Page 19 of My French Love Affair

Emma scoffs. "You don’t need to know anything about it, Poppy. You just need to like hot men, champagne, and the fact that you’re in freakingMonaco."

“I’m not so sure it’s that simple,” I frown.

"Well, if nothing else, think of the fashion. The outfits. Thecouture,” Jas smirks. “The potential inspiration."

I exhale, a small smile tugs at my lips.

She knows how to convince me.

Besides, this is supposed to be my fresh start. I’m young, I’m single, and I’m in Monaco, for crying out loud - I can’t just sitin the hotel and sketch outfits all day.

"Fine," I say, exhaling. "I’ll go."

The room erupts into cheers, and Leah claps her hands together excitedly.

"Yes! And so Poppy’s wild era begins."

"I wouldn't call going to the F1 being in mywild era,” I laugh.

"It’s a gateway to wild,” she says. “This is just step one."

I shake my head, but I’m smiling as Emma kicks her legs out from under the covers.

"Perfect! Now that that’s settled - cocktails on the balcony?"

I follow them outside, laughing along as the warm breeze ruffles my hair, and it’s then that I feel it again.

That little spark of excitement.

Maybe they’re right after all. Maybe this is the start of something new.

I turn and glance at my suitcase, where my sketchbooks are tucked safely inside. I brought them just in case inspiration struck.

But maybe I don’t just need inspiration.

Maybe I need an adventure.

Chapter Six

Frederic

The world blurs.

The car snarls beneath me, raw power barely contained as I launch out of the corner.

The Monaco circuit is a high-speed chess game, where the slightest hesitation is a checkmate into the barriers. No run-off areas, no margin for error - just concrete, adrenaline, and instinct.

I push harder.

The G-forces crush against my ribcage, my hands gripping the wheel with perfect precision as I exit the tightest hairpin in Formula One. The engine roars in protest, the tires screaming as they fight for grip on the narrow street surface.

The tunnel looms ahead.

Darkness swallows me whole - just for a second.

Then, blinding sunlight. A split-second adjustment.

This.

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