Page 37 of Too Fast To Fall
“The sassy Pomeranian I told you about. When I explained how I use my dog treats to meet dogs?”
Emilio laughed. “Oh, right. Tasha.”
It was nice to be able to geek out about dogs in front of Emilio and be mostly understood. “Just staying busy.”
“You’ll get no judgment from me. Only admiration.” He pointed up ahead. “There’s the good coffee shop.”
Piper craned her neck. “That place? It’s literally called The Good Coffee Shop. I figured that meant it was horrible.”
“I only said it was good. Not great. I’d say the name is accurate.”
“It’s a bit late for coffee, but I’ll stop by there the next time I take Gus for a morning walk.”
“We need a pint and some solid pub food.” Emilio came to a stop in front of a tavern with arched windows skirted by flowerboxes bursting with red and purple blooms. He hoisted open the hulking wood door. “After you.”
Piper stepped inside, immediately struck by the coziness of the place, with a long wood bar straight ahead and about a dozenround tables dotting the room and a few cozy booths along the windows overlooking the street. It was on the early side fordinner—only a little after 6 p.m., but there were at least twenty patrons enjoying a beer and a laugh. A woman with frizzybrown hair was pulling pints behind the bar. She acknowledged Emilio with a nod.
“I like the corner booth if that’s okay,” Emilio said.
Piper followed his lead and slid into the seat while Emilio took the other side. She’d never been out in public with Emiliooutside of an F1 track, aside from their ill-fated run, but she could see why he would enjoy visiting this place—nobody seemedto recognize him, and if they did, no one said a thing.
The woman from behind the bar brought over a few menus. “You decided to grace us with your presence, I see.”
“Evie, this is Piper. Piper, this is Evie,” Emilio said.
Evie smiled and nodded. “He’s never brought a girlfriend in ’ere before.”
“Oh, um, I’m not—” Piper gestured at Emilio, then pulled her hand back, rested her elbow on the table and her chin on herballed-up hand. “His. You know. I’m not. That.”
Evie playfully slugged Piper’s arm. “That’s not what it says in the papers.”
“Evie’s a big F1 fan.”
“All my life. I love that Xander Bishop,” Evie said. “Now, there’s a handsome lad.”
Emilio rolled his eyes. “See? She loves Xander.” He directed his attention to Evie. “I’d come in more often if you were oneof my fans.”
“What can I say? Got a soft spot for my British boys.” She shrugged. “What can I bring you today? A salad like last time?”
He shook his head. “Not today. I’d like fish and chips.” He turned to Evie. “Is there any way they can make me a small order?It’s so much food and my trainer will kill me.”
“Why don’t we split an order?” Piper suggested. By all accounts, F1 drivers had to watch everything they ate. An extra poundin the car would only slow them down.
“You sure you want to do that?” he asked.
Piper nodded eagerly. “Yes. Absolutely.”
“And two pints of red ale.” Emilio looked at Piper. “Tomorrow’s my hard training day. I guess I’ll be making it extra hard.”
“I’ll be right back, love.” Evie sidled off.
“Cool place.” Piper sat back, feeling relaxed despite the girlfriend comment. “It reminds me a bit of home.”
“Tell me about that. Home.”
Piper had no reason to be embarrassed, but something about the query made her cheeks flush with heat. Maybe because she wasstill getting used to Emilio taking an interest in her and not giving her the cold shoulder. “It’s chill. Very laid-back.It’s a beach town, so it has that relaxed vibe.”
“And you like it?”
