Page 46 of Hats off to Love

“Do you think he knows something we don’t?” I hate to think the worst of Grayson, but people have done much worse for less, and these horses stand to gain people millions.

He tilts his head as he thinks this through and then shakes it. “No, I don’t think he has anything to do with those other situations. He and my mother . . .” He trails off, looking at me.

“I was wondering.” I smile at him. The idea of Birdie and Grayson really does make me happy. It’s been so long. Maybe he can introduce my mother to someone too.

“Tomorrow after work, I’m going to head out to talk to them.” He picks up his fork to resume eating.

“Wish I could go,” I tell him, and I mean it.

His eyes find mine and then reverently paint a path down to my lips. Stillness surrounds us as a new tension builds between us. My tongue slips out to wet them, and he lets out an almost audible groan as he exhales. My stomach bottoms out, because I do know what it feels like to kiss him, and I’m starting to think there isn’t anything I wouldn’t give for him to kiss me again.

He shakes his head, and his eyes reconnect with mine. “If this turns out to be a legitimate thing that’s happening, I don’t know how to thank you.”

“Are you kidding? Whitlock Farm is my home—you don’t need to thank me.” I pick up my wine glass and take a large sip.

The reverence returns. “You’re right. It is your home.”

For so long, Stokes made me feel like I was passing time at the farm, like my being there was temporary and he couldn’t wait to get rid of me. But with these words, I have to fight the burning behind my eyes. Everyone wants a place to call home, and his confirmation of what I already knew in my heart means more than he knows.

For a few minutes, we eat in silence. I forgot to turn on music, but he doesn’t seem to mind, and the quietness isn’t awkward. Then again, being with him stopped being awkward sometime over the last couple of weeks. It just fizzled away.

“So, I know we agreed on three outings and a dinner out, which I still owe you, but my firm is hosting another party in two nights on the rooftop of our building downtown for the Thunder Over Louisville. Would you like to go with me?” he asks with a wariness he never needs to feel when it comes to me.

I can’t help but think back to the last event which he all but demanded I attend per our arrangement, whereas this time it feels like he is genuinely asking me if I would like to be his date.

“Is this something you want to go to? I didn’t get the feeling you particularly liked being around your work people that much.”

He lets out a sigh. “It’s not that I dislike them.” He looks away as he collects his thoughts then turns back to me. “I guess it’s just with the way things have changed, I’ve begun to want something different. I hear the view of the fireworks will be good.”

Something different. Am I allowed to include myself in this scenario? After all, we are different now, and I like this new version of us.

“Wanting something different isn’t a bad thing,” I tell him hesitantly, and I know he understands what I’m saying as his lips curve up into a small smile.

“No, it’s not,” he says, his voice a little deeper, rougher, his gaze a little darker.

And just like that, my toddler butterflies stretch and grow to kid size.

“I’d love to watch the fireworks with you.”

LUVU TEA

A RACE FOR LOVE

Well, well, well, what do we have here?

Spotted on the streets of downtown Louisville was none other than our bachelor of the season, Stokes Whitlock, but he wasn’t with Ms. May. Our sources tell us this is Suzy Collier, a colleague and longtime city socialite. The two were seen having lunch together and strolling back to the office arm in arm. The way she was glancing up at him leaves us wondering if we have a competition developing. Has another filly taken the lead in the race for our bachelor’s love?

18

“I’m sorry I’m late,” Stokes says as he jumps out of his SUV and rounds the front to open my door.

“It’s okay,” I tell him as I take in his frazzled state. It’s clear he’s been in these clothes for a while, as they aren’t in their normal pressed-smooth state but are wrinkled from sitting. His shirtsleeves are rolled up, his hair looks like his hands have made it their mission to create an all-new style, and despite all that, he still looks insanely good.

“I should have anticipated the traffic coming into the city for the fireworks, and I just didn’t.” He lets out an exhale. Poor Stokes. With his stringent personality, he can’t handle being late anywhere. He’s one of those people who isn’t prompt, but instead always early.

“It’s fine. No worries at all.” I smile at him, and he visibly relaxes. “I was working on Avery’s dress—I always have something to do.” I shrug like No big deal.

As I brush past him to slide in, he stops me by pulling me into his arms. His lips land on my temple, where he holds them and just breathes me in. My heart thumps hard against my chest at his nearness. He’s warm, smells deliciously like him, and I take the unexpected moment to lean in closer.