Page 4 of Hope and Country

My knees wobbled when he reached me, but I straightened my back, not wanting to show him how only his presence affected me.

With a smile, I accepted the champagne he offered.

“To a great night and even greater company,” he said clinking his glass with mine. “I’m Riley.”

Even the sound of his voice was divine. Dripping hot honey, I wished I could have it directed toward me all the time.

Breathing in to calm the butterflies in my stomach, I met his hand halfway. “I’m Devon.” The contact of our palms shot a bolt of electricity through me. One powerful enough to brand its way through me.

To escape the heat sizzling between us, I tried to casually squirm my hand from his, not sure how my body could react so strongly to a stranger, but Riley lifted our joined hands and kissed my knuckles.

Okay, none of this could be real. Who wooed a woman with the gallantry of a gentleman? That’s an art long gone. Or I believed it had. Until now.

A breathless chuckle left me as I watched him. “I can already tell you’re a gentleman.”

Riley’s gaze landed on mine, taking away my breath at its intensity. “My mama taught me well. So, what brings you here, Devon? I’ve never seen you at one of these country music parties before.”

“Oh, you go to these a lot? This is my first time. It’s quite intimidating. A friend of mine invited me, but she’s running late.” I hoped my simple answer could quench his curiosity. Riley didn’t need to know how I scored an invite here. This would ruin the moment we shared.

The conversation flew easily between us. As if we’d met before. And we rekindled a friendship after spending time apart.

Riley pointed to a tall man with broad shoulders and a panties-melting grin when he caught us watching him.

Oh… Nicole had said famous people would be here, and I thought I recognized him earlier. But since then, my attention had been so riveted to the man in front of me that I failed to notice anyone else.

My eyes rounded at the sight of the man standing a bit further from us.

“Is that Carter Hills? I’m sorry. I’m not a groupie, I swear, but I thought I recognized him earlier when I walked in.”

“Yeah, that’s him. I can introduce you later.”

The last thing I needed was for anyone to know I was here. To be recognized. Or spotted. Nicole thought going out with a bunch of strangers surrounded by a high level of security would allow me a night out without having to watch over my shoulder for once. I agreed because I really needed to escape the confines of my apartment. And live a little. And feel like a twenty-four-year-old for a night.

Riley watched me, and I felt the warmth pooling in my cheeks. With a headshake, I whispered, “No, you don’t have to. I’m nobody here. I’m not part of this world. This night is surreal, I—”

A waitress with a tray full of wine glasses bumped into him, cutting short our conversation. For a split second, I relished the interruption. I needed time to think.

I had no idea how to justify my presence if Riley’s interest in me grew and he asked questions I couldn’t answer.

My lips pursed, then opened in shock, when in slow motion, the waitress’s tray flipped, and wine-drenched Riley’s suit.

“Oh, shit. I’m so sorry. It’s my first night here. I’m so, so sorry. I messed up. What can I do?” the waitress said, her voice shaky and eyes brimming with tears.

I watched their exchange as Riley comforted her with his words and even offered her a job if she decided waitressing wasn’t her thing. Everything he said increased my attraction for the man. And I could already tell he was selfless and caring.

His next words froze me to the spot, sending an emotional surge through me. One I hadn’t felt in almost a decade. “Don’t worry. The sun always comes out after the storm.”

I lost myself in my memories.

My mother used to say those same exact words to me a lot growing up. Every time dark shadows hovered over us and I required a little pep talk. A reason to keep going. Now I understood she craved those words even more than I ever did. That she was trying to believe in them when she spoke them out. To use them in her own life. For her own sake. And mine.

The last time I saw her, she came to my bedroom and hugged me. I was alone and scared after she and Harry argued. For once, it didn’t turn physical. She brushed my hair with her fingers, like she’d always done since I was a child, and murmured those words over and over as I lost myself in her loving embrace.

“I love you, baby. And don’t worry. The sun always comes out after the storm. Never forget it.” I didn’t know at the time she was giving me a piece of life advice, as if she knew it would be the final time. Those were her last words to me. And I’d never forgotten them.

But in the past few years, I’d remembered the words but forgotten the hope behind them as I fought for my own life. Now, hearing them from Riley’s mouth, they hit me like a freight train. As if my mom was watching over me and wanted me to know she was still here, in my corner, cheering for me. In her own way.

The waitress left with her chin high and confidence drumming her steps as I stood there speechless, my eyes following her.