Page 40 of Prove Me Wrong
She nods in agreement. “I understand. My obsession is caffeine.”
Smiling, I take a lemon square and devour it in two bites.
Mia watches with amusement. Sipping on her coffee, she looks to the TV to see the cars lining up on the grid. There are forty-six cars this season, and my team drivers are starting in fourth and fifth position. Moving to the edge of the couch, my eyes focus on the screen as they start moving.
“It starts with a formation lap. Basically, to assess the track and to warm up the tyres,” I begin.
Peering over, Grey’s gaze is locked on the screen as she watches in awe. “There are so many cars,” she murmurs, and a snicker escapes my throat.
“Yeah. There’s a lot this season. There are two cars per team, so two drivers a race.” I look back to see the cameras following the leader of the group, Carmichael.
We watch the formation lap, and then the lights flash off and the race begins. My pulse rises the second they take off, and I can almost feel the heightened energy I sense when I’m inside the car. The smell of rubber tyres, petrol and leather as I speed down the straight.
My eyes are glued to the screen when the camera moves to the inside of a car. It’s focused on Carmichael as he maintains first position. The cabin is decked out in straps, poles, buttons and caging. Carmichael has on his purple helmet and matching race suit. The camera angle makes it look both airy and claustrophobic at the same time.
“You drive in that?” The words tumble from Grey’s lips as she stares at the screen.
I sniff a laugh, leaning back into the couch. “Yeah. You get used to it, though.”
“But there’s just so much going on. Surely that is not comfortable.”
“It’s not meant to be comfortable, it’s to keep us protected, Grey,” I say in a low tone.
My eyes watch her shocked expression before she glances in my direction. The tingling sensation grows as I hold her gaze before she breaks it, blinking away.
Leaning over, I take another lemon square and my coffee before watching the drivers.
Engines rev as multi-coloured cars covered in stickers overtake each other on the straights. I hold my breath when Daniels overtakes someone on a corner, and I smile.
“Wow,” Mia says breathlessly as my hands dig into the couch cushions.
“Yeah, it’s thrilling.” My words are light yet heavy.
Gazes on the TV, we remain silent, watching side by side until Jade pushes her cup off Mia’s lap, spilling bits of milk on the floorboards. Jumping up, Mia is already standing with Jade in one arm and the cup in the other. “I’ll clean it.”
“You don’t have to. Let me,” I insist.
Grey eyes meet mine as she smiles gently. “It’s fine. She only spilt a little bit. I’ll just grab some paper.”
Mia leaves the room while tickling my giggling daughter. I grin, leaning back into my couch. I hope she doesn’t feel as though she has to do work while she’s here, because that’s definitely not what I’m expecting of her. I want her to feel as comfortable here as she does in her own home.
I’ve seen her reluctance; although, it has gotten better the more she’s gotten to know me. And thank God because I’m starting to think that I want her here more. Not just as my daughter’s babysitter, but because I enjoy her company a lot.
When she returns, I notice that she’s closer to me. Our shoulders aren’t touching, but I can feel the vibrations emitting from her body like a magnet trying to connect with me. Biting back a grin, I savour the feeling of her closeness, getting used to the sensation of her warmth beside mine. Her jasmine scent tickles my nostrils, soothing my beating heart.
For lunch, I make some chicken sandwiches that we eat at the coffee table together. Mia tells me more about her piano playing, which I am waiting patiently to listen to. How she studied graphic design because she inherited her grandad’s art skills, and how she prefers reading over watching TV.
I agree with her on the last one.
“Reading is so therapeutic, but sadly it takes me ages to get through a single book,” I murmur as we sit on the floor. Jade is between us, colouring on poster paper and definitely not staying within the lines. She loves it, though.
Mia pulls her knees up, hugging them to her smaller chest. “I’m a slow reader. Takes me a week to finish one book.”
“A week!” I exclaim, and Mia just sniffs a laugh. “Try a month, at least.”
Her dark brows pull together. “Really?”
“When you have a kid, you don’t have much time for yourself apart from when they’re asleep. And even then, I have to spend time cleaning and washing clothes.” My hand runs down the side of my face.
