Page 87 of Kiss & Collide
She hesitated a beat, then reached up and pressed a quick kiss to his mouth. “Bye.” It felt … domestic. Intimate and familiar, which was wildlyunfamiliarto her. But she tried her best not to overthink it. She liked this. She was happy. For now, that was enough.
The sun was intense as Violet made her way through the paddock toward the Pinnacle garage. They were between qualifyingsessions so dance music was thumping through the loudspeakers, echoing through the track.
In the garage, everyone was bustling around with brisk efficiency. Rabia was discussing something with Imogen, who was busily taking notes. When Rabia looked up and saw her, she waved her over.
“Got an update for you, Violet.” Beside her, Imogen looked positively thrilled.
Rabia cast a quick glance around the garage, but no one was close enough to hear. She leaned in closer and lowered her voice. “Leon and I massaged our contacts at Sokia and worked out a deal to get our power unit from them. Imogen slid that contract under Junior’s nose and got him to sign off on it without even glancing at it.”
Violet looked from Rabia to Imogen. “That is seriously underhanded. It sounds like something I’d do. Imogen, I’m so proud of you.”
Imogen blushed and shrugged. “If it’s got one of those ‘sign here’ stickies on it, he’ll sign anything. Hecouldhave read it, if he bothered.”
Rabia snickered. “Yeah, Veben was mad at first, but … Sokia provides units for Lennox, Allegri, and Hansbach. This will give us a much better chance.”
Sure would. They were ranked first, second, and third on the grid.
“Your new design is brilliant, too, Rabia,” Imogen said.
Rabia tilted her chin down and looked at Violet over her glasses. “We couldn’t have afforded that Sokia power unit without that influx of cash from Carillon.”
“That part was all Chase. Carillon wants him for their watch ads and they were willing to invest in Pinnacle to lure him in.”
“And who made Chase? You’re the new power behind the throne, Violet.”
Was she … blushing?
“Oh, hush. I think it might be all of us. Team spirit. Ra!” she said awkwardly.
Oh my god, whowasshe?
Rabia and Imogen turned back to their conversation and Violet headed out of the garage. Up ahead in the paddock, she saw a familiar face coming from the opposite direction.
“Simon!” she called out when he was close enough. “I haven’t seen you in ages.”
“Violet. You look stunning, as always.” He leaned in to kiss her cheek, and lingered a beat too long before pulling back.
She hadn’t seen Simon since that night on the yacht in Monte Carlo. It amazed her to remember it now, but she’d been halfway intending to sleep with him that night, had things worked out differently. But then Chase had crossed her path and … well, everything had changed.
“How are you?” she asked.
Simon gave an elegant shrug. “Keeping busy with the team. You know how it is. How about you?”
“Same. I’m run off my feet, actually.”
“Right. I’m sure you’ve got your hands full now that your driver’s dumped his movie star girlfriend.”
She fought back the urge to laugh. “It was a very amicable parting of the ways,” she said, quoting the press release Horace had drafted. “No dumping involved.”
“Whatever you say. Hey, I hope you’re not too busy for a little fun.” Simon smiled at her, slow and seductive, and reached out to brush his fingertips across the back of her hand. “I seemed to have lost track of you in Monaco, which is a shame. Maybe I can make it up to you now.”
“I, ah …” She laughed awkwardly and hooked her hair behind her ear. Oh, god, she hadn’t been in this position in a while. She’d almost forgotten how it worked. “Actually, I’m seeing someone now.” The same someone they’d just been discussing, but she’d leave that bit out for now.
Simon stared at her for a beat, then he let out a bark of laughter.
She scowled. “What’s so funny?”
Simon’s laughter trailed off. “Oh, shit, are you serious?”
