Page 65 of Downforce

“I like to think so,” I reply easily. “Having worked with Travis the past few years and getting an insider feel for this industry as a whole, I’m very aware of how his image would fit well into your company’s marketing strategy.”

Liam’s eyes light up.

He smells dollar signs. Which is a good thing.

“That’s good news for us considering what happened with the previous athlete we took on as a sponsor,” Randy says.

Previous athlete? I hadn’t heard anything about their brand being associated with another athlete. I want to ask but refrain.

“I suppose you heard all about that,” Liam says, glancing down at me as we follow the hostess toward a circular glass table in the corner of the restaurant. The position gives us a spectacular view of the yachts sailing in the marina. Many of which are here for the Grand Prix.

“Yes, that must’ve been a tough break,” I lie, grateful my voice comes out confident. “But I assure you that with Travis, your company’s image is safe.”

“Yeah, that’s what we thought with our last signing,” Randy scoffs.

Liam looks over at his partner, frowning. “You’ll have to excuse him. He was severely let down by Skyland and everything that happened last year.”

“Skyland Grant?” My brother’s previous teammate who turned out to be a piece of shit.

“The very one,” Randy answers, cynical. “Which is why I told Liam I didn’t want to work with any more athletes. The last thing we need is for our brand to be associated with such …” He trails off.

“We’re not all that bad.”

That posh British-accented voice sends a warm chill down my spine. All three of us at the table pivot our attention in Max’s direction.

He’s standing there in a light-colored button-down top and chocolate dress pants, and I have to make myself ignore how excellent he looks with his shirt tucked, showing off a peek of his muscled chest and slender waist.

Why the hell am I thinking about Max’s slender waist?

“Max Ferreira,” Liam says, sounding slightly starstruck.

When I look over, noting the wide-eyed way he’s looking at Max as he rises from his chair, I know I didn’t make it up. Liam is totally starstruck in Max’s presence.

“Please sit,” Liam says, eagerly.

“What?” I ask.

“No, I couldn’t interrupt.” Max waves off the offer. “I just overheard a part of your conversation and couldn’t resist chiming in. My apologies.”

“There’s nothing to apologize for,” Liam insists. He’s clearly not about to allow Max to get away.

Max, who looked ready to walk away a second ago, takes one glance my way and widens his grin before pulling out a chair opposite me.

“If you insist. How are you, Annalise?” He looks directly at me after shaking both Liam and Randy’s hands.

Heat washes over me and I shake it away before nodding in his direction. “Max.”

“The rumors must be true.” Despite the laughter in Liam’s voice, it’s his words that capture my interest.

“Rumors?”

Liam gestures toward Randy. “We were wondering if the rivalry between Max and Travis was true or just for show. You know, league marketing and all of that.”

Randy looks at me.

“But seeing your reaction to Max points to the fact there must be a bit of truth behind the cameras. You two don’t seem to get along.”

“You know what they say about rumors,” Max says.