Page 56 of Racing Hearts
“So, how are things going with your newrelationship?” He’d clearly made it his mission tonight to wind me up about Georgia, and to his credit, it was working.
“Why?” I said coolly. “Feeling jealous?” My tight smile did little to mask my irritation.
“Just surprised you’re her type.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “And what do you suppose is hertype?”
“Winners.”
“Explains whyyoubroke up,” I said, taking a gulp of champagne as I frantically looked for Edward to save me from this exchange.
He laughed, completely unaffected. “Probably explains why Georgia and Éliott didn’t get past date one, even if Henri constantly encouraged it.”
The casual dig sliced deeper than I expected. I knew Henri had a complicated relationship with me, and I knew he loved Éliott like a brother. But the idea of him wanting Georgia with someone other than me, someone he approved of, felt like salt in a very open wound.
“They’re just friends,” I insisted, but the words rang hollow. My mind raced, replaying every moment I’d seen Éliott and Georgia together.
Come off it, Luca, I convinced myself.If she liked Éliott, then they’d have kept dating.
Anthony leaned in with mock sympathy. “I don’t know. They look a little close to bejust friends. Do you actually think Éliott would say no if she gave him another shot? I always figured that was why he hung around so much. Probably hoping for a redo.”
Honestly, Anthony had me there. It was hard to imagine any man not being attracted to Georgia. The laugh, her smile, the cute way she drank her coffee in the morning. She was so unique and different than anyone else I’d dated before. I glanced back at the two of them laughing together, a wave of unease and heaviness settled in my chest.
“Well, it’s a good thing I plan on being her last boyfriend.”
The comment tasted bitter, and I hated myself the moment it left my mouth. Per this arrangement, eventually Georgia and I would break up. She wasn’t mine to keep. And then Anthony’s taunts would be justified—everyone’s taunts about how Georgia was too good for me would be justified.
“Sure, mate, good luck with that,” he chuckled. “When Georgia finally decides to stop trying to fix you, give me a ring, yeah?”
Anthony smugly patted me on the back before traipsing back to his table. Trying not to let the envy consume me, I turned my attention to the bar and motioned for the bartender to come over.
“Buy me a drink?” The silky, smooth voice caught me off guard, and I looked up to see a woman with dark brown curls and red lipstick standing next to me, a casual smile on her face. Without waiting for my answer, the woman ordered a cocktail.
As the bartender made our drinks, I awkwardly chitchatted with her as I glanced at Georgia and Éliott’s table, noticing that Henri and Lily had now joined them. Watching them all converse, it was so easy to imagine how Éliott would fit into Georgia’s life. He was a rising star at his own F1 team that lived an incredibly private life. He was perfect for her, not me, some washed-out driver who was known more for his paddock parties than his wins.
Glancing up, I caught Henri’s eye. He gave me a look, one of those silent, judging glances I knew too well, before whispering something to Éliott, who turned toward me with a confused frown.
Great. Now they were talking about me.
I could practically hear the conversation:Look at Luca, already flirting with someone else. Can’t keep his shit together for one night.My teammate started to slide out the booth, and I knew that Hermes’ golden boy was about to give me a lecture on my behavior.
Anthony’s smug words echoed in my head.When Georgia finally decides to stop trying to fix you…
I slammed my drink back and set the empty glass down with a hard clink. Fuck this. Henri may not consider me worthy of his sister, but as Anthony said, Georgia dated winners, and tonight?
I was the only winner in the bar.
Without a word, I left the brunette at the bar and pushed my way toward Georgia’s table, forcing a cocky grin onto my face.
“I hope no one minds,” I said as I reached them, “but I think it’s time I dance with my girlfriend.”
Georgia blinked up at me, startled, as I took her hand without waiting for an answer. I could feel the weight of everyone’s stares but I didn’t care. Not right now.
I didn’t just want to dance with her. I needed to remind her, and maybe even myself, that I was the one she’d kissed today. That I was the one she’d cried on, confided in. That I was the one she was going home with.
As I pulled her into the crowd, I swore I’d make sure she remembered that, too.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
