and I can’t wait to see Stokes later today.

Last night, he calmed my nerves in a way I didn’t know he could, and after we left the bathroom, he held my hand for the remainder of the evening. It’s like he knew I just needed some support, and he stood there strong as I emotionally leaned all over him. I shouldn’t have waited so long to share how I’ve been feeling. It isn’t a mark on my character or on how I run my business to feel overwhelmed and to share that with him. If anything, it makes me better. I am grateful for him, and at the end of the day, what he said is true. Deep down, I know he’s not going anywhere. He’s still here with me, and he will be even after next weekend. I’ve finally dropped that one last wall of insecurity, and today I’ve decided to fully allow myself to fall.

I trust him.

Who knows, I might even tell him.

I’ve just flipped the sign on the door to open, and I’m walking back to the counter when it opens and the bell chimes. Glancing over my shoulder, I’m about to call out hello, but my words get stuck in my throat. Stokes smiles at me as our eyes connect, and I swear this man just made my day and he doesn’t even know it.