Page 69 of Too Fast To Fall
“Thank you. For everything.” Emilio leaned in and kissed her softly.
She savored every second. How many more of those kisses would she get? Not many. “You’re more than welcome,” she said. Andthen he was gone.
“My son,” Andreas said as he and Emilio walked to the garage. “How are you? Feeling good about the race? Monaco was yourslast year. You won so handily.”
“It’s different this year. You know that.” Emilio came to a stop behind the garage. “Dad, I need to tell you something. Momis coming today. I know it’s not her race, but she’s coming anyway. I’m sorry.”
To Emilio’s surprise, his dad’s face lit up. “Don’t apologize. I’m glad for it. Will she be coming to the garage? I’d liketo see her.”
Emilio didn’t know what to make of this. “Dad, she’s here with a man. She has a boyfriend.”
All color drained from his face. “Oh. I see.”
With a heavy heart, Emilio reached for his father’s shoulder. “Are you okay?”
He nodded and pressed his lips together like he was putting on a show of strength, but Emilio knew better. He hadn’t seenhis dad rattled many times, but that was exactly what was going on. “I knew she’d move on eventually. I’m disappointed it’shappened so soon, but I suppose this is what I deserved.”
“What does that mean?”
“The divorce is my fault.”
“Doesn’t it fall on both of you?”
His dad shook his head. “Your mother told me what she wanted. I didn’t give it to her.”
Emilio hesitated to ask, but it was rare for his dad to be open about personal matters. “Go on.”
“I was never forthcoming with my feelings. Kept everything to myself. Your grandfather was the same way. Feelings always bottledup. She needed more from me. More of a connection.”
Oh, boy. The apple did not fall far from the tree. Emilio’s thoughts flew to Piper. He’d been looking for a chance to tell her howhe was feeling, but he hadn’t seen an opening. Now he knew he needed totakethe chance, not wait for it. “You and I should have a chat about this. I’d like to hear more about how you’re coping.” Emiliocleared his throat. “It’s been hard for me, seeing you two apart. I think you and I need a chance to talk through our feelings.Not today, but soon.”
His father smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. “Of course. For now, you have racing to worry about.”
Monaco Grand Prix
Monte Carlo, Monaco
On their way to the paddock club, Piper and Gus ran into Harmony and Gumdrop. “There you are,” Harmony said. “Did you getmy text?”
Piper fished her phone out of her pocket. Somehow, she’d missed the message. “Sorry. Things have been busy this weekend.”
“I saw the tabloids. None of my business. Not why I wanted to talk. I was hoping you could make me a sample batch of dog treatsso my team can test them. I said they were great, but they want to see for themselves.”
“I’d have to do it when I get home to Florida.”
“That’s fine. I’ll text you the mailing address. Our US headquarters are in Minneapolis.”
Again, Piper had an uneasy feeling. This was so far outside her comfort zone. When things were unsettled in her life, shealways retreated there. Still, she had to stick up for herself. “Before I send anything, I need to speak to a lawyer. Makesure my bases are covered.” Piper braced for unpleasantness, but instead, Harmony smiled.
“Smart. Just because my company is sponsoring your boyfriend’s Formula One team doesn’t mean I can be trusted. If anything,it probably means I can’t be trusted.” She nodded and pulled a little tighter on Gumdrop’s leash. “Keep me posted and we’llhash it out.”
Emilio got settled in the car, his mind running fast after his conversation with his dad. He didn’t want to live with regrets,personal or professional. He’d spent enough time licking his wounds. He needed to get on with life. And more urgently, dowell in this race. Piper was there. His parents were, too. He wanted more than anything to have something they couldallbe proud of.
“Radio check?” he said.
“Yeah. Emilio. All good from our end,” Tom said.
“Good from my end, too.”
