Page 2 of Downforce

“Tell me about it,” Chloe gripes.

“You know this, and yet you’re ready to sacrifice me to the wolves?”

Chloe laughs, making my smile grow.

“I’m hoping since you live on a different continent that the men over in Europe are better than the ones over here.”

“Don’t bet on it. The guys I meet lack creativity. Or interest. Or … I don’t know. They want arm candy, not an actual relationship. There’s no real interest in me as a person,” I admit.

I hold off on telling her the number of men who’ve feigned interest in me as a means to get closer to Travis. Especially since he won the championship last year. Everyone wants to be in his orbit, and if it takes sidling up to his assistant/sister, so be it.

Luckily, most of those dudes are easy to weed out.

“Men aren’t important right now.”

I rise from the bed, and before she has time to follow up with more questions on my dating life, or lack thereof, I turn her so that she’s facing the dress again.

That’s a conversation I’d like to avoid for as long as possible. I’m not opposed to love and all that comes with it, but right now isn’t the right time for me. Not until I can figure myself out, which might be a while.

“What do you think of the outfit?” I ask. “Not too much?”

When I bring the tablet around to face me again, my sister has that worried look in her eye.

A pit in my stomach opens as I quickly think back to how many times I’ve asked this same question during the course of this conversation. Three times, I think. Not too many. Certainly not enough to worry her.

Is it?

“Are you⁠—”

“I’m not,” I cut her off. “I’m simply checking in because I trust your fashion advice.”

I can hold my own in terms of fashion, but I’ll admit, Chloe’s style is a little more refined than mine. She has a more discerning eye. Which is why I don’t like how she’s using those eyes to watch me. It makes me think of the ways I’ve worried my family in the past.

Not something I want to think about right now.

“I’m not doing the thing,” I say, finally.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m fine. Just tell me if you like the outfit. Should I add or take anything away? I’ll drop it.”

Chloe pushes out a heavy breath. “It’s perfect.”

I sigh. “Good.” The moment the word exits my lips, a notification pops up that I’m getting another video call.

“That’s Trav.”

“Say ‘hi’ for me. I need to return Vic’s call and then get back to studying,” she says of our cousin. “Love you.”

“Love you. Give Victoria my love as well.”

I switch over to take Travis’ call. “How’re you feeling?”

“I’m fine. A little tired,” he answers as he walks down the hallway in his luxury apartment. From the angle I can tell he’s headed toward the nursery where my favorite person in the whole world is either sleeping or just woken up.

“I wasn’t talking about you,” I reply when he enters the nursery. “How’s my little guy feeling?”

Before Travis can answer, I hear Lucky crying. My heartstrings tug and I poke out my bottom lip.