Page 55 of Formula Fling

“Hi, I’m Posey,” I say.

“She’s writing an article about Crown Velocity,” Carlos explains, and I cringe internally every time that lie is repeated. I cannot wait for this race to be over so Lex can help me come clean to Harley.

“Ah,” he says with a sly smile toward Lex. “No wonder I haven’t read about you in the headlines lately.”

“Funny guy,” Lex mutters. “You won’t be laughing Sunday when the only thing you’re able to see are the ERS lights on the back of my car.”

Stefan laughs and I do have to marvel how these guys can be so fiercely competitive on the track and yet jest as old friends off it.

Reid chuckles, clearly enjoying the smack talk. “You two have been at each other’s throats since the first practice lap last year.”

Lex grins. “What can I say? Some rivalries never die.”

“Just make sure you both keep it clean on Sunday,” Carlos adds with a grin. “I don’t want to be dodging debris like last season.”

I watch the back-and-forth with amusement. The camaraderie among these men is obvious, even when they’re teasing. It’s clear they respect one another, but the competitive fire runs deep.

“So, who’s your money on?” Stefan asks, turning to me with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

I don’t hesitate, for nothing more than my loyalty to him. “I’d be a fool not to bet on Lex, wouldn’t I?”

Stefan rolls his eyes playfully. “You’re clearly delusional.”

I laugh and Reid leans in, lowering his voice. “Just between us, if you’re looking for a sure bet… I wouldn’t count me out.”

Lex snorts. “In your dreams, mate.”

“Hey, I’m just saying,” Reid says with a grin. “Don’t be surprised if you see my name at the top of the leaderboard.”

For the first time tonight, I feel at ease, enjoying this event more with every passing moment.

Lex claps the men on the back. “If you’ll excuse us, I promised the lady a drink.”

They all nod their farewells and wishes to see me again, and it sounds so heartfelt that I think maybe I could be a part of this world.

Lex turns to me as we walk through the crowd, his voice low and full of affection. “Having fun?”

“Surprisingly, yes. You’ve got quite the group of friends here.”

Lex shrugs, his arm brushing mine. “They’re all right, I guess. But none of them look as good as you do tonight.”

My cheeks warm at the compliment and I’m about to respond in kind since he looks devastatingly gorgeous when Spencer Montgomery appears. He leans in, gives me a peck on the cheek in greeting and puts a hand on Lex’s shoulder. “If you don’t mind, I’ve got some potential sponsors that I want you to meet.” He looks at me apologetically. “I’ll have him back before you know it.”

“No worries at all,” I assure them and nod at the bar. “I’ll just grab myself a drink and people watch.”

Lex looks a little undecided and I can tell he’s worried about leaving me alone, not that I can’t handle myself, but he knows this entire event is out of my comfort zone. I give him a confident smile. “Go wow the sponsors.”

He nods and promises, “I won’t be long and I’ll meet you back here.”

I watch as they melt into the crowd and then I slip into an opening at the bar. Three tenders work efficiently and I wait until one of them acknowledges me with a chin lift.

I glance around and take in the über-rich, the upper echelons of sport racing society. The room is filled with people I’ve only ever seen on TV or in magazines, and I once again spot the crown prince standing near the center of the room, surrounded by an entourage.

I’m about to pull out my phone and text Maeve to see where she is when I feel someone step beside me. I glance up, expecting to see Lex, but instead, it’s Ronan.

There’s no helping my body’s visceral reaction and for as much as I have liked the other drivers, the fact is, his presence immediately puts me on edge. The way he leans in close makes my skin crawl.

“Looking good, Posey,” he says, his voice low and slick. “Lex sure knows how to pick ’em.”

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