I didn’t answer. Because I couldn’t deny it, and acknowledging it wouldn’t change anything.
“I don’t care about Michaels,” Imani said, studying me with concern. “I don’t care about your dad. I care about you.”
Cleo nodded. “We’re worried. You do this thing where you convince yourself you’re in control of a situation right up until it smacks you in the face.”
I scoffed. “That’s dramatic.”
“Are you going to be okay walking away when this ends?” Imani asked.
My stomach clenched. “Yes.”
“And if it’s not that simple?” Cleo’s brows rose.
I forced a tight smile. “Then I make it that simple.”
“Right.” Imani didn’t believe me. Not for a second.
Cleo tilted her head. “And if, hypothetically, you catch feelings?”
“I don’t catch feelings.” I shot her a flat look. “The only thing I might be catching is a plane to Singapore.”
Cleo nearly spit her drink. “Wait. You’re going to a race?
“Possibly.” I shifted Hazel’s blanket.
Imani set her coffee down. “You haven’t been to a race since you were eighteen.”
“I know.”
“Since you humiliated Julian in front of half the paddock and made sure he’d never drag you back,” Cleo added.
“He doesn’t want me there now, either.” I chuckled.
When I was younger, he’d drag me around the world for the races and insist I attend sponsor events. At eighteen, I’d had enough, and he legally had no excuses left for keeping me out of conventional schooling. But Julian being Julian, he wouldn’t take no for an answer. So I went to Monaco.
And I got blackout drunk in the paddock. Threw up on a rival team principal’s shoes. Screamed at photographers. Security had to escort me out while cameras captured every second. The footage made international news.
Julian’s pristine reputation took a massive hit.
He sent me to a behavioral wellness retreat in Switzerland for the entire summer. No phone, no internet, just etiquette lessons and silence. But he never asked me to attend another race, so it was more than worth it.
“Then why go?” Imani asked.
“Griffin asked.”
They both stared at me.
Cleo’s brows arched. “That’s it? Griffin asked so you’re considering going back to the place you swore you’d never return to?”
“It’s more complicated than that.”
“Then uncomplicate it,” Imani said.
I sighed. “He’s trying to be a good dad. He hates leaving her every other week. It’s…” I grimaced. “It found a soft spot, I guess.”
Cleo tilted her head, considering me. “And that’s enough to make you go back?”
“Maybe. And maybe because it’s a win-win. My father doesn’t want the baby anywhere near the races. If I show up with her, I’m doing exactly what he hates. Bonus points.”
