“I think you aced that one.” Reese blew a strand of hair off her forehead and lay there an extra moment, her body heavy and happy on the cool sheets.
Sloane’s voice floated in. “Also, I love the noises you make just before.”
“I don’t make sounds.”
“God, you so do.”
Reese laughed and turned over, grabbing her phone. She’d called Luke and her mom the night before and texted the news to The Starting Grid to ensure her friends would hear it from her before any of the race outlets, which she knew would be reporting that morning.
She took a look at the messages now, smiling at them.
Marissa had been first.
Marissa
Fuck yeah, you saucy little race minx. You actually did it! Do you know how hard I’m going to hug you tomorrow?
Delaney must have seen the message early that morning, probably on her way to work out.
Delaney
Literally shaking right now. Are you kidding me? Let’s fucking goooooo!
Cassidy had yet to chime in, which meant she was probably not up yet, the resident sleepyhead of Formula Next. She’d once slept through her own practice session.
Room service arrived, Sloane’s doing, and Reese, in her underwear and a black tank top, nursed an orange juice as shewatched the sun rise higher and higher in the sky. Fresh from the shower and wearing a fluffy robe, Sloane came to stand behind her, her cheek pressed to the side of Reese’s shoulder. “Excited?”
“Nervous.”
“Pshh. Since when do you get nervous? This is a good thing,” Sloane said finally, low and sure. Not the voice she used on pit walls or in meetings. This one was just for Reese, intimate and familiar. “No matter how it shakes out.”
Reese nodded, though her chest felt too tight for words. “I keep thinking I’m going to walk in there and they’ll squint a minute and realize I’m not what they ordered, like an erroneous Big Mac.”
“They won’t,” Sloane said immediately, without hesitation. She tipped her forehead to Reese’s. “And if it’s not a fit, that says nothing about you. Remember, this is a business as much as it is a sport.”
Something in the center of Reese’s chest loosened, and she relaxed. Sloane had a way of adjusting her perspective right when she needed it. “You always know what to say. You’re too wise. You’ve gotta stop it.”
Sloane huffed softly. “Untrue. I just knowyoumore and more each day.”
For a few seconds, the world narrowed to the space between them. The hum of the hotel faded. The pressure of what came next paused, suspended.
“This has been a good morning.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” Sloane brushed her thumb along Reese’s jaw. “Go get ready,” she said, gentler now. “Walk in there like you belong. Because you do.”
Reese leaned in, pressing a quick kiss to Sloane’s mouth—warm, grounding, full of promise and restraint all at once. “I’ll see you after? Say yes.”
“I feel like that’s becoming your signature line.” Sloane’s smile was soft but sure. “I’ll be right here.”
Reese lingered one heartbeat longer, then stepped back before she could overthink it. Before the moment asked for more than either of them could give. It was perfect as it was.
Forty-five minutes later, Reese had just finished pulling on her jacket in her own room, nerves buzzing under her skin like static, when the knock came.
She frowned at the door, not expecting anyone.
When she opened it, Cassidy launched herself forward into Reese’s arms. “Well, hi,” Reese said with a laugh.
“Oh my God,” Cassidy said, wrapping Reese in a fierce hug, her cheek pressed hard against Reese’s shoulder. “You did it. I mean—you haven’t done it yet—but youdid it. You’re gonna do it. I’m so proud of you that I can’t stand it.”
