“She’s halfway there. Might need to grow a little to reach the pedals though.”
Lucia leaned in, her voice quieter, “I just wanted to say thank you again. For everything. The calm room has been a total game changer.”
I waved her off, but warmth bloomed in my chest anyway. When Lucia and Gianna first joined us on track I had decided to use my pull as the owner’s daughter to make a designated room for them. We called it the calm room—it was cozy and private and a place to escape all the noise when it got to be too much. “It was nothing. You and Gia deserve space that feels safe.”
She smiled, and I gestured for her to follow me. “Come on. Let me show you what I added.”
We walked through the paddock and toward the tucked-away side room I’d designed a few months ago. This weekend was a little different but still cozy. It had low lights, beanbags, blankets, noise-canceling headphones, and a small monitor streaming the race feed. A haven, just for them. I unlocked the door and let them in.
Gianna immediately wiggled out of her mother’s arms and bee-lined for the pink beanbag.
“Oh, hang on G,” I said, tapping my fingers, “We’re missing someone.”
I ducked into the hallway and gave a small whistle. Monty padded over, leash dragging behind him.
“Special guest for Gianna,” I said as I let him in.
Gianna squealed and immediately launched into a full-on puppy snuggle.
Lucia laughed softly. “You’re seriously the best.”
“Stop saying nice things about me. I might start getting a reputation,” I smiled.
“You’re a nice person, Moretti!” she shouted as I walked to the door. I blew them each a kiss.
“I prefer to be scary!” Then I pulled the door closed behind me, slipping right back into the rush of the garage.
My phone was already in my hand as I typed out a note about signage placement. I didn’t even realize someone was watching me until I felt it—heat, attention, and something dangerously familiar.
I looked up.
Matteo.
He was leaning lazily against one of the garage partitions, still half in his Moretti track suit, curls messy and a half-grin on his face like he’d just won something.
He didn’t say anything at first, just let his gaze slide over me in a way that made me feel too seen.
“What?” I asked, arching a brow and praying my voice came out steady.
“You look hot being bossy.”
I blinked. “Excuse me? Would you shut up? We’re in a public hallway, idiot.”
He pushed off the wall, coming closer with a swagger that didn’t belong this early in the morning. “Bossy. Focused. All fire. Kind of a thing for me.”
I scoffed, but the way heat shot straight down my spine betrayed me. “I’m busy, and you’re annoying.”
“And yet,” he smirked, “You’re still talking to me.”
“I’m only talking to you because I haven’t had enough coffee to make better choices.”
He leaned closer, voice dropping. “I can make a very compelling case for being your worst choice.”
I should have rolled my eyes, even tried to throw a snarky comment. Shoved him toward a debrief. But instead, my mouth curled in a traitorous smile, and I stepped just close enough for him to notice.
“You think you’resocharming.”
He grinned. “Iam.”
