Page 79 of Racing Hearts
“Fine with me. Based on what I heard in Monaco, sounds like I’d like what we do inyourdreams.”
So, he had noticed that outburst.
Fuck it, I did too.
“Hey, Luca, you can flirt with her later!” Edward called out, whistling at the two of us.
“For fuck’s sake, Edward,” Lily muttered behind her sunglasses with exasperation. “Don’t ruin the moment!”
“Right, well, we’re going to head off to get some snorkeling in, but you should be all set up here with my mom and the captain,” Luca said. “Give us a radio if you need anything.”
I grabbed his hand, giving it one lastthank yousqueeze, before Luca joined my brother and Edward on the smaller boat.
Lily slid closer. “Time to make these smoothies fun.” She reached into her beach bag and pulled out a slim silver flask, tipping a generous splash of rum into each smoothie. “So, you and Luca looked awfully close on that jet ski. Don’t think I didn’t notice his hand on your thigh when we arrived. And those paints he got you!” she gushed. “You know Edward—”
“Edward is betting on us actually getting together,” I cut her off. “So I’ve heard.”
“Well…” Lily wiggled both her eyebrows suggestively.
I snorted, but the pressure behind her words lingered in my chest. I wanted to tell her. Wanted to spill everything about Monaco, about the kisses and the way Luca looked at me like I was his whole universe and not just a press strategy.
But I couldn’t.
If I told Lily, Edward would know by sunset. And if Edward knew, the whole paddock would know by next Tuesday. They already thought we wereactuallydating. I didn’t need to give Edward any more fuel to the rumor.
“There’s nothing to tell. We needed to do this vacation, remember?”
“Oh, bullshit,” she blurted out. “Sorry, Georgie, I just see the way Luca looks at you. Edward sees the way he looks at you. It’s not the same way he looks at other people.”
“Oh, that’s ridiculous,” I scoffed. “As long as I’ve known him, he’s only ever had flings. We’re both so focused on our careers. Luca doesn’t need the added stress of a professional race car driver as a girlfriend. I’m not sure what everyone thinks is going on here, but Luca and I are just two friends havingfunon a yacht.”
Even saying the words, they feltwrong, and I took a sip of my smoothie to hide the solemn ache that had crept onto my face. We were just friends. Friends who flirted and occasionally kissed. Nothing more.
“Sexyfun?” Lily asked, and I shook my head, unable to hide my smile. No chance she believed me. “Look, all I’m saying is, I see how Luca looks at you. It’s different.”
“How much has Edward bet on us getting together? Must be a lot if you’re over here hawking Luca at me. Did he offer to split the money?” Wouldn’t have put it past Edward to drag Lily into his silly bet. She drew her lips in a tight line as I dodged her question.
“Fine. Believe what you want. At least tell me you’re getting some on the side.” Shimmying her shoulders, she licked her lips. “That man is just too fine for you not to be sleeping with him.”
Now that, Lilywasright about.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Luca
On the last night of our trip, my parents opted to have dinner on the mainland, leaving just the five of us on the yacht. As the sun began to dip below the horizon, a surprisingly strong wind blew through, offsetting the warm weather with a cold chill. I welcomed the cool sensation on my skin, as I had spent most of the day under the hot sun.
Lily and Georgia had opted to skip today’s windsurfing in favor of painting on the boat. When we hopped back onto the deck, they were sitting at the outside dinner table, enjoying a glass of wine.
“You boys have fun today?” Georgia called out.
“Yeah, it was great,” I replied, giving a nod to Henri and Edward who were trailing behind me, adding with a grin, “Edward here decided to compete with the fish for the most vibrant shade of red.”
Taking a seat next to Georgia, she passed the bowl of fresh peaches over to me. “I asked the chef to pick some up for you, apparently the peaches had a great season this summer, and I remembered you liked them.”
Taking a bite out of one, I grinned. “Well, I’m definitely a fan of theirtaste.”
Georgia shoved me lightly with her shoulder, but the flush on her cheeks betrayed her amusement. I slipped an arm around her and tugged her against me, letting my fingers trail lazily up and down her arm.
