Page 3 of Too Fast To Fall
Emilio shook his head. “Mom, no. Just no.”
“What?”
“You arenotgoing to get romantically involved with one of my competitors. Just no.”
“He’s forty. It’s not like he’s your age.”
“So, he’s ten years older. That’s not that big of a difference. Please, just stay away.”I don’t need life at the track to be any more complicated.
“I’m human. I need love. I need affection.”
“And there are only twenty Formula One drivers in the world, which leaves the rest of humanity up for grabs.”
His mother tutted. “How am I supposed to meet someone? Dating apps? I have discerning tastes.”
“Meet someone the normal way. By accident.” Emilio never met anyone by accident anymore. Formula One had exploded in growth,and the fans and media were everywhere, so out of necessity, he was tucked away in a bubble. It was fine with him. It madethings easier. Gus and racing—those were his only concerns.
She patted his hand. “I’m not you,mijo. I’m not on television and in magazines and simply waiting for the next beautiful eligible person to walk by.”
“I’m not waiting for anyone.”
“You don’t need to wait.”She wagged her finger. “I’m sure Victoria would take you back.”
“That’s not happening.” Emilio wanted nothing to do with his ex, even though the breakup still ate at him. Not because hewas heartbroken. It was because hewasn’theartbroken. What did that say about him? They’d been together for two years. And he felt nothing. Was he broken? Too fixatedon his job? He didn’t have time to analyze his feelings.
“But she’s so perfect for you. Beautiful and smart. And she’s already part of your world. That’s no small thing.”
Isabel opened the door and poked her head inside. “I’m heading up to the PR office to do some work, but I wanted to let youknow that I haven’t heard back from the dog sitting service yet. If they get back to me, I’ll text you.”
“I hope we hear something soon.” Emilio slid his mother a look—she’d refused to watch Gus for even five minutes. She “wasn’tan animal person,” whatever that was supposed to mean. “I hate having to worry about Gus. And I really need to focus on therace.”
Piper Murphy and her dad, Josh, were glued to her phone, watching the end of Formula One qualifying while standing betweentwo racks of clearance wedding dresses at Moondance Bridal. Piper’s sister Gabby, the bride-to-be, was due to emerge fromthe dressing room in her gown any second now. As much as Piper adored her sister, she had some real existential dread aboutthat moment. She was thankful to have the distraction of her favorite sport, especially when watching with her dad.
“I have a feeling Lockford’s going to set the fastest time again. Just like he did in Saudi Arabia,” Piper said. The finalminutes of the session were winding down.
“It’s not over ’til it’s over.” Josh was the king of dad-isms.
And just like that, Brett Lockford whizzed across the finish line, set the fastest time and secured pole position. Brett wasneither Piper’s favorite driver, nor her dad’s, so it was disappointing.
“Ugh. I’m sick of him this season.” Piper couldn’t stand to watch, so she turned off the livestream and tucked her phone intoher bag. “He’s winning everything. He’ll probably win again tomorrow. I wish he wasn’t running away with it. I’d like a littleintrigue.”
“It was like this last season with Emilio Baquero. He won nearly every race, didn’t he?” Josh stuffed his hands into the pocketsof his tan cargo shorts. “I don’t remember you ever getting sick of him winning.”
Piper felt the color rise in her cheeks. She liked a lot of the drivers, but Emilio was one of her favorites. So no, she nevergot tired of seeing him win, but that was only because it was so exciting to watch him drive. It was also exciting to watchhim take off his helmet and run his hand through his epic head of hair. And walk around the paddock with his race suit hangingfrom his waist, showing off his unbelievable chest and shoulders. “That’s different. Emilio’s an exciting driver. Brett Lockfordis boring. He’s like dry toast.”
“Tell me how you really feel, kiddo.”
“Are you two done over there? Gabby will be out of the dressing room any minute,” her mother, Willa, called. “Honestly. Watchingcar racing in the middle of a bridal shop. It’s embarrassing.”
Her dad stepped up behind her mom, placed both hands on her shoulders and leaned down to kiss the top of her head. “This ishow Piper and I bond. You know that.”
“And our middle daughter is getting married,” her mom countered. “Perhaps we all need to set aside our personal wants andfocus on Gabby.”
Piper sucked in a cleansing breath. She’d had her fill of Gabby’s wedding preparations. It was all their entire family talkedabout anymore. “Formula One helps me decompress. I had a very unruly client this morning.” Piper plopped down on the whitevelvet settee next to her mom.
Her mom flicked at her phone screen. As one of the top-selling real estate agents in their quaint Florida beachside enclaveof Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Willa was always working. Not that Piper could complain. Piper had her own devotion to her job.Aside from her family, it was the glue keeping her life together.
“Client?” her mom asked. “Honey, I have clients. You work with dogs. Dogs are not clients.”
