Grinning at my teammate, I made a whole show of checking Kimi out in his matching team kit. He had filled out since we were teenagers, and he was attractive, but we’d always been like siblings. We practically grew up together. “This color looks good on you. It really brings out your eyes.”
“You’re such a flirt, Dubois,” he teased, winking at me and running a hand through his hair.
I tilted my head. “Maybe. And for the record, I’m not a girl, Kimi. I’m a woman now. Don’t act like you haven’t noticed.” I batted my eyelashes at him, and Kimi’s light brown eyes widened. “C’est dommage que tu ne sois pas mon type… sinon, je t’aurais déjà embrassé.”
It’s a shame you’re not my type… otherwise I’d have kissed you already.
Callum choked. Like, actually choked. I looked over just in time to see him doubled over and coughing, and Marco rubbed his back sympathetically.
“So romantic, Dubois. And here I thought the French were passionate people.” Kimi gave me a knowing look.
I shoved at his chest. “We are. We practically invented the term. Fuck off if you disagree.” Kimi smirked and folded his arms across his chest.
“You good, mate?” Marco asked, chuckling, and I smiled like a fucking maniac. He deserved it.
“He’s fine,” I said quickly before Callum could recover. He is on my shit list currently. My voice came out syrupy sweet, dipped in mischief and just a little venom. “Maybe a bit… overwhelmed that I know how to flirt. You know, since I apparently dress like a tour guide.”
Marco gasped and took his hand off his friend’s back, looking offended on my behalf. “Tell me you didn’t say that to her.”
I crossed my arms. “He did. It’s a wonder he’s ever gotten laid at all, the way he talks to women.”
Callum blanched, looking as though he’d just been run over by the entire float, while Kimi and Marco cackled.
“Fucking hell,” Marco wheezed. “You’re ruthless.”
“She’s feistier than usual today. Is that because of Fraser?”
“No,” I snapped, because I didn’t want them to think my mood was all because of Callum. It wasn’t, but no one needed to know about all the pressures I was facing. “It’s Monaco. Brings out the drama in everyone.”
Callum opened his mouth to speak, but then the crowd roared, sweeping us into another round of waves as cameras flashed like fireworks. Somehow, through all of it, I felt him next to me—his silence, his heat, his stare.
God help me, I wasn’t ready to be near him, but I didn’t really want to be anywhere else.
We were sandwiched between Kimi and Marco, leaning against the railing, and our hands touched.
“Auri, I didn’t mean what I said?—”
“Ça va bien, Fraser. All good,” I interrupted, not in the mood for half-baked apologies today. I didn’t look at him as I said, “Guess it’s true what you said. Ladies should always finish first, but if you keep opening your mouth like that, you’ll be lucky if you get to finish at all.”
Then I turned and walked to the other side of the float, needing the fucking space I asked for to begin with so I could put all these stupid goddamn rumors to rest.
Media Dayin Monaco was all glitz and ego. Luxury yachts bobbed behind barricades while designer sunglasses glinted beneath the sun. Drivers mingled with celebrities, cameras flashed, and every smile looked expensive. Even the air smelled like a rich peoples’ playground.
And yet, all I could think about was damage control.
As I navigated through the crowd, I spottedKimiand sidled up next to him, plastering on a polite expression.
“Smile for the camera, love,” a reporter chirped, snapping photos as she passed.
“Charming,” I muttered under my breath.Lovedoesn’t sound the same when it wasn’t coming from Callum.
Kimichuckled. “Dubois, you disappeared on the float yesterday. You good?”
“Mmhmm,” I said, distracted, eyes scanning for the biggest reporter pack. The heat didn’t help my rising irritability. My skin already felt too tight.
“Good. Hey, I wanted to ask about—” he started, but a voice snagged his attention. He shot me an apologetic look and turned away.
I moved on, threading through bodies and finally making it to the press pen. It reeked of perfume, sweat, and desperation—as though all of Monaco had crammed itself into this one glittering square of hell.
