“But I couldn’t completely close up shop. I’ve built a community of subscribers, and those people count on me. So I brought?—”
“Ric.”
At the sound of my assistant’s voice, I snap my head to one side. Quinn is standing several yards away with my headset in hand, wearing a look of exasperation.
“I’m so sorry,” I tell Evangeline, my mood sinking a little. “I need to go. Could we meet up later, perhaps?”
The second the words leave my mouth, I wish I could take them back. The audacity there is ridiculous. I can’t “meet up later” with a subordinate. Who also happens to be significantly younger than meandmy son’s ex.
“No need. I’m rambling.” She laughs, extending her arm. “Here. Take this.”
Eagerly, I reach out and accept what she’s offering.
She places a small, lightweight red column in my palm. It’s made of some sort of plastic, and there’s a little clicker button no bigger than my thumb on top.
“It’s a fidget. I color-matched the Granata logo and used a soft blend filament so it won’t make a sound. You can keep it in your pocket or use it during the race. If it helps, that is.” She holds up a hand. “No worries if you don’t like it.”
I test out the button and smile when it compresses and makes a barely thereclick.
“You made this for me?” I turn it over in my hand, then assess her again.
Her whole being illuminates. “Mm-hmm. I make them for all my friends.”
A bitter sensation sweeps through me and frustration rears its head once more. The last thing I want is to be this woman’s friend.
My body is still clearly in charge, my focus once again fixated on those perfect cherry red lips just begging to be kissed. I scan the freckles dotting her cheeks and nose to try to stifle the urge to touch her.
She watches me, her cerulean eyes full of joy. Expectant hopefulness radiates off her.
“Thank you for this,” I finally say, forcing myself to break the spell we’ve once again found ourselves under. “I do have to get going now.”
With a dip of her chin, she squeezes my forearm. “Good luck today.”
I swallow back a groan, then ball my free hand into a fist, fighting my every cell’s instinct to her touch.
I smile back, awkwardly wave, and turn to head to the wall.
Before I make it even two steps, she calls my name.
Holding my breath, I turn.
She’s right where I left her, grinning, with her hands clasped in front of her chest. “Get excited. It’s going to be great.”
I don’t bother tempering my smile. Instead, I allow her contagious enthusiasm to illuminate me from the inside. I’m still smiling when I accept my headset from Quinn and finally take my place on the pit wall.
CHAPTER 15
ALARIC
“Ollie, no. Put your sister down,” Sophie scolds, hustling over to the corner of my office to pry her little girl out of her son’s arms.
I chuckle. Damn, the kid is clever.
He couldn’t quite reach the 1988 Granata championship model car I keep on one of the higher bookshelves, and even though I asked him not to touch it, he enticed his little sister to toddle over, then hoisted her up and instructed her to grab it.
My ex-wife’s children are rascals, but I love them.
Once Soph has rescued Lily, she sits both kids down on the floor and pulls out sticker pages and coloring sheets. When they’re finally settled, she circles my desk so I can show her the official race intro video for this year.
