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I stand, straightening my skirt. The full force of what we did in his locker room—and what he’s fully expecting later tonight, after we meet our team obligations—sinks in. It makes me a little dizzy, and I rake my fingers through my hair, knowing that this time, I’m not going to say no to anything Max wants.
Chapter Twenty-Four
LILY
I’ve been to a lot of team parties, starting when I was a child. Mum used to take me for an hour or so before the real fun started, and when I interned for Papa, I’d often stay up all night, partying with Anh and the grid girls and the other interns.
Tonight’s party, held on the rooftop bar of our hotel, is one of the most jubilant I’ve been to, or perhaps that’s my mood. Probably it’s because we had such a great showing in today’s race, or because of our incredible comeback from last week’s circuit. Or it’s because I’m the de facto team owner and the victory is that much sweeter.
But everyone I see is laughing and drinking. The mood is so positive—with the added sweetness of my hookup with Max earlier—that I’m giddy when Tanya pulls me aside to a high-top table.
“What’s up?” I ask, clinking my glass of champagne to hers.
She takes a sip and eyes me up and down. “Cute dress,” she says.
I’d worn the one bodycon dress I’d packed. It’s essentially a tube of black fabric that hugs my body, paired with some strappy heels. At first I wasn’t sure, but when I spotted Max’s eyes grow wide when I walked in, I knew I’d made the right choice.
As I’m thanking Tanya for her compliment, she interrupts.
“Don’t freak out, but I have some news.”
I pause and stare at her over the top of my glasses. “You’ve pretty much guaranteed I’ll freak out now.”
“I’m hearing rumors about you and Max. But it’s okay! I’ve asked around and no one seems to have anything on you. I think it’s because of that reporter’s question the other day. That inspired some gossip.”
“Hmm.” I sip my champagne, turning this information over in my mind.
“Please, be discreet, is all. I’m going to come up with messaging. I was kind of thinking. . .” Her voice trails off and she stares into the distance.
“Thinking what?”
“How would you feel about going out on a fake date with someone? Like a sponsor?”
“What?” I yelp.
“It could deflect attention. It’s a common PR tactic.”
I’m shocked that she’s mentioning this so casually. “Seems weird.”
“It’s only dinner. I have someone in mind.”
My expression contorts into a grimace, the kind that my mum used to claim would freeze on my face if I made it too often.
“He’s from a beer company. One of their executive VPs who deals with brand partnerships. Seems like a decent guy. I was thinking that you could go to dinner with him in Las Vegas before the next race, we could tip off the paparazzi, you know, that kind of thing.”
That kind of thing that I absolutely loathe. I roll my eyes.
“Let’s go meet him. He’s right over there.”
“Do I have to?”
She shoots me a reproachful look. “It’s one dinner, all for show. It also helps to schmooze with the sponsors. Your father does it all the time.”
Tanya starts to walk away but I reach for her arm. “Wait. Does he know it’s all for show?”
“No.”
“Isn’t that bad? Disingenuous? I’m a terrible liar.”
