For reasons I probably didn’t need to name because they were obvious.
“P1andP2. Not bad, eh?” he said.
“Not bad,” I replied, forcing a smile. The truth was, the energy in the room felt distant. My mind was stuck replaying the momentAuréliestepped out of her garage to look at me after the race, sitting at the pit wall with her crew, her suit half undone and around her waist. That little congratulatory smile she gave me had made it nearly impossible to look away.
“You’re not even listening to me, are you?” Marco teased.
“Sorry,” I muttered, swirling the drink I had no intention of finishing.
Marco followed my gaze into the crowd. “Mate, you’re not going to solve all the world’s problems tonight.”
“Maybe not,” I said, “but an early night wouldn’t hurt.”
He snorted. “Finally, some sense.”
We left through the back of the venue, flanked by oursecurity detail. The hotel wasn’t far, but the streets were flooded with paparazzi. Flashbulbs lit up the night, cameras clicking as we approached the entrance of the hotel.
“They never miss a chance, do they?” Marco muttered, pulling his cap lower.
Our security team pushed a path through the chaos, ushering us inside where the world quieted. The hotel lobby was a calm refuge, the muted hum of conversation replacing the frenzy outside.
Marco stretched his arms over his head, yawning loudly. “I’m calling it. Early flight tomorrow, and I need my beauty sleep.”
“Right,” I said, distracted as my attention snagged on the bar off to the right of the lobby.
Aurélie.She was sitting alone, her hair loose around her shoulders, sipping from alowballglass. Her posture was tense, spine ramrod straight.
Marco followed my line of sight and snorted. “Don’t even think about it.”
“Think about what?” I asked, playing dumb, my heart—okay, and my dick, too—already tugging me toward her.
He gave me a long look and sighed heavily. “Be safe, Fraser. See you in the morning.”
Marco disappeared in a lift, and I turned toAurélie. She hadn’t noticed me yet, her attention fixed on the pattern her fingers were traced on the bar. She looked out of place here in the dim light—brighter somehow, a pinprick of light in the shadows. My feet moved before I could think better of it.
“You okay?” I asked quietly, stopping next to her.
Her head snapped up, eyes widening briefly before her expression softened. “Callum,” she said, her voice quiet. “What are you doing here?”
“Same as you, I imagine. Unwinding.”Lies.I’m here for you.
She gave a faint smile but didn’t answer.
“Rough day.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yeah,” she admitted, swirling the amber in her glass as I slid onto abarstool. “But you… you wereincredibletoday. Congratulations.”
Her words surprised me, and I was speechless for a moment. “Thanks. You were impressive too—before the car gave out. You should be proud.”
Her cheeks flushed, and she looked back down at her drink. “Thank you.”
“What’s your poison tonight?” I asked, gesturing to her glass.
“Old fashioned,” she replied.
“Good choice,” I said, signaling to the bartender. “I’ll have one of those.”
The bartender reared back as he recognized me, then glanced toAurélie. Recognition flickered there too, but he played it cool. “Coming right up.”
