Page 76 of My French Love Affair

"Well," she says, flipping to the next page in her notes. "Let’s talk about somethingelsethat’s been making headlines."

I already know where this is going.

She glances down at her notes, reading directly from them.

"Rumors about your personal life have been swirling lately. There’s been some speculation -"

I exhale sharply through my nose.

Of course there has.

It’s always the same. Every season, every win, every event. The speculation, the gossip, thewho is Frederic Moreau dating?headlines that litter the tabloids.

I have no interest in playing that game.

"No comment," I say smoothly, before she can even finish her question.

“Oh, come on,” she lets out a small, breathy laugh. "Just a hint?"

"Do I look like someone who gives hints?"

"Fine. You’re impossible, you know that?" she sighs, shaking her head.

"So I’ve been told."

The interview wraps up soon after, and as she stands, she flashes me one last smile.

"If you ever decide to break thatno commentrule," she says lightly, "you know where to find me."

I nod politely, but my attention is already elsewhere.

I’ve got more training to do. More work to put in.

I don’t have time for this.

I don’t have time foranythingoutside of racing.

And yet, as I leave the media room and make my way back towards the paddock, my mind drifts again.

Not to the journalist. Not to the race.

To her.

ToPoppy.

To the way she looked up at me on the dance floor, lips parted, eyes flashing with something both infuriated andintrigued.

To the way she resisted, the way she pushed back, only to fall in step with me soeasily.

To the way she walked away, leaving me standing there, smirking like she hadn’t just managed to burrow her way into my head.

I shake my head to myself, exhaling sharply.

Get a fucking grip, Moreau.

I’ve got bigger things to worry about.

Like the fact that my phone is ringing, and it’s Jacques’ name that’s flashing on screen. He only calls me when he needs or wants something, and so I sigh as I raise the phone to my ear, dreading to think what he wants now.

---