Page 23 of Formula Chance

I turn to Reid, answering his question truthfully. “Bexley’s doing great. She’s earned her spot on this team.”

Reid grins, his gaze sliding off to watch Bernie melting into the crowd before coming back to me. “I think it’s awesome that there’s a female race strategy engineer. More women in sports is always a good thing, right?” His voice is light, but he’s also amused by what he just witnessed. He looks pointedly to Matthieu who pretends he sees someone he recognizes and mumbles farewells.

We watch him walk away and then Carlos turns to me. “Had a good talk with Bex earlier today.”

“Oh really,” I say blandly. “Hadn’t noticed you hugging her extra long.”

Carlos snorts and Reid’s brows draw in. “What am I missing?”

“They used to be together,” Carlos informs him. “And now she’s as single as they come.”

Reid’s eyes widen slightly in understanding, then he smirks. “Ah. So that’s why you’re so protective. I get it.”

I shrug, my tone guarded. “I don’t let people talk shit about someone I respect.”

Reid nods in approval and asks, “So she’s single, huh?”

I can’t tell if he’s asking for himself or just making conversation, but Carlos answers and I’m guessing he’s trying to poke at me. “I’m pretty sure Bexley won’t stay single for long. She’s got the brains and the looks.”

It’s tough but I tamp down the flicker of jealousy, unbidden but strong. I know Carlos is having a friendly go at me, but the thought of anyone getting too close to Bex makes my blood run cold.

Which is ridiculous. I shouldn’t care about who she sees or spends time with.

Still, I can’t seem to stop myself, my gaze cutting between my two friends. “Just don’t go there, mate,” I say, keeping my voice even.

Reid holds up his hands in surrender. “Message received.”

My gaze locks onto Carlos, who doesn’t give in quite so easily, but then he bursts out laughing. His hand comes to my shoulder. “You know, I tried to get nosy with Bex to find out what was going on between you two, but you told me more in the last ten seconds than I got from a full half hour of talking directly to her.”

Irritation picks at me but I shrug it off. “I’ve got no designs on her. But it would be weird to me if you did, so I’m just saying… don’t go there.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he assures me. “Bex is like a sister.” Something catches his attention and his voice trails off. But then he murmurs, “A super-hot sister though.”

Reid and I turn to see what Carlos is looking at and it’s Bexley, and fuck… she does look hot. She’s got on a black evening gown with a traditional high collar covering her throat and long sleeves. The material is adorned with black beads that glisten under the chandeliers and she’s wearing a black hijab.

The dress itself doesn’t make her look sexy, but it’s the confidence with which she carries herself. Her eye makeup is dramatic, those golden orbs lined with dark kohl and her full lips stained ruby red. She’s currently talking to a dark-complected older man with silver hair at his temples. He’s a top official with our governing body, someone who commands the utmost respect, and she looks completely at ease with him. I allow myself a moment to marvel at her confidence, which was one of the things that attracted me to her in the first place.

“Too bad there’s no dancing at this party,” Carlos murmurs thoughtfully and my neck twists to look at him.

He shoots me a devilish wink and I want to punch him. He was intentionally goading me to check my reaction.

“My friend,” he says, his Latino accent smooth and melodious. “I don’t care how much you might deny you’re interested, you are. My suggestion is you embrace it and figure out exactly what you and Bex might have—”

“We don’t have anything—”

He holds up a hand. “It may be you only have a professional relationship. I’m saying figure it out and move past the past.”

Tension leaves my body, and I nod at him. He’s telling me the same thing my father did. “Yeah… I know. You’re right.”

“And it might be,” he continues with a gleam in his eye, “that it’s more than professional.”

I open my mouth, but he gives me a short, stiff punch in the shoulder. “Don’t say something that I might later shove in your face with an ‘I told you so.’”

And with that, he walks off, still chuckling to himself.

Reid stands there looking amused, but I don’t give a fuck. Something about what Carlos said struck me hard.

Figure it out.

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