Heaven Knows

Ten

Gail then gestures at her newbie and says, "This is Fabio. One of our newbies."

I give his hand a firm shake and for the first time, I'm able to study him. Tall and strong. His neat hair is as crisp as his suit. Firm jaw and dark eyes that seem to burn through you. But there's this gentleness that overpowers his firmness. It does not scare me at all.

His biggest smile is only a half smile as he says, "It's a pleasure meeting you, Miss. This is a beautiful event."

"Thank you very much, Fabio."

"Honey," Gail says this time. "I wanted to let you know that I will be going on a quick vacation next week. So I want to give you Fabio for that week."

"Sounds good," I say with a nod. "I can't wait to work with you, Fabio."

"As am I." His eyes shine at my small smile and his half smile appears again, making him perfect.

I quickly look away from his gaze, and gesture at Anna. "This is Anna. One of the newbies. You'll be along her side next week." Anna gives him a nod and I quickly excuse myself. Gail follows close behind as my heart still sizzles from that burning look.

"I'm sorry I didn't let you know sooner," Gail says as I take out the sign to the sidewalk.

"Don't worry about it," I say. "Have fun for me."

"Mm! I will! And you should have a vacation after I come back. Maybe with your cowboy..."

I let out a laugh and shake my head. "Let's open the doors." The moment our doors open, people come in with wide smiles. Their eyes shine with delight as they look around and I give myself a proud smile.

If only Tyler could see this...

I push aside Tyler as I work my way around the place as a host. Once again, the students are our music as the night goes on. Then the owners of the brew place come along and they are completely fascinated.

"Golly!" Mister Needles says. "This is just like home! How did you know I love rodeos?!"

As I start to respond, I see Tyler talking to the professor on the side of the stage. I smile back at Mister Needles and say, "Just a lucky guess."

Mister Needles does his whole hearted laugh and gives my arm a quick touch before walking back to the mechanical bull.

I make my way to Tyler. He also smiles brightly and it creates this exciting adrenaline in my veins. The moment I feel his embrace, the world swirls and I'm left breathless. A new kind of happiness overwhelms my dark thoughts until they completely disappear...

"This is such an amazing event, Tessa!" Tyler says as he pulls away. "It's just like home!"

"Well, you were the brains," I say with a light push on his shoulder.

"But these beautiful hands..." Tyler gently takes my hand and softly says, "Are the masterpiece..." I watch him give my hand a light kiss and it makes my heart fly at the feeling of his soft lips.

He gives me that mysterious smile as he looks up with shiny eyes. I do a small chuckle, but the professor interrupts our silent conversation as he says, "Hey, Tyler. We were wondering if you wanted to give us a small show again?" He gestures at the microphone and Tyler kindly shakes his head.

"Tyler Blue rejecting the spotlight?" I playfully say. Tyler does a shy shrug but the professor insists again. "Come on," I gently say.

"I don't know..." Tyler mumbles. "This is your night."

I let out a small laugh. "You are a part of my night."

These words come out so easily. Almost as if I said it just last night. His eyes soften at my words and he jumps on stage. People start to cheer. Of course. They immediately recognize him, but his eyes shine just for me as he steals glances at the side of the stage where I'm at.

I smile watching him announce his cheers to Mister Needles and his success. It's like we're back at the very start as my heart flies with pride when he takes his guitar and tells the students behind him to follow his lead.

Then he says in the microphone, "I would also like to give a cheer to our beautiful hostess who organized this event." He brings out his arm to gesture at me by the stage and my cheeks turn bright red as I kindly nod at a clapping crowd. Tyler gives me a quick wink before saying, "This is for you."

The music starts and the crowd starts to dance. The room suddenly has this brightness or maybe it's just my heart melting at the sound of his beautiful voice. Its upbeat song copies the rhythm of my happy heart. I can see Anna and Gail do a small dance on the side of the room. Fabio finds my eyes and gives me his firm smile.

Everything is perfect. Just how it used to be. I look back at him as his eyes look away from the spotlight and onto me.

I can see it. That change. Even in the way his eyes shine. There's this peace in them that brings me to wonder that perhaps...we can try again.