Chapter 87

Acceptance

Kate POV

I really do feel bad for what I said. I was trying to be funny but it definitely didn't come out that way. She does have a point though, maybe the stress is getting to her. "Rhi, I'm so sorry. Thank you for accepting my apology and forgiving me. I'll try to be more conscious of what I'm saying about it, I promise. Let's get back to the table, I need a drink too." She links arms with me, and we exit the bathroom and head back to the patio to our table.

As we're walking I see the people who made the comment about not trying to get their information and not wanting the media to make money off of Rhi and Alex. There are actually four of them, two men and the two women. I make a mental note where they are sitting. I'll put my plan in place when we get back to the table.

We're almost back to the table where Ana and Alex are waiting for us. They look comfortable and relaxed with each other. Alex stands up when we approach the table and pulls out both of our chairs so we can sit. Wow, he's such a gentleman. He really has turned out to be a nice guy and I'm happy that he and Rhi are happy. They remind me of Elliot and me when we first met, Ana and Christian not so much. Their relationship is different on a whole other level. Speaking of Elliot, I miss him. I'm going to text him tonight when we get back to the room.

"So, did we miss anything exciting?" I say as we sit down. Ana is looking at me with an eyebrow raised so I just smile back and wink at her. I don't have to say anything for her to know everything is OK.

I watch Alex and Rhi, they look so cute together, it's no wonder the world is fascinated with them. She's beautiful and he's an old school gentleman courting her. I don't think I've ever met someone who treats anyone the way he treats Rhi.

I look around and flag down the waitress. As she makes her way over, I write 'Thank you' on a napkin.

When the waitress arrives, she looks concerned. "Is everything ok?"

I look at her and smile. "Oh yes, everything is great. I just have a request. There is a group of four people sitting at a table near the bar. One woman has curly brown hair and is wearing a black shirt. The other woman has blonde hair and is wearing a hot pink shirt. One of the men has blonde hair and is wearing a Hawaiian shirt." After describing the women, I ask, "Can you send them a round of drinks along with this napkin please?"

She looks confused but smiles and responds, "Sure thing!"

I watch as she walks away toward their table. She says something, hands the brown-haired woman the napkin and the woman turns and looks in my direction.

I raise my margarita to her, nod and smile. Hopefully, she knows what it's about. Her eyes flick to Rhi and she smiles back and nods.

Ana POV

"What was that about Kate?" I ask, as I watch her interaction with the woman across the room.

Kate smiles and replies, "I was saying thank you to the woman who recognized Rhi and Alex and refused to find out their information because she didn't want the media to make money off them."

Rhi looks surprised. "Wow, that's pretty cool of her, when did that happen?" She asks.

Kate smiles, "When we were waiting for our table. I overheard her talking about it. The hostess wanted to give us the first table available and cut in line, but I told them no and that we would wait our proper turn." She laughs. "We're normal people, I know there are celebrities that take advantage of their social status, but we're above that."

"Well, that was pretty nice of you. I'm sure she appreciated it. It goes hand in hand with whole 'pay it forward' theme."

Kate shrugs, "I just wanted her to know it was appreciated." She smiles, "So, did Rhi and I miss anything exciting while we were away from the table?"

"Well, the only thing you really missed was I checked the notifications we got and you're right, they were all social media." I sigh. "It seems Alex and Rhi really put on a show and are all over the internet again. There are tons of uploads of them dancing and a bunch pics of them when we were taking their photos." I look at Rhi and sigh again. "There are a few pics of you guys here in the restaurant too."

Rhi has an expression on her face that I can't define. "I don't get it. What's the big deal? It's kind of an invasion of privacy, taking pictures when we were posing." She's silent for a moment before continuing, "Then again, we did pose in public so I guess it's not really an invasion of privacy." I nod in agreement.

Kate has been looking at her phone and adds, "On a good note, based on the comments from people on the social media pages, it looks like very few people actually want to know their names. It sounds like they only want to have the chance to see you guys live, not just online. I guess they don't want to ruin the fun you two are having." I watch as she reads off of her screen. "It also says that people don't want the media to make money off of you by interviewing you to sell their magazines." Looking up at Rhi she says, "Personally, I think that's pretty cool of them."

Rhi looks at me and asks, "So what does that mean?"

I look back at her, "It basically means that people are going to start trying to find where you are just to get videos and pictures but aren't going to try to find out WHO you are. You're going to have groupies." I laugh at the face she makes.

She rolls her eyes and says, "Good God, we're not celebrities! It's kind of funny, and a little flattering, but I think it's WAY over the top. What do you think Alex?"

I look over at Alex, who's been quietly listening to us talk, and he's got an amused smile on his face as he's gazing at Rhi. He's silent for a moment longer then says, "I think it's pretty cool that the world is focused on the happiness part and not the monetary part. I like the fact that no one, so far anyway, is trying to find out our personal information. The only thing I don't like is the fact that people are going to be following or lingering around waiting for us to get the urge to do something. We can either run with it or try to avoid it, but I think it's a little too late to avoid. If there's no danger to you, I'm ok with it. However, the minute I get a feeling that something could happen to risk your safety, I won't be too happy and will find a way to stop it. We don't really need stalkers, you especially." He continues to look at her, "What do you think? What do you want to do? Do you want to continue or stop?"

We all look at Rhi, waiting for her decision. "I guess I'm ok with it, because I love the spontaneity of it and it's fun." She blushes and smiles at Alex, "So I'm ok with it until, like you said, safety for BOTH of us becomes a concern."

The waitress stops back by our table and Rhi asks her, "Can we get a round of shots of tequila please?" She looks around the table. "Just one." Slowly, we all nod but we have our suspicions. The waitress nods and heads toward the bar to get our order.

Rhi takes a drink of her margarita. There's a long pause and she looks at us like she's debating on saying something. Finally, she says, "Don't get upset when I tell you this." She looks at Kate and me and I get a feeling that what she's about to say isn't going to be something we are going to like. We sit silently as she continues. "Well, back home when I go out, I'm pretty well known around town. Think of Norm from Cheers. I walk in, and everyone knows who I am. I wouldn't say I'm proud of it considering they're bars, but I guess you could say I'm sort of a local celebrity in that sense. I'm used to the attention, kind of the 'life of the party' person and have always drawn a crowd, not the best crowd mind you, but a crowd none the less." She looks a little sheepish and continues, "Sorry Alex, the girls don't even know what I'm like when I go out. They hardly ever go with me. Which is why they were just as shocked as you were when I made the comment about going to strip clubs when we first met." She laughs, grinning with a twinkle in her eyes. Before anyone can say anything our food comes. I never thought this would happen but I'm glad the food came when it did.