“Travis’ flight from China was delayed,” she tells me. “He wanted to be here, but doubted he’d make it in time, which is why he had me stay back for this race.”
Though she doesn’t speak fast, it still takes my brain time to catch up.
Travis’ second race of the season was in Shanghai this past weekend. We’ve talked a few times and texted frequently as I updated him on my move. As soon as I got the job offer from Éléanor, I told him about it and that the job would require a move to Monaco.
He’d been happy but not once did he cop to the fact that he’d gotten me the job in the first place. Nor did he tell me that the apartment I thought the company was renting for me was, in fact, his apartment.
“I’m not doing this,” I say.
“If this place isn’t big enough for you?—”
“Why does everyone keep thinking I’m referring to size?”
“He said you don’t like tight, confined spaces,” Annalise easily answers.
I blink, and blink again.
“He’s right, but that’s not the point,” I say more defensively than I want. “It’s not about the size.”
“If you don’t like the view, we can fix that. My place isn’t too far from here, but it’s not directly on the street. It does tend to get loud and crowded here during race weekend.”
“Race weekend?” I ask.
“The Monaco Grand Prix,” she answers. “Race weekend is huge here. Most Monegasques actually leave that weekend because the influx of visitors and tourists becomes overwhelming.”
She gestures toward the glass door.
“You know, because the country’s not that big.”
I’ve only heard about half of what she’s said since she mentioned the race. I look out and down at the road that creeps like a snake around the front of the building. The main road that traverses the entirety of the country. A lump forms in my throat when I think about the twists and turns.
“Travis races on that?” I don’t know where the question comes from.
“You mean the street?” She nods. “Monaco’s the only country where the drivers race around an entire country in an afternoon. Pretty cool, huh?” Excited sparks in her hazel irises.
I’ve done my best to steer clear of finding out about the world of motorsport. But the idea of racing at ridiculously high speeds on that twisty road fills the pit of my stomach with nausea.
“I can’t live here,” I say, my voice barely audible. I repeat myself, this time more forceful.
“There are a few other options. My parents actually have a place here, too. They come often to visit us both and to stay forthe European races. I don’t think they would have a problem with switching places.”
Again, it takes a while to process her words.
“No,” I say quickly. “I am not staying in any apartment that Travis or his family owns.” I hold up my hand, shaking my head. “I didn’t mean that to come out the way it sounded.”
Annalise folds her arms and observes me.
“What I meant to say that Travis should’ve spoken to me before he up and decided where I was going to live. That wasn’t his choice to make.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I’ll find my own place.”
CHAPTER 15
Alyssia
“Hey, baby girl,” my Uncle Theo answers.
