I nodded slowly, that one grounding me a bit.
“This is my job. My dream. Everything I do is to be better—faster, sharper, smarter. I care deeply about the people in my life, but when I get in the car, it’s just me and the circuit. Everything else waits. I’m partial to yoga as some good training prep too.”
I sat back as the press officer announced one last question. I kept my expression calm, hands folded loosely on the table. I gave one final nod to the reporters and pushed my chair back, thanking the press officer as I stepped off the platform and intothe cooler air of the hallway. The moment the doors swung shut behind me, it felt like I could breathe again—sort of.
“Nice job in there, Starboy,” Anna’s voice chimed as she fell into step beside me, clipboard in one hand, phone in the other. Her stride was brisk, heels clicking against the polished concrete as we walked toward the paddock offices. “Very diplomatic. The internet’s going to eat it up.”
I ran a hand through my hair, trying not to look as restless as I felt. “Didn’t feel very diplomatic.”
“You almost twitched when they mentioned her,” she teased, eyes still on her screen. I shot her a glare, but it didn’t stick. She was right. I’d almost fidgeted when they brought up the photos. I could still see the curve of Nicola’s hips in that pale blue lace every time I blinked. Anna turned the screen of her phone toward me. “Anyway. I’ve got campaign notes for you. Two shoots are going ahead after some final team approvals—one with Carrera, one with a new upcoming F3 star Serena Kolman. Moretti might be picking her up as an Academy racer.”
“Alright sounds good,” I muttered, trying to stay focused.
Anna smirked. “You sure are distracted today.”
We reached the Moretti team hospitality building, and I lingered at the edge of the sidewalk, tapping my fingers against my thigh. I didn’t have another meeting for twenty minutes. Technically, I had time to disappear for a bit. Technically.
Anna raised a brow. “You going to be able to focus the rest of the day, or are you going to spend it texting your not-girlfriend about lingerie until you combust?”
“How do you know about that?” My head spun toward her.
“We went shopping.” She rolled her eyes. “Okay get out of here, you’re useless to me like this,” Anna said, already turning toward her next task. “You’ve got about nineteen minutes before admin wants you back for a walk-through video. Try not to wrinkle your shirt.”
I didn’t wait for her to change her mind.
I was already halfway down the stairs, phone in hand, texting Nicola.
Matteo:
Guess what I’m about to get?
Nicola:
On my nerves?
Matteo:
Cheeky.
I’ve got a small break. About 19 minutes before my next meeting. Please dear God tell me you’re on track.
Nicola:
Location sent.
God help me.
I followed the directions on my phone like it was my new favorite scavenger hunt game. People said hi as I passed, and I smiled and tried to give them a nod of hello or any acknowledgment, but I had a one-track mind. I turned the corner and spotted my fucking kryptonite clad in red heels at the end of the hall.
“Took you long enough,” she said, her sunglasses dipping low on her nose as she looked up at me, those blue eyes that filled my dreams making me think of nothing other than getting her alone.
“Fuck, I missed you,” I whispered, pulling her into me, burying my head in her neck, kissing along the way. She tried to hold back a giggle at the spot I kissed last. And I let myself fucking bask in that moment. Nicola Morettigiggling—who’d have thought?
I mean, I did. I found that spot in Portofino during those sleepless nights. It haunted my thoughts; I wanted to do it again and again.
She pushed my chest with some effort, but it didn’t move me in the slightest. She was so fucking cute, it made my head spin.
“DeLuca, we’re in public. Our whole big reveal is all planned, don’t go mucking it up.”
