Ceci congratulated Nico, thrilled she’d come in second even though Anker hadn’t made the podium. It was Nico’s best showing yet.
She raced for the Maverick team, the same team Rocco drove for. They had been rivals when they’d first become teammates, but they weren’t rivals any longer. Now they were a couple.
And an adorable one at that.
It was a mystery to Ceci how they managed to maintain a relationship. Both were highly competitive and wanted to win. But what did winning look like when it meant the person you loved had to lose? How could you ever really want them to win when it meant you’d lose?
Ceci shook her head. “How do you and Rocco do it? Anyone can see how happy he is that you came in second. And yet, he came in third driving the same car built by the same engineers and technicians. How can he be happy?” She paused. “How can you be, when he beats you? There’s no way of getting around the fact that when one of you wins, the other one loses.”
Sighing, Nico shrugged. “I don’t know. I just know that I’m happy when he wins. Maybe when you love someone, they become a part of you. So, as long as one of you wins, you don’t lose.”
Knitting her brow, Ceci shook her head, doubtful.
Such a thing seemed impossible to her.
I guess love really does change a person. Or can. With some people.
Just then Rocco’s sister, Isabella, and her two daughters, Sofia and Beatrice, came up.
Rocco was lucky. There were always family members at his races. Aunt Delilah and Pixel showed up when they could. But they couldn’t attend every race.
The girls made a grand, sweeping bow to Nico.
“Milady, we commend thee,” they said in unison.
Sofia placed her hand over her heart. “Thy swift speed has succeeded in vanquishing the Black Knight from the kingdom.”
Beatrice mimicked her sister. “Now the people may live in tranquility and peace.”
Ceci and Nico burst out laughing.
Isabella shook her head. “They’re into knights now. You know the Knights of the Round Table …”
Ceci nodded. “I see. Who’s the Black Knight?”
“Who do you think?” Nico asked, raising her eyebrows.
“Ian?”
Nodding, both Nico and Isabella laughed.
Ceci chuckled. “I guess that makes sense.”
Isabella turned to Nico. “I was going to ask if you and Rocco could watch them after you’ve finished your press interviews. One of my friends from college who I haven’t seen in years is here in Barcelona.”
“Sure,” Nico said. “I just don’t know when we’ll be finished. Can I give you a definite time when I have a better idea?”
Inspiration struck.
“I’ll watch them,” Ceci blurted before Isabella had a chance to respond.
Both Isabella and Nico turned with puzzled expressions while the girls began jumping up and down. “Yes! Say yes, Mamma! Please let us go with Aunt Ceci.”
Even though she wasn’t a member of the family, she had the honorary title of aunt. Rocco and she had been friends for years. And his nieces knew her well.
Isabella frowned. “You sure? It’s Barcelona. Don’t you want to go out?”
Ceci shook her head. “No, it’ll be fun. We’ll order in. I don’t leave until the day after tomorrow, and they’ve hung out with me before.”
