Page 28 of Away We Go

I tilt my head, looking him up and down and hating that I like what I see. “Have you thought about looking for a four-leaf clover? Or throwing a coin in a wishing well? Or here’s an idea. Maybe you could try just being better than him?”

His smile grows and I swallow a large mouthful of air. Had I taken it too far? He is, after all, the reigning World Champion and a pretty big deal.

“I like you,” he declares, shocking me down to my cotton socks. “How about you come and work for me instead?”

“Never going to happen.”

We whip around to see Nicky standing a few feet away with a lazy smile on his face. He strolls over to us, standing next to me. Very close, next to me.

“Nicky,” Nathan grins at his rival. “Congrats on the win.”

My gaze bounces between the two men, and I feel like I’m missing something. Nathan’s congratulations just now sounded sincere, which makes zero sense, given the animosity that exists between them.

Nicky places his hand on my lower back, gently moving me a few steps away from Nathan. The heat from his palm pressedagainst me radiates through my layers of clothing, making a mess of my concentration.

What’s going on, again? Where am I?

“Thanks, man.” Nicky is smiling at the current World Champion and it also appears genuine.Huh. Maybe these two have a begrudging friendship that no one knows about?“But don’t even think of trying to steal Cherry away from our team. She’s way too important.”

I am?

Nathan smirks, his eyes zeroing in on where Nicky’s hand isstill pressed against my back. Causing many butterflies to take flight in my stomach. “I wouldn’t dream of it. Not when I see just how special she is.”

Nicky tips his chin and Nathan nods and I feel like I’m missing something. Something that is being said but not spoken out loud.

“I’ll see you around, Cherry. It was lovely to meet you.”

This time his smile is sweet and I can’t help but respond to it. “It was nice to meet you, too.”

We watch him swagger his way back to where he belongs and Nicky’s hand falls away from me the moment he is out of sight.

“Was it alright for me to be talking to him?” I ask after several long seconds of Nicky just standing and staring at me.

It’s disconcerting and thrilling all at the same time.

“To Nate?” He quirks his brow. “Of course. He’s a good guy.”

Hmmm. Interesting.He’s warned me to be wary about the ‘guys’ around here, but apparently, that doesn’t include Nathan—Nate—Jackson. His supposed nemesis and F1 rival.

I rub at the headache that is threatening to develop as I try to manoeuvre my way through all this pit lane politicking.

“Congrats on the win,” I say, giving up on the subject of Nathan. “That’s three in a row.”

He lifts one shoulder. “Still a long season to go.”

“But you have good luck on your side,” I prompt. There seems to be more behind this that I’m not understanding. Maybe he can fill me in on all the subtext flying around here?

“I do.” He smiles and doesn’t expand.

Oh well. I guess that’s that.

“What’s planned for the next few days?” he asks as we walk back to the main offices together.

“Serena says we’re going out tonight to celebrate.” He glances sharply down at me. “I promise to be careful,” I say with a sigh.

“Good.” He nods.

“And I want to get out and see more of Japan if I can, before flying out.” We have a two-week break between now and the next race weekend, which means I have time to explore beyond Suzuka. After much research, I’ve got a list of places I want to see before I leave.

---