She's striking. Long dark hair, warm brown eyes, the kind of face that belongs on the big screen. She's wearing a Team Blaze polo and flat sneakers that have seen mileage. The only woman within fifty feet of Logan Parker who isn't looking at him like he's on a menu.
“Logan!” The boy breaks into a run.
Logan's head snaps up.
He lights up.
“Hey, little man!” He catches the boy with one arm, ruffling his hair. “What'd you think? Be honest.”
The kid's words tumble over each other. “Third place in your first race! Max's overtake in the chicane wasinsane!”
Logan crouches to his level. No trace of the man who was barking at an engineer thirty seconds ago.
“Good eye,” Logan says, nodding seriously. “The overtake was instinct, but the engine held up. You spotted that?”
The boy grins so hard his cap shifts. “I’ve been following on the app.”
The woman reaches them, slightly out of breath. “Luca, I told you not to sprint off.”
“Sorry, Mari.” He doesn't look sorry at all.
Logan straightens. “Marianna.” He lifts his sunglasses onto his head, leans toward her. Voice deeper than usual. “Glad you guys made it.”
“Congratulations.” She offers a reserved smile. “Luca has been counting down the days.”
“So have I,” Logan says. His eyes stay on her a beat longer than necessary before the boy tugs his sleeve, already firing off another question about fuel loads.
The moment passes.
I glance at Kai. He's watching too, brow furrowed, like he's trying to puzzle something out.
Ethan catches my eye and gives the smallest shrug.No idea.
“Who’s that?” I ask him.
“Why? Worried you're not the first number in his speed dial anymore?”
I stick my tongue out at him, making Kai laugh.
“You two deserve each other,” Ethan says, walking away towards the riders.
Kai wraps his arms around me from behind. “Should we go back to the hotel?”
“Yes, the heat is making me sleepy.”
Later that night,I stand in front of the open window in our suite. Monaco's skyline casts golden streaks across the water. I'm tired but buzzing, too wired to settle.
He notices.
Instead of the bedroom, he takes my hand and leads me to the terrace.
Cool air against my skin. The view of the city stretched out below, glittering and quiet.
A telescope sits by the railing. Its silver body gleams under the moonlight.
“What's this?”
His lips curve. “Take a look.”
