I unlocked my door and stood there in the dark, waiting for one of them to fade.By morning, I’d stopped expecting them to.
Chapter Nine
Lily
There was nothing I loved more than visiting Georgia and Luca’s Monaco flat.Their home was between a lovely bakery and one of my favorite bars in the city.Each morning, I woke to the scent of fresh croissants drifting up from the bakery below, and each night, I fell asleep to laughter.
“Don’t take this the wrong way,” I said, pinching the zipper at my ribs, “but your boyfriend isexceptionallybad at hiding a ring box.”
Georgia’s eyes lifted in the vanity mirror, a sly grin etched onto her face.“I’ve pretended all month that I haven’t seen that box.”She widened her eyes in mock surprise, pressing a hand to her chest.“Luca!I had no idea!What a complete and total shock!”
I snorted.“Don’t quit your day job.Acting may not be your calling.”
She threw a makeup sponge at me, and I caught it midair, laughing as I tossed it back.
Georgia had been there for me over the past three years.The grueling races, the endless media scrutiny, the constant pressure to prove myself in a sport dominated by men.She was the one constant in my chaotic life, and I missed her desperately as my teammate.Luca was a fine substitute, but things were always so easy with Georgia.
“So,” Georgia said, turning to me with a sly grin, “Henri mentioned he saw you with Ollie the other night.How was yourdate?”
I felt my cheeks burn, and I wanted to ask if that was all he’d mentioned.
“It was really nice, actually,” I said, aiming for casual.“We caught up on old times.He’s clearly doing well for himself these days.”
Georgia raised an eyebrow.“If I’m being honest, I’ve always secretly hoped you’d end up with Henri,” she laughed.
How close she’d almost been to getting her wish…
“Anysparksafter the dinner?”
I shook my head no, ignoring her shimmying shoulders and giddy smile.
“Well, maybe next time.You deserve some fun!Just because we’re always traveling, doesn’t mean you can’t do a little dating… or otherthings.I mean, who was the last guy you even kissed?”
Henri’s face flashed through my mind, and I was immediately transported back to Montreal.I reached for my drink and took a long sip, contemplating how “your brother” probably wasn’t the right answer.
Georgia dabbed another layer of highlighter across her face.“Look, Ollie’s cute, and he understands our world without being in it.”
I nodded.“It was nice to get out.He planned everything, and it was nice to feel wanted.Even if he is a member of the press…”
Georgia laughed.“Well, Ollie sounds lovely, and he’s been nothing but nice to Valkyrie in the paddock.I know Henri was annoyed with him after the press conference in Montreal, but it’s Ollie’s job to ask those tough questions.”Georgia shrugged.“Henri doesn’t need to make enemies with the press.In fact, it’s why I invited Ollie tonight.Hoping he and Henri could smooth out whatever weird tension that was in the press conference.”
“You did?”My champagne sloshed dangerously close to the rim.“You think that’ll work?”
Georgia glanced meaningfully at a framed photo of her and her brother on the dresser.A photo of them from her World Driver’s Championship win last year in Brazil.I watched Georgia carefully.If I’d noticed the unsettling way Henri was acting in the paddock, then shedefinitelyhad.She toyed with a hairpin, her expression troubled.
“Something is off with Henri,” she said quietly.“He’s been a bit off all season.He used to be so joyful.I mean, all we’d talk about was racing.Now, it’s like it’s the farthest thing from his mind.”Georgia worried like it was her job.It was probably what made her such a dedicated friend, and a fierce teammate at Valkyrie F1.
“He’ll be fine,” I said, aiming for light and breezy.“This week’s Grand Prix is Monaco.He was born to win here.”
“That’s what scares me.”She turned to look at me directly.“It’s been eight years, and he’s never won Monaco before.If I he doesn’t this weekend, I don’t know what it’ll do to him.All those years of losing your home race—yourdreamrace—does something to you.”
I knew that feeling intimately.Three years of losing Silverstone had been gutting enough.But eight years of Monaco?That would break anyone.
I squeezed her shoulder reassuringly.“Well, maybe this weekend will be the turning point.If anyone can win Monaco, it’s Henri Dubois.”
Part of me couldn’t believe I was saying that about my competitor.The truth was, I wanted desperately to win this weekend—a thought best kept to myself, I decided.Not that Georgia didn’t see through it.
“Well, with you out there pushing him, he’ll have no choice but to bring his A game.”
