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“Zayn Thomas, don’t you dare say that shit ever again.”

I chuckle softly as I glance past her shoulder toward my best friend.

“I’m sure you’re enjoying this,” I murmur.

She understands immediately because she looks toward the same place.

“Denis,” she says quietly. “I’m sorry I never got the chance to know you. And I’m sorry for what happened to you.”

With a sad smile, she looks into my eyes. Hers are already shining with tears.

“But I want you to know that I’m going to make sure Zayn is never alone during those races on June 26th ever again.”

I stare at her, utterly stunned.

It’s obvious she has connected the story I’m telling her now with what I told her after the press photographed me at this year’s race on that exact date.

After that, we stay there together on the ground, wrapped in each other’s arms, looking at the image in front of us.

The conversation I have with Denis every time I visit here happens again now.

I tell him everything I’ve done since the last time I was here.

I tell him about every conversation I’ve had with his parents during our daily calls.

I tell him how fucking much I miss him and how much it still hurts.

It always will.

And then I tell him that I fell in love and…

I wish you could’ve met her, man.

Because I’m going to marry her.

And I want you there.

My best man.

SIXTY-THREE

Zayn

“What’s left on the list?” Selene asks from behind the wheel.

“We’ve only got one more stop,” I tell her, glancing down at my phone. “Take a right at the next intersection.”

Because, obviously, I’m not allowed to drive, she insisted on taking my car, with one security vehicle in front of us and another behind so we can stay alone in here.

Our mothers handed us a shopping list earlier since everyone else from London is supposed to arrive tonight, and they want to finish cooking before then.

“What are we even supposed to buy from there?”

“No idea,” I answer quickly. “It only gives us the address. We’re probably picking something up.”

“Tired already?”

She takes advantage of a red light to glance at me for a few seconds. Then her fingers settle on my thigh, giving it a gentle squeeze before she leans over and presses a soft kiss to my lips.