Page 68 of Hats off to Love

“Okay, cheers to you. Cheers to the most amazing dress that’s ever been created. Cheers to the best first season the shop could have asked for, and cheers to many more nights where we’re all together and celebrating our successes,” she says.

My eyes blur.

“Cheers to celebrating all our successes.” I look at each of them, smiling and so happy for me. I can’t think of one more thing that could make this night more perfect. “Thank you, to both of you. This . . . the two of you . . . it means the world to me.”

We clink our glasses again and drain them.

“Okay, I’m off to Austin’s, but I’ll see you in the morning,” Molly says as she collects her things. Picking up her phone, she laughs and then looks at me. “Your name is blowing up right now. Notifications are coming in left and right. I’ll be up all night looking at them and responding. Well, maybe not the whole night.” She wiggles her eyebrows, and Stokes groans beside me.

“Thank you, Molly.” She’s so happy, and she should be. She’s been there with me for every step of this. This is not just my moment, but hers too.

Rushing over, she throws her arms around me one more time and hugs me tight. “Congratulations, babe. You deserve this.”

Deserving something is such a strange concept. I’d like to think I am a humble person and am just giving back to the world the talents that have been gifted to me, but I do feel like I deserve this moment. I created something that is worthy of being recognized, and it’s okay if I allow myself to stand in the spotlight for a few minutes. Even if that spotlight is just here between the three of us, it’s enough.

Molly leaves, and I find myself back on the couch, watching more of the show as Stokes locks the door and cleans up the kitchen. Eventually, the couch dips next to me. He’s back, sitting on the edge facing me, and he’s watching me.

“I’m proud of you,” he says, and the tears that were unshed and lingering in my eyes break free. “Why?” he asks as his thumb comes up to wipe them away.

“I don’t know,” I whisper, and then I lean over and into him. “It’s all just so overwhelming.”

His arms wrap around me, and I bury my face in his chest and breathe him in. Melons, sage, and smooth leather . . . the most complete and wonderful smell in the world.

“Is it crazy to say this doesn’t feel real? Like I know that’s my dress—I spent so much time working on it—but seeing it there on the television . . . it kind of doesn’t feel like mine.”

“No, I don’t think it’s crazy to feel like that, but it is real, so real, and you should still be celebrating.”

I pull back and look up into his face. There are little happy wrinkles in the corners of his eyes as he smiles down at me.

“How should we be celebrating?” I ask in a sultry tone, and I enjoy the surprise as it flits across his features. His eyes widen slightly, and one side of his smile tips up higher than the other. Maybe he’s enjoying learning this side of me as well.

I grab the remote to turn off the television and silence descends upon us, but that doesn’t matter. The quiet doesn’t bother him, nor does it me. Standing, I slide over his lap so I’m straddling him as he settles back into the couch. His large hands wrap around my hips and then run up and down my thighs. Like always, he’s warm underneath his clothes, which he wears so well. Tonight it’s a pair of worn jeans and a black T-shirt. Stokes wears a lot more black than I thought he did. I like it. I like it a lot.

“I think I like the way you celebrate,” he says as I lean forward and brush my lips over his.

“I thought you might.” I gently suck on his bottom lip.

Sliding his hand up my back, he pulls me closer so I’m basically leaning on him chest to chest. My arms drape over his shoulders as his fingers tangle in my hair, and he cradles my head.

Dragging his mouth across my cheek to my ear, he asks, “Am I staying tonight?”

I want to tell him to stay indefinitely, but something holds me back. Instead, I tuck my face against his neck and answer, “Yes.”

His acknowledgment and approval of this plan come to me in the form of a rumble in his chest and a kiss so thorough a rush floods my veins like a sugar high, and my toes curl inside my fuzzy socks.

We might need to find something to celebrate every night.

LUVU TEA

ROSES FOR ROSIE

To our dear beloved readers, I have two words for you . . . Met Gala. While of course we had our eyes glued to the fabulous event coverage for any and all of our beloved Louisvillians who made an appearance at fashion’s biggest night out, it turns out the star of our night ended up not being a person, but rather a dress—a dress and hat ensemble so divine we here at LuVu Tea collectively experienced a spiritual awakening.

For several months now, we have been reporting on the activities of our handsome and dashing bachelor of the season, Stokes Whitlock. As most of you know, he has been seen smitten with none other than our newest NuLu hat girl, Rosie May. But what you might not know, and neither did we, is that her talents extend beyond just hats and headwear. She is a fashion designer extraordinaire.

Stepping onto the red carpet last night were music legends Avery Layne and Will Ashton. We had heard whispers recently that Avery was seen in town, but other than a post at Rosie’s shop, her reasons and whereabouts were left unknown. That is no longer the case.

Avery’s ensemble sparkled, shimmered, and blew us all away. Heads turned. Astonishment, wonder, and a hush swept over the crowd, leaving even the hosts speechless and everyone wondering, “Who is she wearing?” It wasn’t until she was interviewed that her mysterious designer was revealed. Color us wildly shocked and delighted, because who knew we had such incredible expertise in our town? Well, apparently Avery Layne did.