Page 18 of Formula Fling

“Oh, come on now… surely you researched me.”

Another blush and I think it might become a favorite pastime of mine… if I can get Posey to blush.

“You’re admittedly one of the bad boys of FI racing. Along with your teammate, Ronan.”

“Yeah,” I say wistfully. “We’ve had some good times getting in trouble.”

I notice Posey detaches a little, her expression flattening at the mention of Ronan. “You don’t like him,” I observe.

“I didn’t say that,” she exclaims with indignation.

“Didn’t have to,” I reply, pointing my fork at her and waving it in a circle. “It’s all over your face.”

She doesn’t admit or deny anything but makes an observation of her own. “I noticed that you seem close with Ronan and Carlos, but you compete against them. How does that work? Being friends with people you race against?”

That’s a bloody good question and one that would be pertinent to her writing about FI racing. It’s something many people wonder about.

“Easy. We’re enemies on the track, but off it, we’re mates. It’s weird, yeah, but it’s the way things are. We all know what we’re here for—to win—but that doesn’t stop us from grabbing a drink after a race.”

“Carlos seems like a really nice guy,” she muses. The distinct lack of inclusion of Ronan says it all.

I laugh, amused. “Yeah, well, admittedly Ronan’s a prick most of the time. But he’s wicked talented on the track. Carlos, though… he’s been one of my best mates since we were kids. We started karting together. He’s practically family.”

Before I can say more, I notice Spencer Montgomery approaching our table, looking every bit the racing mogul that he is. Spencer is tall and well-built, his dark hair streaked silver at the temples. He’s wearing jeans, of all things, but paired with a crisp Crown Velocity button-down shirt that somehow makes the casual look refined.

“Afternoon,” Spencer greets, his voice smooth and cultured as he claps me on the shoulder before turning his gaze to my lunch companion. “You must be Posey Evans. Welcome to the team.”

Spencer sticks his hand out and they shake.

“Thank you,” she says, clearly a bit awestruck. “I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

I can’t help but grin at her because the opportunity that Spencer thinks he’s given her is not the same opportunity she’s taking. I don’t know why it amuses me so much that she’s pulling a ballsy fast one, but it does. I know I should be protective of my team, but I’ve learned just enough about Posey to know she’s harmless. There’s nothing she’s doing here that’s going to hurtCrown Velocity and honestly, the last few days have been some of the most interesting I’ve had in a long time.

Spencer side-eyes me and then inclines his head her way. “I trust Lex is behaving himself?”

I chuckle and answer for her. “Trying to keep me on a short lead, is that it?”

Spencer chuckles, but there’s a sharpness behind his eyes. “Well, I wasn’t exactly thrilled about your little scrap with Lord Edward. You know how much trouble that caused. But… the bloke’s a right arsehole, so I’m sure he provoked it. Still, no more of that, understood?”

That shocks me he’d say that about his own cousin, but I don’t underestimate his desire for me to improve my behavior when out in public.

“Understood,” I reply earnestly, then look to Posey. “Besides, this lady right here is keeping me on the straight and narrow.”

Spencer looks intrigued, studying me a moment before turning to Posey. “We’re glad to have you here. I’m sure you’ll get a good story out of this lot.”

Again, she blushes and that’s the coloration of guilt, which makes her even more adorable. They shake hands again and then Spencer is off to do the million things swirling on his plate to make this team one of the best on the circuit.

Posey watches him go, looking slightly overwhelmed. “He’s… formidable. And slightly intimidating.”

“Yeah,” I agree. “Spencer’s not just a figurehead. He’s the one who makes sure this team runs smoothly. But don’t let his charm fool you. He’s not above giving someone the boot if they step out of line.”

“Seems like you’ve been close to that a few times,” she teases. “Because yeah… I did my research on you.”

I grin. “Maybe once or twice.”

Posey glances at her watch, then back at me. “I’ve got to run. I’m going to check out an Airbnb nearby. I hate that commute here from London, what with you crazy Brits driving on the wrong side of the road.”

I roll my eyes at her but secretly, I’m enjoying her fluffy mockery. I love how she tries to have bite but can’t quite achieve it because it’s not in her nature. “Yeah… you’ll want to be closer to Woking as things are heating up these last few weeks before the first race.”

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