Page 104 of Racing Hearts
Tears of happiness pricked my eyes. “When I’d read that you signed with Rennen, a part of me felt hurt that you hadn’t told me. I felt like I’d lost you, lost our friendship, because you wouldn’t need me anymore with your new deal. But then I realized that it was more than that, that I didn’t want you toneedme. I just wanted you towantto be with me.”
“Lost me?” He gave me a quick peck on the lips. “I signed with Rennen because of you. I haveyouto thank for this move. You encouraged me back in London to think about other teams. You gave me the strength to stand up to my father, who has surprisingly come around. Seeing that painting you made me… it made my decision feel even more right. Thank you for everything.” His eyes locked on to mine, the intensity of his gaze making my heart flutter. In that moment, I felt nothing but pride in his accomplishments.
“I’m so proud of you, Luca. And I know your father is, too. That’s why I made that painting for you. You’ve been making your family proud since you were just a little boy, and you still are.” He took my hand in his and placed a gentle kiss against my knuckle.
“I want to show the world that I can win races. That I can lead a team, and not because my dad was a famous racer. I’m worth a team’s investment.”
“You are worthy, Luca. We both are.”
Luca ran his hands through my hair, before moving it to my chin.
“I’m so happy, Luca.”
“Me too, Georgia,” he laughed, sliding back down, his lips now ghosting mine. “Which is good, because you’re stuck with me. Pretty sure if we break up, your brother mightactuallyset my car on fire.” His fingers slid through my hair, cupping my chin. “Your heart is safe with me.”
“I love you, Rossi.”
“Right back at you, Dubois.”
We kissed, slow and deep, and for the first time all season, I felt like I could finally breathe. Like I was exactly where I belonged.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand. With a groan, I stretched over Luca’s chest to check it.
“Ugh, Lily wants to know when we’re leaving for tonight’s party,” I groaned.
Luca chuckled, brushing my hair off my shoulder as he nuzzled in. “Maybe we should set Lily and Henri up so they stop bothering us.”
I snorted, my hands running through Luca’s hair as I kissed him again. “Those two are much too competitive with each other. It’ll be a cold day in hell before Lily and Henri ever date.”
“You know, Georgia,” Luca laughed. “I think I’ve heard that one before.”
Epilogue
Georgia
“And the championship is ours! Fuck yeah!” I heard Mel scream into the radio.
“Georgia, congrats. You had a hell of a season, and this is a well-deserved win for both you and the team. Can’t wait to do this again next year, love.” I smiled at Isabelle’s words. The softness of her voice was refreshing. I had a sneaking suspicion she might even be smiling.
“I am speechless!” I yelled back into my radio. “Thank you to the team. This one is for you ladies… for every last one of you. Thank you! Thank you to Lily for being the best teammate I could have dreamed of, an absolute star.”
“You have outdone yourself today, Georgia,” Mel called into the radio. “Today, you have shown every single little girl that they can turn their karting dreams into a dream of being an F1 champion, just like Georgia Dubois.”
As soon as I hopped out of my car, my brother grabbed my helmet. “I am so proud of you, Peaches,so fucking proud.” I squeezed my brother and he quickly dragged the two of us off to our parents, who had made it to the fence. I immediately jumped into their arms as we hugged, not a single one of us wanting to let go.
I heard the officials calling for Henri and me to head to the cooldown room to get weighed. I searched the crowd for Luca, desperately looking for my boyfriend, who was seemingly nowhere to be found, but just as I was about to walk in, I felt an arm link around my waist, pulling me in. Luca grabbed my head and crashed our lips together, pulling my body as close to him as he possibly could.
“I’m so proud of you,amore. So, so incredibly proud of you. You never cease to amaze me.” As I broke the kiss, I let him pull me once more into another kiss as the FIA official started yelling behind us.
I begrudgingly let Luca go, heading back into the cooldown room where water was waiting for me. It was only a few minutes before we were being pulled onto the podium for the celebration. I watched Edward go out first, giving the crowd a big wave. Henri walked out next. And then it was my turn.
The moment I had been waiting for.
I walked onto the stage, watching the masses of people who had gathered in Abu Dhabi to watch us race. To watch me win. I waved at them as I walked onto the top step, taking my trophy from the government official before setting it down so I could take my hat off for the Monaco national anthem.
As soon as the anthems finished, I picked up my bottle of champagne to spray Henri and Edward, but it was too late—they had beaten me to it, absolutely drenching me, and then Mel, who was the Valkyrie podium representative, with their two bottles. As soon as the bubbles died down, I took one more look into the crowd, giving them a final wave before stepping off the podium.
I walked back to the garage, trophy in one hand and a bottle of champagne in the other. Nora was the first to pull me into a hug, but it was short-lived as the rest of the garage crew started to come over, all of them demanding hugs, everyone wanting to see the trophy. I looked around for Isabelle, my eyes scanning the garage.
