JSFiddle - React, Tailwind, and code Playground

HTML

<a href="" title="Design" class="reMode_design  reMode_hover">
    <span>Design</span>
</a>

<a href="" title="Design" class="reMode_design  reMode_hover reMode_selected">
    <span>Design</span>
</a>

CSS

.reMode_selected.reMode_hover:hover {
    background-color:inherit;
}
.reMode_hover:hover {
    background-color: #f0ac00;
}