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I chuckle at that. It’s true. Caleb has given exactly one enthusiastic tour in his life, and that was when he was trying to get to know Isla.
“Hey. Hadleigh is like a little sister to me, I’d give her an excellent tour,” he interjects.
“Yeah, but maybe she wants to see the garage of the team that’s winning the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships,” Xavier quips.
“Shut up,” Caleb says, chuckling.
Isla laughs. “Hadleigh has no idea how popular she’s going to be in Vegas.”
“Definitely bring her to the club. She can get up in the DJ booth and spin with me,” Xavier says.
“You will make her life,” Isla declares. “Thank you.”
I turn to her. “What are you shooting tomorrow, Isla?”
Her eyes light up. “I’m going to the Botanic Gardens first. Then I’m going to a coffee shop and getting kaya toast.”
“What’s that?” I ask.
“It’s a popular breakfast here. It’s toast, coconut jam, and cold butter layered together.”
“Coconut jam?” Mason asks, making a face.
“Yep. I’m eager to try it,” Isla says. “With kopi. That’s black coffee with sweetened condensed milk.”
“You always find the interesting things,” I say.
“What’s on your schedule tomorrow?” she asks me.
“I’m going to shoot some paddock fashion, now that I’m free of handling this one,” I say, affectionately grinning at Caleb.
After a long conversation with my grandfather, I’ve decided to move on from my role as Caleb’s assistant to work on CM by Catherine and my evolving role as Caleb and Mason’s stylist. I’m going to manage the clothing they will wear under a deal with Sohan Perrin, which we are in the process of signing. They will be the official outfitter for Caleb and Mason whenever they are in the paddock or making Collings Motors appearances. I’ll be responsible for curating a wardrobe for each driver and creating looks for events. I’m so excited about this new career path I’ve carved out for myself.
It’s not social media, like I had planned my life to be. But it’s so much better.
I glance down at Mason’s fingertips moving over the fabric of my dress. I put my hand over his, lacing our fingers together. He glances down at me, then gives me a quick kiss on the lips.
I owe this new life to him. Mason’s the one who encouraged me to be brave. Trust myself. To believe in my ability, to believe I’m more than a name, and to take the leap.
Both with my career and my heart.
Soon the party breaks up for the night. Tomorrow will be a long day. First, Caleb and Mason will appear at the Wharf Stage for fan interaction and a Q&A session. Then there will be two practice sessions, the first at five thirty in the evening and the second at nine.
Our group loads up into an SUV and heads back over to our team hotel, which is also the same hotel for Hoffman Racing. When we reach the front, there’s a large group of fans waiting outside, blocked off behind barricades and held away from the entrance by security.
“How long do you want to sign?” Mason asks Caleb.
“Half hour?” Caleb suggests.
Mason nods. “Okay, that works.”
I reach into my bag and hand both of them a black Sharpie. “Thank you,” Mason says.
“You’re welcome.”
As soon as Caleb and Mason exit the SUV, the crowd begins screaming. They each walk over to different spots of the barricaded area and begin signing and posing for pictures with fans. Some are screaming for Isla, and she signs, too.
I watch as Mason smiles and interacts with as many people as he can. He’s so good at this. Like he genuinely wants to give each fan a good experience, even if the moment is just seconds long.