Chapter 110: Grace
After Michael dropped those bombshells, Rhys ended the meeting. Everyone had been silent as we processed everything. And we were all wondering the same thing: was he right? Did we really not stand a chance? Or were we catching everything at the right time?
Alana stood behind me as she did my hair and make-up. I wasn’t sure what Rhys had planned for the evening, but he had told everyone that we were not working this evening and would not be available in an emergency. Obviously, the last part wasn’t true, but it had made me giggle when he said it. He had a way about him that always seemed to make me smile and giggle. Things that growing up, I never imagined my future having.
“You look beautiful, Grace,” Alana swooned, and I felt a blush creep up face.
“All because of you,” I tried to turn it back to my friend.
“Oh please,” She brushed me off, but I noticed the tiredness in her movements and for the first time the bags under her eyes. “This is all you, honey. Now come on, I have just the dress for you.”
I turned slightly as she held up a teal, one sleeved, floor length dress. It was simple and elegant, and I was sure it couldn’t possibly be for me.
“It’s beautiful,” I breathed, afraid to touch it or even look at it too long.
“Come on, go put it on.” She urged.
“No, it’s too fancy.” I argued. “I couldn’t possibly.”
“Rhys picked it out for you, so if you want to tell him you don’t like it, I’m going to make myself scarce.”
“He picked it out for me?” I squeaked causing Alana to laugh.
“Yes friend, for you, now come on, we’re running out of time!”
I took the dress and carefully pulled it on, and then looked in the mirror again. The dress fit perfectly. It hugged my body in all the right places. My make-up was natural except for the red lipstick that stuck out like a sore thumb, but also didn’t look bad, just different. And Alana had done my hair in two dutch braids on the top of my head leading into my ponytail. I wasn’t sure how Rhys was going to feel about it up, I knew he tended to prefer it down, but I preferred it to be out of my face.
“You look stunning.” Alana breathed.
“Thank you.”
“Come on, your mate is waiting.” Alana encouraged.
I could feel Rhys’ anxiety through our bond, but I wasn’t sure why he was anxious at all. He wasn’t one to generally show his feelings, unless it was anger, but this was different. I wondered if we were going to a big event that I didn’t know about.
Alana led the way down the millions of steps. As we crossed the family room, several people turned to stare, but no one said anything. The crisp winter air nipped at my bare skin as I stepped out onto the front steps. Rhys was standing by his Range Rover staring out into the woods, but as soon as he felt me, he turned.
His gaze raked my body hungrily, and I could tell he approved. Not that I would ever truly dress for a guy, but I did appreciate the way he was looking at me.
Alana slipped back into the packhouse as Rhys met me at the bottom of the stairs. His hand held out for me as if there was nowhere else he’d rather be.
“Grace,” He started, his voice husky, “You put the sunset to shame. I have never laid eyes on anything more beautiful in my entire life, and to know that you are all mine is a privilege that I will never forget.”
I melted. Rhys had a way with words that I could never match. Maybe it was just because I had spent so much of my life refusing to say anything, but I felt as though there was nothing in my vocabulary that could ever explain to him how I felt.
He opened the car door, and I climbed into the backseat. I hadn’t even thought to ask about where we were going, but now that I was in the car, I suddenly felt very nervous.
“Where are we going exactly?” I finally got the courage to ask as he climbed in behind me.
“What’s your favorite color?” He asked, changing the subject, not so subtly.
“I uh don’t know.” I stumbled over my words.
“You don’t have a favorite color?” He asked in surprise.
“I’ve never thought about it,” I answered honestly. “Maybe yellow.”
“Why yellow?”
“It’s a happy color.” I answered. “It’s the color of the prettiest flowers, and the leaves in the fall. It’s the color of the sun, and it has a warmth that is just comforting in all the ways and pleasing for the eyes. It makes me smile when I see it. So, yea, I think yellow is my favorite color.”
Rhys smiled at me. His eyes sparkling with a light I don’t think I had ever seen in him before.
“What’s your favorite color?” I asked, realizing I had no idea either.
“It’s yellow,” He answered, completely cheesing, which completely threw me off. I had never once seen anything that made me think that his favorite color was yellow.
“No, it’s not.” I laughed. “It’s red.”
He raised his brows at me in surprise, amusement written all over his face. “What?”
“It’s red.” I answered confidently. “Your room, well our room has red all over it, and when you have to wear a tie, it’s red. And the only shirt you own that isn’t blue, white or black is red.”
“Okay,” He said with a lopsided grin as he leaned in closer to me, his face just inches from mine. “You caught me. It’s red.”
“Why did you say yellow then?” I asked feeling breathless at his proximity.
“Because you said yellow, and I love you.” He answered, his eyes flickering to my lips.
My heart thundered in my ears. He had never outright said he loved me before. He had said he wanted me. He had said I was his fated mate. He had said that I was more beautiful than the sunset. He said his favorite color was yellow because it was mine. He had said so many of the right things in such beautiful ways, but I love you was my favorite.
“I love you too.” I breathed.