Page 62 of Sparks Fly
“When do you leave?” Rue turns her question to me as she places her wine glass down.
“Monday.” I frown, couple more days and I’ll be back home. It’s gone too quick.
“Back to the grind, then?”
“Yes.” I lick my lips as I drag my wine closer to me.
“Hard life.” Anaïs shrugs, and I watch the way her lips twist.
“It is.” I dramatise my sigh which causes her to laugh softly.
“At least you do something you love, right?” Rue asks and I nod.
“I do love it, actually. It feels like I was made more for this role than when I was a driver.”
“I can imagine being an F1 driver is demanding and very challenging.”
“Very,” I say on a sip of wine, “but also very rewarding when things go right.” I tease a smile at Anaïs.
“I loved being at the races.” She sighs, and I don’t miss the way her lips droop at the sides.
“Can you not attend anymore?” Rue turns her body to face her friend and Anaïs drops her eyes from mine for a moment.
“It’s a little different now, I suppose. Before, I was with Royce, and I could come and go as I pleased… but now.” She glances up at me. “It just won’t work.”
My chest tightens and I know there are a million things I can say right now, but I don’t.
I want to tell her she is always welcome in the paddock, always welcome in our garage, but I must remember the boundaries. Must remember that she is my son’s ex-girlfriend and with that title comes a line that I cannot cross.
Even though I want to.
If only once.
“Well, you can always watch the race with me here next year. My parents have an apartment overlooking the track that they rent out, I can snap it up for us.”
“That would be amazing,” Anaïs replies.
Before I can say anything more, the oysters are placed down in front of us with shallot vinegar and tobacco sauce. Anaïs scrunches her nose, Rue looks disgusted.
“How do I… I mean, what do I do…” Anaïs eyes widen, and I chuckle.
“Here, Ace, lemme show you.” I reach for the oyster fork, separating it slightly then spooning a small amount of shallot vinegar before I bring it to my lips and let it slide into my mouth. Chewing ever so slightly then swallowing before placing the empty shell face down.
“It looks like a big bogey.” Rue gags and I shake my head as I turn the oyster shell upside down.
“Come on, Ace, try one.” I fix it for her and pass it across the table. She is hesitant but takes it whilst eyeing it. “Don’t think about it, perch it on your lips and tip it back.”
She nods; her beautiful blue eyes widen on me. Tipping her head back, she slips the oyster in and I watch her expression with intent. The disgust soon turns to surprise before she is nodding and licking her lips.
“Okay.” She flicks her eyes between me and Rue. “Hear me out.”
“Better than they look, right?” I chuckle.
“So much better.” She hovers her hand over the iced plate and looks at me for approval.
I push it towards her as she mirrors my moves, getting her oyster ready.
“I think you should try it, Rue.” She hums as she adds the shallot vinegar, holding it before her lips.
