Page 84 of Reserved
He’s too single to be smiling at my angel that way.
“Your turn is four races from now,” Nevaeh adds and turns to Val to remind her she’ll come before then.
“Ha,” my sister says to James.
They start pretend-fighting, so I take the instructions Nevaeh was holding and hit James over the head with them. Then, I throw them back in Nevaeh’s lap so that when James turns around again, she looks like the culprit. She bursts into laughter, unable to explain it wasn’t her but me.
“There is an event at theCasino de Monte-Carlofor the Formula One drivers tomorrow. Will you go with me?” I ask after a while of silence, Val and James watching me with surprise as I turn to look at Nevaeh.
“I’d love to, but I’m not sure that would help make us look like friends,” Nevaeh replies, sliding her hand toward mine where it rests on the ground. I stare at her fingers inching closer, trying to figure out a way I can take her without her boss making a big fuss.
“Nevaeh will be my plus one. Since I’m already engaged, it won’t be suspicious,” Val says with a wink, and I watch Nevaeh’s face light up as she looks at my sister. “Although, it does depend on what you wear because if I can’t take my eyes off you, the suspicion will return,” she adds, but I shoot my sister a warning look. Happily engaged or not, Nevaeh is mine, and if my sister turns her charm on, I’m not sure I have a competing chance.
“I appreciate the invitation, Val, but I have nothing to wear. My clothes are only arriving on Saturday,” Nevaeh explains, but my sister is on her feet a moment later. She’s all giddy as she pulls Nevaeh onto her feet too.
“I know just the place to get you a dress or suit, whichever you prefer,” Val says, grabbing Nevaeh’s camera bag because she knows, just like I know, that she never goes anywhere without it. “I’m sorry to do this to you, Nevaeh, but I’ve never had someone to go shopping with, and you’re going to be my victim today,” Val informs my angel with a serious expression, making Nevaeh laugh as my sister pulls her toward the door. “The bed better be put in its proper place with the mattress on it by the time we get back,” she calls out before letting the door slam shut so James and I can’t protest.
“How’s Damian?” I ask when I catch James grinning at me in a way he never has before.
“He’s fine. Sleeps a lot, poops a lot, screams a lot. You know, like a baby does,” he replies, still grinning.
“What’s the fucking face for?” is my next question. James shrugs before picking up the screwdriver and going back to cleaning up.
“The fact you don’t know what the face is for when you look at Nevaeh like she’s the Driver’s Championship title and all of your other dreams combined into one person is baffling,” he says matter-of-factly.
“I do not look at her like that,” I say and scoff, but a smile covers my lips anyway. “Fuck, I do look at her like that, don’t I?” James throws an unopened bag of screws in my direction and lets out an annoyed huff.
“What do you think?” he replies, smiling down at the screwdriver in his hand while I grin at him.
Chapter 40
Nevaeh
“Ifeelbad.Theyshouldn’t have to do this all by themselves,” I say, but Val doesn’t stop. She leads me all the way to her baby blue Mustang, a classic car I’ve only ever seen in photos. “Holy fuck. Do you mind if I…” I trail off and lift my camera, aiming it at her car.
“Go for it, love,” she replies, and I take a few photos before we both get into her car.
My phone rings a moment later, Ms. Martin’s name flashing on my screen. Twice in twenty-four hours. That can’t be a good sign.
“Hello, Nevaeh. I’m sorry to disturb you, but I’ve just received a very exciting email. I have a job for you if you’re feeling up for it,” she says, and relief and excitement course through me.
“Yes, of course. What’s the job?” I ask, holding my phone away from my mouth to apologize to Val, but she waves my apology away and smiles.
“There is a charity event happening in Monte Carlo tomorrow. The press officer of Formula One reached out and asked us to do an exclusive. More specifically, they asked for you,” she says, and my chest almost bursts from pride.
All the years I spent studying, writing, and interning, are all paying off now as I’m making a name for myself in the world of Formula One. I never thought this sport would be how the world would get to know me, but I can’t lie.
It’s exciting.
“You’d go around the room, ask the drivers some questions, and enjoy yourself. How does that sound?” Ms. Martin asks, and I start grinning from ear to ear.
“Sounds great. What exactly do you want me to ask them and put into the article?” I ask, trying to contain my excitement.
Val parks the car as my boss tells me more details for tomorrow, and we hang up a couple of minutes later. My friend smiles at me as I share what just happened, leading me down a row of little antique shops at the same time.
We arrive at one calledRush.
It looks newer than the rest of the buildings we walked past and yet strangely old, too. It’s absolutely charming.
