Her eyes light up. “Oh! That’s where the last race of the season is, isn’t it?”
I nod.
“Maybe when you’re there, your mother could cook a dinner for you and Luc, hmm? Then he could compare, see ifIhave some competition too.”
I freeze mid-bite, my smile slipping just a little. “Ah… I don’t have a mom.”
Her face falls, warm expression turning apologetic. “I’m so sorry, I…”
I shake my head quickly. “No, it’s all right. She died when I was a baby. I don’t remember her.”
There’s a soft beat of silence.
Élise recovers quickly, her gentle smile returning. “Can your father cook, then?”
From across the table, Dane snorts, making me grin.
“Uh… no. Definitely not.”
Élise’s eyes bounce between us, her smile faltering. “Oh, chéri.I didn’t mean to…” She flutters her hands, flustered. “I keep putting my foot in my mouth tonight, don’t I?”
I wave her off with my fork. “Don’t worry. My family issues aren’t your problem.” I take another bite, groaning again because it’s just that damn good. “This is amazing. Honestly? No one could top this anyway.”
Her smile softens again, and she looks relieved that I let it go. “Luc, he has such good manners.”
Luc snorts. “I don’t give a fuck about manners.”
Élise gasps, slapping a dish towel against his shoulder. “Luc!”
Luc grins, leaning closer to me. “Told you she’d like you.”
I finish the last bite of dinner, wiping my mouth with the cloth napkin, and Dane clears his throat before pushing back slightly from the table.
“I don’t want to be rude, this was amazing, really, so good, thanks again. But it’s getting dark, and like I said…”
Élise waves him off, smiling warmly. “Of course. You know you’re always welcome here. If you want to come back while you’re in town, you just let me know.”
We shuffle out, Luc trailing behind me with his handlingering at the small of my back. When we pile into the bus, Otis jumps at the chance to drive again, and the rest of us settle around the small table near the middle of the bus.
The engine rumbles to life beneath us as Otis eases the bus out of the driveway, and I sit back, my head resting lightly against the window as the French countryside rolls past.
But I’m not really looking out the window. I’m watching Dane, who smiles when Piper laughs at something he says, her cheeks still pink and hand brushing lightly against his arm as he leans closer.
I can’t remember the last time I saw him this happy and open. It does something to my chest, making it tighten and swell simultaneously. It hurts in a good way, because I’m happy for him. So damn happy. But I feel guilty that I’m the reason he never took time for himself over the last seven years.
Luc’s hand finds my knee under the table, his thumb drawing soft circles there. I glance at him, and he leans in, his breath warm at my ear when he whispers, “They’re falling for each other.”
A smile tugs at my lips. “I really hope so.”
Luc squeezes my knee gently, then leans back, but the warmth of him stays.
By the time Otis pulls the bus into the pit area, the last streaks of twilight are fading, and most of the other rigs are already settled.
Dane gets up without a word, heading up front to help Otis maneuver into the last available space at the back of the lot. Piper follows him, and I watch them both through the window as they hop out together, Piper pointing at something while Dane gestures toward the tight parking angle.
Luc shifts beside me, rising from the bench, and I feelthe pull of it before I even look up. I start to move, too, pushing back from the table, but before I can fully stand, his hand finds my waist. The warmth of his palm sinks through the fabric of my hoodie, fingers curling just enough to make me forget how to breathe.
He slowly tugs me closer, and my breath stutters, pulse tripping over itself as I glance up, while he’s already leaning in with a soft grin on his lips.
