Lucia rolled her eyes, but the blush on her cheeks gave her away. “Laying it on real thick, Wright.”
My grin widened as I watched her fight back a smile of her own.
Lucia’s blush was becoming one of my favorite things. It crept up her cheeks like a sunrise—soft, warm, and utterly captivating. She crossed her arms, clearly trying to brush off my teasing, but the way her lips twitched betrayed her.
I couldn’t help myself. “You know, you make it way too easy,” I said, my voice low enough for only her to hear. Her eyes darted to mine.
“You’re insufferable,” she muttered, but her cheeks darkened even more.
I laughed, unable to resist the urge to keep her on her toes. “Hold still,” I said, pulling my phone from my pocket.
“What are you doing?” She narrowed her eyes at me.
“Might as well confirm it properly,” I said, tilting the phone to frame both of us. She started to protest, but I slid an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. “Smile, Lucia. You have to look like you like me a little.”
She rolled her eyes but gave a soft smile as I snapped the picture. I glanced at the screen, satisfied with the image. Her eyes were bright, her hair slightly tousled from the race-day chaos, and she looked stunning.
“Perfect,” I murmured.
Lucia glanced at me, raising a brow. “You’re really posting that?”
“Absolutely.” I grinned, already opening the app. I typed out a caption, something simple and understated:Big win, big day, and lucky to share it with her.Adding a heart emoji for good measure, I hit Post.
“You’re ridiculous,” she said, but there was a hint of something softer in her voice.
“Maybe,” I replied, pocketing my phone. “But it’s confirmed from me first.”
Her expression softened. “That’s…thoughtful.”
I shrugged, though her words warmed me more than I wanted to admit. “Just making sure you’re seen in the best light. And, honestly, showering you with fake love online isn’t exactly a hardship.”
Her lips twitched like she was fighting a smile, but she didn’t say anything. I found myself lingering, admiring the way her eyes shone under the fluorescent lights of the motorhome.
“You coming with me to media?” I asked suddenly. I hadn’t planned on asking her, but I found myself wanting her with me, needed her with me, someone to see through the crowd, and keep me grounded. I had been doing this by myself for so damn long, but here I was already attached to my mate’s sister.
She blinked. “Media?”
“Yeah. Post-race press stuff. I’ll be surrounded by reporters for the next hour, and I’d rather not do it without my fake girlfriend nearby.”
Her lips parted, like she was about to argue, but then she sighed. “Fine. But only because Anna will be there.”
Hand in hand, we walked into the media center. The energy shifted the moment we entered, the usual hum of reporters giving way to a buzz of interest. Cameras flashed, and I felt Lucia’s fingers tighten around mine.
“You’re doing great,” I murmured, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.
Anna intercepted us, guiding Lucia toward the back of the room, where she could observe in relative peace. But even standing behind the sea of reporters, Lucia was impossible to miss.
The questions began, directed at the three of us on the podium. They covered the usual topics—strategy, the car, the race itself. I answered easily, the routine familiar after years in the sport. But then, inevitably, the questions turned personal.
“Alexander,” one reporter started, her tone sly. “You looked especially jubilant today after the win. Is there someone special who might have contributed to that?”
The room chuckled, and I leaned into the microphone with a practiced smirk. “You know,” I began, my voice smooth, “I am very lucky. It’s not every day you get to win a race and have someone amazing waiting for you at the finish line.”
The crowd murmured, clearly enjoying the comment. I didn’t miss the way a few reporters glanced toward the back of the room, where Lucia stood with Anna.
Another reporter piped up, “Can we expect to see more of her at the races?”
“That depends,” I said, a glint of mischief in my eye. “You’ll have to ask her.”
