Page 91 of Racing Hearts
And then we all froze.
The entire suite was bursting with flowers.
Everywhere I looked were roses, lilies, tulips, daisies. Soft whites, delicate pinks, blush-toned orchids. Like a botanical garden had exploded in the middle of the hotel room. Bouquets covered every surface: the desk, the dresser, the vanity, the nightstand. Not a single inch of counter space was left untouched.
“Oh. My. God,” Lily breathed, spinning around in a full circle like she was trying to take it all in at once.
Turning to the coffee table, I noticed a gift bag with a blue bow at the top. A note was attached to it.
“Open it! Open it!” Lily and Nora chanted together, both of them jumping up and down like children on Christmas Day.
My Dearest Georgia,
I hope this helps focus you on the race this weekend. I don’t know what will be in this article, but I do know that it doesn’t matter. Your determination and passion have always been your greatest assets, and I have no doubt they will carry you to a second-place finish this weekend. ;-)
P.S. Please wear the items in the gold tissue paper on Sunday to celebrate my race win. Under your racing suit is preferable.
Your Luca
“Why am I going to cry? That is so sweet!” Lily wailed.
My hand trembled with uncertainty as I untied the satin ribbon and reached into the bag, pulling out a small jewelry box. Inside, a glimmer of silver caught my eye, and I carefully lifted out a charm bracelet featuring three charms: a lioness, a Formula 1 car with a blue diamond, and a crown with three spires on top. No one said a word as we all stared in awe at the beautiful piece of jewelry.
“Oh my god, he’sdefinitelyin love with you!” Lily gasped.
“Lily!” I scolded, putting the bracelet back into the box. “That is not true.”
Nora leaned forward, peering into the box as I set it down carefully on the table. “I sort of have to agree with Lil on this one, Georgie. You don’t make a personalized charm bracelet for someone youaren’tin love with.”
Heat rose in my cheeks. I crossed my arms, trying to deflect the growing knot in my throat. “If Luca was so in love with me, why has he barely spoken to me since Mallorca? He just likes to give extravagant gifts. I’m sure it’s just for promotion. Like this.” I reached up instinctively, touching the dainty lightning bolt charm that still hung around my neck. “Luca gave me this lightning bolt necklace back in Italy.”
“So, what you’re saying is, he’s been in love with you for a while,” Lily chuckled.
“For fuck’s sake, he’s not in love with me.”
Desperate for a distraction, I dumped the gold tissue-paper-wrapped gift out of the bag. Mindlessly, I tore the paper open, revealing a purple lingerie set. My cheeks burned with embarrassment. Nora just shook her head in amusement, still sporting a huge smile.
What was Luca playing at?
“I suppose this is the moment I should remind you that you need to wear your fireproof underwear on Sunday,” Nora snickered.
“So, let me get this straight.” Lily held up the lingerie like a piece of evidence in court. “Luca buys you jewelry and lingerie, takes you on a sexy yacht vacationandyou’re having sex. How is this notactuallydating?”
“Because dating requires feelings,” I grumbled.
“Well, then I guess it’s a good thing that he’sin lovewith you!”
“Don’t you two have somewhere to be?” I was practically shoving them toward the door when the front entrance to the suite opened with a soft click.
Luca and Edward strolled in, mid-laugh. Luca looked freshly showered and relaxed, wearing a crisp white shirt with his signature chain peeking out beneath the collar. The two of them didn’t notice us at first, chatting away about a cross-promotional photo shoot they had just done, which, by the look on Edward’s face, had gone very well.
The second Luca looked up and spotted the contents of the room—flowers, gift wrap, the open jewelry box—his entire body stilled. His smile faltered, slipping away like a wave retreating from shore. For a second, confusion clouded his expression, followed by realization.
And then nothing. A wall. His trademark grin vanished, replaced by a flat, unreadable frown.
Never thought I would miss that Cheshire cat grin.
“Luca… umm, hi,” I half-whispered as he stared at me. Silence settled over the room, thick and awkward.
