Sloane didn’t argue. She surged forward and kissed her, immediate and decisive, no hesitation, no second-guessing. Reese made a low sound of surprise before melting into it, hands coming up automatically, one sliding to Sloane’s waist to pull her closer.
Sloane smiled against her mouth. “There she is.”
Reese laughed softly, breathless, and kissed her again.
The knock hit the door hard behind them.
“Reese? You in there?”
They froze, eyes wide, foreheads pressed together, breaths uneven.
“You havegotto be kidding me,” Reese muttered.
“Driver debrief,” Delaney’s voice continued. “Rodney wants to start in five.”
“Got it.” She exhaled in defeat. “I’ll be there.”
“Are you doing okay?” Delaney asked. “Do you want to talk about what happened out there?”
“I’m fine. Just taking a minute to feel,” her gaze fell to Sloane and her eyes softened, “like myself again.”
“You got it. I’ll meet you in there.”
Sloane rested her forehead briefly against Reese’s shoulder, smiling despite herself. “That’s my cue. You’ve got to get to work, and so do I.”
Reese stole one more quick kiss. “I’ll see you later?”
“Mm-hmm,” Sloane said, touching her good-and-kissed lips. “I have a dinner thing with some old friends. We get together whenever I’m in town.”
“I’m gonna hang with mine, too.After?” Reese bounced her eyebrows.
“You’re incorrigible.” But Sloane knew that she owed Reese and would delight in making things even between them later.
“Can’t say that’s new. Can’t say it will ever change, either,” Reese smiled. “But I’m charming, right? Peoplealwayssay I’m charming.”
“You’re a little charming.”
“See?” Reese’s playful smile dimmed to sincere. “Seriously, though. Thank you for coming in here. I do feel better, and it’s because of your presence. Your words.” She looked skyward. “I guess we just wait out the possible scandal.”
“Can’t say I’m often a part of one of those.”
She laughed quietly. “Welcome to Reese. I’d better go.”
Sloane took a seat. “For discretionary purposes, I’ll hang back a few minutes.”
“You look good in my room,” Reese said, eyeing her on the bench.
“Get out of here,” Sloane said with a smile.
She did. Once alone, Sloane let it all settle. She hadn’t given herself space to think about the fallout of the very public argument yet. Not really. She’d been too focused on Reese, on making sure she was okay, and then of course, they’d gotten carried away.
But people would be looking at them differently, trying to decide if the rumors were true. They’d assess, speculate, and decide what version of the story they preferred. Sloane had no intention of showing favoritism among the drivers, yet others would watch and wonder. It wasn’t a great spot to be in, but could she walk away from what she’d started with Reese? No.She wasn’t sure how to hit the off switch on something that had made her feel alive for the first time in years, and she didn’t want to.
Sloane exhaled slowly and reminded herself of a few important things.
First: nothing about what was happening felt wrong. Not the quiet conversations. Not the laughter. Not even the passion that had bubbled over and lingered with her even now.
Second: she was allowed to want this. Whateverthiswas becoming.
