Page 90 of The Best Little Christmas Shop
‘That’s exactly what they’re saying!’
‘Lex. It isn’t. We’re just loving having you back in the fold, so to speak. That’s all.’
‘So why is everyone being so weird about me meeting Marco for lunch?’
‘Because it’s a long way for him to come just to have lunch.’
‘Not for him it isn’t! These people don’t live their lives like we do. He’ll go to Capri just for a party! This isnothing to him.’
‘All right. Then drive carefully and enjoy yourself.’
‘I will. And thanks for covering my shift for me.’
‘You’re welcome. Now, I’m just going to pop home and check on Claire. She’s feeling a bit tired again today so I’ve told her to stay in bed for a bit.’
‘Is there anything I can do?’
‘No, but thanks.’
‘OK. I’ll send her a text to say hi. Just let me know if you need anything.’
‘Yep, will do. Thanks, Lex.’
***
Marco had offered to pick me up but I opted to meet him there, rather than having him double back on himself to get me. He’d promised that he didn’t mind but I’d insisted. Now as I parked my sporty little Fiesta among the assortment of super and luxury cars decorating the parking area, I tried to keep up with my resolve that this had been a good idea. I’d beento some pretty nice places over the years but it had usually been either with Marco or as a group, and now it was hard not to feel a tiny bit intimidated at the thought of walking in this place on my own.
I undid my coat and straightened my dress, hoping to goodness it was the right thing before wrapping my coat back around me to keep out the cold. My fun little roller skate of a car looked cool,if incongruous, tucked between a huge Bentley and a rather beautiful Noble. I gave it a comforting pat on the roof.
‘You’re just as good as them,’ I said quietly, a part of my mind knowing that the pep talk was quite possibly for more than the inanimate object I was leaning on.
‘I’m glad to see you haven’t lost your car-whispering skills.’ The cool French accent drifted across the still air,the damp of the morning still clinging to the rest of the day. A tone of amusement laced the words.
I jumped, my hand flying to my chest. ‘Bloody hell, Marco. How many times have I told you not to creep up on me?’ His laugh was relaxed, his eyes shining with the joke and my remonstration.
I looked down at the ground. It was gravelled. ‘How the hell did you even manage to be that quiet on this?’
Marco hugged me, placing a kiss on both cheeks, one hand staying at my waist. ‘That, my beauty, was entirely down to you. I did call you but you were off in a little world of your own.’
I wrinkled my nose as I looked up at him. ‘It’s all a bit posh. I was psyching myself up.’
‘And are you psyched now?’ He was making fun of me, I knew. But I also knew it was meant in fun. There were a lot ofegos in the paddock, and of course, Marco had one too. He had to. It was part of having the desire to win, to challenge, to fight in such a competitive world. But luckily it wasn’t the size of a small planet like some. Working with him had been enjoyable but I knew some engineers struggled at times with other drivers who had a tendency to believe their own press a little more than Marco did.
‘I think I’m as psyched as I’m ever going to be.’
He grinned down at me. At six foot one, he was close to being ineligible for the type of racing he’d chosen. Any bigger and he’d likely not fit in the car. Although …
His smile faded. ‘You’re looking at me funny.’
‘You’ve put on weight.’
He slowly raised one eyebrow at me. ‘And if I had been the one to say that I’m pretty sure I’d be on my kneesby now, clutching some items very dear to me.’
I squeezed his arm and laughed. ‘It’s a possibility. But you’re far too polite to say such a thing.’
‘Whereas you, apparently, are not.’
I shrugged. ‘You get what you get with me. You know that.’ I winked.
