Page 40 of The Chase

He massaged his temples and sighed. “I’m truly sorry. Is there anything I can do to make up for it?”

“If only you could turn back time.”

Blake pursed his lips. “I didn’t say I was the most brilliant man in the world. I’m just a Southern boy from Texas who should have minded his own damn business.”

“Then why didn’t you?” I demanded.

“I wanted you to see what a great driver your dad was, what an inspiration he still is. Why he’s the reason I want to drive with y’all now. Please accept my apology.”

That brought me up short. He was so sincere. Had he truly meant no harm?

I took a shaky breath. “Fine,” I said at last.

He reached across the table and squeezed my hand, and I felt myself smiling for the first time that evening. It was obvious to me now that he genuinely had no idea what I’d find.

I sipped my wine and glanced over at him. He hadn’t let go of my hand yet. I didn’t pull away. “While we’re being honest,” I said. “Is this dinner another attempt at wooing me? It doesn’t exactly feel like a business meeting.”

“You caught me. Is it working?” he asked, arching a brow. Perhaps he’d decided that the honest approach was the only one that would work on me.

“Are you going to give up?”

“Not until I succeed.”

I thought about this. Two successful and handsome men both wanting to be with me? What had changed about me? What suddenly made me so desirable? But maybe I was starting to believe what people had told me. I did look pretty good in the new Alexander Wheaton outfit. I was still thinking about this when the server came with our food. I could have left at that point. But for some reason, I let go of my anger.

The conversation shifted when I asked Blake questions about himself. He talked about his youth, growing up in Texas. His father had wanted him to go to college, but Blake wanted to pursue a racing career.

“He hates that I succeeded at racing. He wanted me to come crawling back to him and beg for him to give me a job. Luckily, my sister took a keen interest in the business, the and now with all my successes, my father is finally happy for me—or as happy as he could be.”

“I’m glad it all worked out for you.”

“Me too, especially with my retirement looming.”

“You’re thinking you want to drive for Perez for one year?” I asked.

“Like a swan song, yeah.”

“Have you decided what your plans are after that?”

“Hopefully by then the woman of my dreams will marry me, and we can live happily ever after.”

I could feel my cheeks burn. “I’m too young for you.”

“Age is only a number.”

“I don’t want to live in Texas.”

“We can live wherever you like.”

I sighed. I had to admire his relentlessness. “I’m with Devin. IloveDevin.”

“You’re too good for him.”

The waiter cleared our plates, discreetly ignoring our conversation. Just then, my cell phone buzzed. “Luna Perez,” I said, still smiling over Blake’s attempts at winning me over. I hadn’t even looked to see who was calling. I assumed it was Rafe.

“You sound happy. Where are you?”

I froze. “Still at the gallery,” I said, trying to hide my shock at hearing Devin’s voice. To my horror, I also felt something like disappointment. Like he was ruining my fun.

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