Page 12 of Speed Crush

Dante doesn’t offer a hand. Just a tight nod to Amy, then a look at me like he’s already regretting this whole Cedar Falls detour.

I clear my throat. “Amy, this is Dante Fagioli—my boss, owner of the Fagioli team.”

“And Dante, this is Amy Bello—Cedar Falls’ resident Doctor of Physical Therapy. She keeps the whole town standing upright.”

Dante nods once, voice low and professional. “Dr. Bello.”

Amy’s dimples flash. “The title’s optional. Unless you’re trying to behave.”

I watch Dante’s jaws clench at her teasing but there’s no stopping her.

“You’ve got that edge, you know. The kind that makes a girl wonder what you’re like when you finally stop holding back.”

Calm as ever, Dante gives Amy one more look before shifting his stance, stepping toward her instead. “Walk with me.” He says it low, not to me—but to her.

Amy’s smile is pure fire. She raises an eyebrow, clearly amused, but follows without missing a beat. Dante places a light hand at her lower back, guiding her through the crowd like he’s used to taking control and expecting obedience.

I watch them go, noting the glint in Amy’s smirk and the tension carved into Dante’s jaw. I hear her voice drift back—light, teasing, unmistakenly entertained.

"So… are all F1 guys this hot, or did I just hit the jackpot twice?"

Dante doesn’t answer. But I catch the way his hand flexes at her back.

Yeah. There’s definitely something brewing there.

Next: Tara Haynes, poised and mysterious. She offers a handshake like a diplomat, cool and graceful. Levi tells me she’s the newest resident in Cedar Falls, part-timing at the local diner.

Then the legend herself.

“Mrs. Henderson,” Levi says. “Brace yourself.”

“We already met. You’re shorter than you look on TV,” she announces, squinting up at me.

“I’ll wear lifts next time,” I say dryly, hiding my amusement.

She studies me a moment longer. “You’ve got good shoulders. Don’t waste ’em.”

“Y-yes ma’am.”

Levi’s grinning like a man watching a train wreck he orchestrated. I elbow him lightly.

“Alright,” I mutter. “I met the whole town. Or half of it. Who’s the brunette in flannel glaring at me like I keyed her car?”

Levi’s eyes light up. “Ah. That’s Juniper Kennedy. Goes by June. She teaches eighth grade and moonlights as the sharpest mechanic in three counties.”

My pulse stumbles. “June.”

“You two haven’t met?”

I arch a brow. “Not... formally.”

He claps his hands together. “Well, then. Let’s fix that.”

As we approach, June doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t fidget. She watches me the way a lion watches a very stupid tourist approaching.

“June,” Levi says. “Meet Noah.”

She doesn’t offer her hand. Just nods. “Verelli.”

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