“You’re looking good, Foster. But since when do you not?”
“Oh, Veronica, I love you. I also have a feeling you didn’t come all the way out here to boost my ego, so what’s going on?”
“What? I can’t visit my good friend and one of the best drivers ever to hit the circuit?”
“Wow. Now a driving compliment?” Sloane narrowed her gaze and held up a finger. “Veronica Vance, as good a driver as she is, is just as savvy a businesswoman and doesn’t appear in my city unannounced without an ask.”
“I’m wounded, honestly. That’s what you think of me?” She bumped Sloane’s shoulder to knock a little sympathy her way.
“Hmm no, you’re not.”
“Fine,” she said with a laugh. Veronica could own her shit. She also brought an impressive résumé. Her friend had becomea prominent figure in racing over the years, having worked for Laurens, Ravensport, and even the FIA for a stint before moving into consulting. Veronica excelled at building airtight team systems and commanded attention wherever she went. Her high-gloss look and God-given beauty definitely didn’t hurt, and she harnessed both to open doors. Sloane had always been the quieter, less flashy of the two, which was ironic because—as one of the few female drivers in F1 history—she’d received more attention.
“I do have one little thing to discuss, but I did miss you.”
Sloane bumped Veronica’s shoulder this time. “At least there’s that.”
“Want to sit?”
Sloane eyed the table by the window where Veronica had been working: a laptop, her attaché case, and a half-empty mug of coffee. She’d been camped out there for a while. What was all of this about?
“We can do that. I don’t have any client consults until this afternoon, so I have time. Why not?” She slid into the chair across from Veronica’s and waited. This should be interesting if nothing else.
Veronica stared, shifted, then balked. “No small talk at all? You just want me to jump in cold?”
“How’s your mom?” Sloane said to appease her, but also because Cassandra Vance was like a Real Housewife, always into something scandalous or expensive. The best stories came from when it was both.
“Still caught up in herself, buying out half of Barney’s, but sends you her love.” Veronica dabbed the corners of her mouth with a napkin. “She was excited I’d be seeing you this morning and wants me to steal you away for a holiday ski weekend with the family.” Aha. So today wasn’t a whim at all. Veronica hadplanned this Venice Beach ambush. She scooped up that clue and continued on.
“Tell her if she’ll make her famous hot toddies, I’m there, but no skimping on the good whiskey.”
“It’s like you don’t even know her.” Veronica sat back and smiled. “You still working with that European auto company?”
“I consult for a lot of different companies, but they’re one of them, sure.”
“Because you know cars. Maybe more than anyone I know.”
Sloane traced the top of her cup with one finger. “Uh-oh. My ego’s going to weigh me down just walking to my car. Veronica Vance, who are you about to contract me to murder?”
Veronica snapped forward, now in fullI’m-about-to-impress-youexecutive mode. “Fine. Let’s get right to it. I want you to come to work with me this season.” She glanced at her watch. “And it starts soon.”
Sloane knew the season was starting soon. She couldn’t ignore it if she tried. And she had. “At the little experiment you have going?” She’d heard about Veronica’s latest project through the rumor mill of their mutual friends—something about developing up-and-coming female drivers who wouldn’t normally be given the spotlight they deserved. A noble cause. They both knew how steep the climb was for women in the sport.
“It’s not an experiment,” Veronica said flatly. “It’s a full-blown racing academy, and it’s going to elevate the game for a lot of female drivers. We’re weeks from launching.”
Sloane lifted a brow. “And you’re able to fund all of this? How?”
Veronica smiled. “Because the F1 teams are already in.”
That got Sloane’s attention.
“Not only that, but they’re sending people,” Veronica continued. “Talent scouts. Performance directors. Engineers. Some of them are fielding junior programs through it, and otherteams are backing full academy entries—two-car teams under their own banners. We’re talking Ravensport, Laurens, Halo Racing, the big guys. A few have already agreed to reserve-rights deals.”
Sloane leaned back. “So this isn’t just visibility.”
“No. It’s also about access. These drivers won’t just be racing each other. They’ll be racing under observation. Every weekend. We’re putting these women on the map.”
“And the people who make the decisions? The F1 team principals?”
