“Yes,” I said.“Much like that delightful racing movie that made every F1 kid fall in love with racing.”
Lily’s grin bloomed.“You know, I’ve always wanted to drive one of those.”She laughed—a warm, cascading sound that felt like it rewired the entire room.
“I wasn’t planning to go initially,” I admitted.“Didn’t see the point.But my therapist”—the word still felt foreign, heavy—“thought it could be good for me.To remember what driving felt like before it became… whatever it is I’m feeling now.”
Lily’s expression softened, warm and aching.“Henri… that sounds perfect.”
I paused, then added, “I’ll need a partner.”
Her breath caught.Just slightly, but I felt it.
“A partner?”she echoed.
“Co-driver, technically,” I said.“Someone to yell at me when I’m being dramatic.And laugh when I stall out.”
She grinned.“Do you stall out?”
“Look, they’re hard cars to drive,” I said immediately, my hands in the air.“So…” I gave her a small smile.“What do you say?”
Lily’s lips curved upward, her shoulders relaxing as she leaned forward.The smile reached her eyes this time, crinkling the corners.Not the fake one I’d seen in a hundred press conferences, but something rarer that made my heart thump.
“Fuck it.Let’s do it.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Henri
The fog hung thick over the countryside track, moisture condensing on every surface in heavy droplets.Handmade signs pointed toward the “paddock” in crooked letters that looked like they’d been painted by enthusiastic children or possibly drunk adults.It was nothing like the pristine Formula 1 circuits I’d spent my life navigating, and somehow that made it perfect.
My body relaxed the farther we got from London.My shoulders sat lower.My hands didn’t grip the car’s steering wheel with desperation.
When I pulled into the makeshift parking area, I took a moment before cutting the engine.Just sat there, breathing in the smell of old gasoline and something nostalgic that transported me back to being seventeen and stupid and fearless.We used to race these all the time, but with all my F1 obligations, it was hard to schedule a weekend.I emerged from my car looking around at the ramshackle paddock with genuine fondness.
“I can’t believe you race here!”Lily laughed, climbing out into the damp air with clear amusement.“Hope you’re prepared to be humbled by my racing today.”
My mouth twitched toward a smile.“Don’t get any ideas.Humility isn’t exactly my strong suit.”
“Shocking.”She kicked at loose gravel, grinning.“And here I thought you’d turned a new leaf—”
“Henri!”
The shout came from across the paddock, followed by a chaotic stampede of men in racing overalls.
Before I could brace myself, they’d engulfed me in a completely mortifying group hug.
“Guys,” I muttered, trying to extract myself.“This is really not—”
“Missed you too, mate!”Éliott’s voice came from somewhere to my left, followed by a slap to my back that nearly knocked the air from my lungs.My friend, Max, managed to disentangle himself first, his attention immediately shifting to Lily with an obvious interest that made something territorial flare in my chest.
“Well, hello,” Max said with an exaggerated wink that made me want to hit him.“Henri, you didn’t tell us you were bringingher.You’re even prettier in person than on the telly.”
I’m going to murder all of them.
Lily handled it with characteristic grace, holding out her hand.“Hi.That’s not true, but thank you anyway.”
“Ignore them,” I said flatly.“They have no social skills.”
But Éliott was already leaning forward conspiratorially, his voice dropping to what he probably thought was a whisper, but which was absolutely audible to everyone.
