Jennie shrugs. “So fire him.”
I almost smile at that. “Even if I did get rid of arguably the best driver in the sport right now, he would still be in Formula One. I’d still see him at every race.”
“Honey these are bigger problems than we need to solve today.” Jennie stands up and takes my mug and puts it down on the table. Then she basically proceeds to tackle hug me until we’re both toppled over on her couch and giggling. “Just know whatever you decide, I’m here for you. Always. Even if you fire my ass.”
“I love you,” I tell her.
“I love you too.”
* * *
I feel slightly better,but still full of dread, as I make my way across the tarmac to the chartered plane. The rain has come back, almost as hard as earlier today, and the wind has picked up significantly. This is a rare and volatile summer storm for Paris and I’m almost certain it’s going to delay our take-off. Which means more time in the plane with Billy. Great.
As soon as I get on board, he’s the first person I see. The plane has two long, sleek leather couches against the walls as you step onboard. He’s sitting on one of them, across from Rocco and Dario. I didn’t know the exact passenger list, but I assumed it would include both of them along with Clara, Antonio, and Joaquin. And of course my Dad and Adelaide.
I nod at both of them, making sure not to show any emotion at all, and bustle by them. Behind the two couches are a series of single pod seats, also plush two-toned leather like the couches. But they recline fully into beds and have little curtains that drop from the ceiling for privacy. I pick the one at the very back just to get away from everyone. The wall behind me has a door at the end of the aisle that leads to a small hall with two restrooms, one on each side of the plane, and the staff area and kitchen past that. I fight the urge to ask the female flight attendant walking toward me if I can sit back there with her the whole flight.
She smiles at me as she passes and asks me if I need anything. I shake my head and go about settling into my seat. And then I smell him and see the tips of his shoes in my vision as my head is tipped downward and I try to dig out my ear pods from my carry-on. “James.”
“Frankie, I need to talk to you,” he says. His voice sounds different. Maybe I just don’t remember it right.
“Talk then.”
“Privately.”
“It’s a private plane,” I quip, still digging around in my bag even though I feel the ear pods against my fingertips as they sweep the left pocket of the Tumi bag. “So consider that as private as the conversation will get.”
He doesn’t respond, but he doesn’t go away either. Fuck. Antonio wanders by and doesn’t even acknowledge my existence, which for some reason right now, I find hard to take. Everything is hard when your heart aches this much.
“Please Billy…don’t make this public now that it’s nothing,” I whisper and finally raise my eyes to his. There are tears threatening to push their way out of my eyes, and I know he can see that. He looks shocked.
“We’re delayed!” My dad’s voice fills the plane cabin as he and Adelaide make their way onto the plane. He’s carrying both her purse and his leather carryon satchel. I have to admit it’s adorable as he holds her hand and makes sure she is comfortable in one of the seats. “But I’ve been promised it’s not long enough to disembark, so everyone hold tight. I’ve asked for some tapas and juices to be brought out to make this more bearable.”
He finds me with his eyes and he winks. “Ca vama louloutte?”
“Oui papa.” I wave at Adelaide, who waves back. And then I look at Billy. “I have nothing more to say to you. It was fun. And thank you for your help grounding me that night Lucia crashed. You’re a good guy, Billy.”
“I am,” he says, following me down the aisle as I start to walk over to my father and Adelaide. “But I’m also an idiot and a pompous panda that needs to stop being a coward. At least that’s what my sister told me last night when she caught me sulking for yet another night.”
The length of this plane suddenly seems to double as my gait slows. I’m barely walking now. Luckily, Adelaide and my dad are busy settling in and haven’t noticed, but Rocco is watching me with curious eyes. Clara too. She’s now sitting across from him on the couch Billy vacated.
I turn slowly in the aisle, trying not to make any sudden movements, because I definitely don’t want more people paying attention to this conversation. “What are you doing?”
He’s so close, and all I want to do is touch him.
“Everything okay kids?” My dad asks.
“Yeah,” Billy says as I bend to hug Adelaide. “Except that I’m in love with your daughter, and I think someone on this plane hurt her, and I want to kill them.”
Oh my God. What the hell….
