I raise an eyebrow. “You could have anyone in this room you want,” I tell her because Annalise is not only beautiful, she’s stunning.
Her gaze drops and she makes a face that I can’t exactly read.
Travis’ sister doesn’t lack confidence, and I can’t be the only one who’s noticed more than one guy checking her out whenever we’ve gone out together.
“That’s neither here nor there,” she replies. “It looks like tonight’s event will raise a lot for the upcoming projects your team is working on.”
I nod and drop my gaze to the glass of sparkling cider.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’ve just gotten clearer on what I want to do long-term, and market research to host million-dollar galas isn’t it.”
I tell her about my graduate school plans.
“Now that is one of the best things I’ve heard all week,” she gushes.
“It scares me to think about, especially when I’ll have a newborn soon.”
“You won’t be alone. You’ll have all of the help you need, and it’s not like you have to apply right away. You can take your time and figure out which school is right for you.”
Her words help ease the slight panic that’d started to well up inside of me. While I am more determined than ever to get my Ph.D., my main priority is adjusting to life as a new mom.
What really helps is her assuring me that I won’t be alone.
“I’ve spoken to my boss about it. Éléanor said she’d be happy to work with the Foundation to offer me a part-time role once this year’s contract is up.”
“Excellent. Things are already working out,” Annalise says.
“Don’t they always?” a British-accented voice interrupts.
Annalise’s shoulders stiffen, a placid expression covering her face.
Max Ferreira stands behind her, his ghostly hazel eyes stuck on Travis’ sister. At this point, I’ve met him in person, briefly, before at the Monaco race.
Ferreira.
The name comes back to me from our museum visit. I briefly wonder if there’s a connection.
“Work out, I mean,” he says by way of explanation.
Max’s gaze remains fixed on Annalise.
“You weren’t invited into our conversation,” she snaps at him.
His grin stretches into a smile that if I weren’t totally in love with a man I know to be his rival, would make my heart constrict.
Max glances around. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but this is a public event, is it not?”
“Wrong,” Annalise answers tersely. “Just like you were wrong in that overtake attempt at lap thirty-six in Silverstone.”
Something in Max’s gaze sharpens to a flare, but then quickly extinguishes the moment he blinks.
“I had the position,” he replies calmly, but there’s an underlying strain in his voice. A marked contrast to his usual cool guy demeanor he gives the camera during interviews.
“Which you should’ve given back to me,” Travis says as he comes up behind me, wrapping an arm around my waist. “Why are you here?”
I turn to him at the hint of malice in his tone. I’m aware that Travis isn’t a fan of Max’s but don’t know the details of why. He’s friendly with every other driver he’s introduced me to.
