EPILOGUE
NATHAN
Three Months Later
It doesn’t get any better than this.
I stare out from the top step of the podium at the yachts dotting the Monaco marina. God Save the King is blaring over the speakers. I have the track-shaped trophy tucked under my arm, and Katie is in the crowd below, beaming up at me.
“Soak it in, mate,” Nicky yells from the second step of the podium, just to the right of me. “It doesn’t get any better than this.”
I grin at my friend, bending to place my trophy on the ground and replace it with an oversized bottle of champagne. With a whoop of pure joy, I cover Nicky and his teammate, Patrick, in sprays of bubbles while they do their best to soak me to the skin.
“You’ve done it,” Nicky says as the festivities die down and we’re ushered off the podium and away from the jubilant fans. “A far cry from last year, hey?”
I nod in full agreement. Twelve months ago, the two of us had stood on this podium and received our trophies in a very different mood.
That day, Nicky had taken first place and was a grumpy sod after his self-imposed distance from the love of his life, Cherry.
As for me? I’d been no better. That day, just before the Monaco race last year, was the day Victoria dumped me.
The day she told me she’d fallen for my brother.
The day I’d believed myself to be heartbroken.
“Yes,” I agree, nudging him with my shoulder. “This time I’m the one on the top step.”
He shrugs, no longer the single-minded racer with only winning on his mind. Now that he had Cherry, the guy was so mellow. He was like a different person. “Eh, I’m happy for you, Nate. Winning at Monaco is the pinnacle of your career. Enjoy it.”
I bump my fist against his with a grateful smile, watching as he scuttles off to find his girlfriend. Speaking of which. Time to find Katie.
“Not so fast,” Theo grumbles, stepping in front of me with his eyes narrowed. He knows exactly where I’m heading.
“Come on, man. I’ll be quick.”
He smirks. “We both know that’s a complete lie. Once you get your hands on Katie, I’ll have lost you for the rest of the day.”
“Theo,” I groan out his name. “It’s her first time seeing me on the podium.”
His face softens ever so slightly. Which, for this man, may mean I’ve won. “And you’ll have to wait fifteen more minutes. Time to face the press.”
Or maybe not.
“Fine,” I say, following along behind him. “At least these interviews will go better than last year.”
He grunts in return. “Can’t go much worse.”
It’s true. Last year, I’d been a mess. Heartbroken and betrayed, I’d taken that second place to heart.
Second in the race, second in love. I’d been so surly and uncommunicative with the press pack that Nicky had to step in and take over answering questions, and then I’d left to nurse my wounds in peace.
Not even celebrating achieving almost winning the most prestigious race of the year.
“Don’t worry, man. I’ll make up for it now.”
Theo nods, and I take a seat in front of the microphone.
While I stare out at the crowd, waiting for the questions to fly at me, I take a beat and let it sink in.
Let the happiness sink in. Today I’d won the most coveted race on the F1 calendar, but that was nothing compared to the knowledge that after this, I get to celebrate with the woman I’m crazy in love with.
Katie Winslow.
These past three months with her have brought me more happiness than I believed possible.
After reuniting in Melbourne, we have settled into a relationship that brings me peace and exhilarates me at the same time.
Despite all Katie’s reservations, our lives have slotted together perfectly.
In the weeks between races, I spend at least a few days back in London with her, even if the travel and the jet lag work against me. It’s worth it.
During those times at home, I take her out on dates.
We go to dinner at the pub and spend time hanging out with Jade.
We go on picnics together, when the weather cooperates, and when I had a two-week break in the calendar, we even took a mini break.
A blissful weekend in Bruges, along with another snow globe to add to Katie’s collection.
And during all of this, what I’ve been jokingly calling our courtship, we’ve fallen deeper in love.
Katie has dropped all her walls and has embraced having me in her life.
Her face lights up when she sees me, and there’s no longer an aura of sadness and loneliness around her.
After many dark years, she’s coming back to life.
“So, tell us, Nathan. How are you planning on celebrating this win tonight?”
I’m drawn back into the present, my eyes squinting against the spotlights glaring down on me. “Well, my girlfriend is here with me this weekend. So, we’re celebrating together.”
“Your girlfriend? Miss Katherine Winslow?”
“Dr Katherine Winslow,” I correct the reporter with a hard stare.
They need to get this right. Katie agreed to have her name linked with mine publicly when she realised that the publicity could help get her research funded.
It’s sad, really. What she does every day is so important, and yet it’s only being recognised because she’s with me.
A man who races cars around the track for ninety minutes every other week.
The world is upside down. “And yes, she’s with me this weekend.
And I’m thrilled to bring the win home for her. ”
The crowd murmurs with excitement. I’m not one to speak openly about my love life. Not after the disaster that was my breakup with Victoria. I’m not sure I’ll ever trust the media with full details of my life after that.
“And is it true you’re living together?”
I raise a brow at Theo, who’s glaring at the reporter. This line of questioning isn’t typical of a post-race interview.
“Yes, that’s true,” I admit, unable to swallow my smile of happiness.
Katie and Nuke had moved into my home a month ago, and since then, it’s been pure bliss returning from a race weekend to find the two of them cuddled on my couch together.
“Now, are there any other race-related questions you want to ask? Or else I’d like to get out of here. ”
The group all throw questions at me at the same time, and I chuckle, dealing with each one in turn until Theo steps in to wrap it up. Finally.
“Am I free to go?” I ask as we leave the press behind.
He grins, a rare smile from the man with a perma-frown. “Yeah, go find your girl.”
I thump him on the shoulder and rush away, searching the crowd for my gorgeous woman with her masses of luscious hair and a heart-shaped freckle.
“You did it!” She launches herself at me from behind, and I turn swiftly to scoop her up into my arms. “I’m so proud of you.”
My lips find hers, and I kiss her deeply. Katie has the sweetest, most addictive lips, and I’m not ashamed to admit that kissing her makes my knees weak. Every. Single. Time.
“Thanks,” I whisper, fusing my mouth with hers for one more kiss. From the soft moan she’s making, I don’t think she minds. “I’m so happy you’re here with me,” I tell her when we emerge for some much-needed air.
“I’m happy, too.” She leans back in my arms to look up at me, and I drink her in. Her cheeks are flushed, her hair wind-tousled and wild around her beautiful face, and she’s wearing my team shirt. With my name on the back. She’s never looked prettier.
“Let’s get out of here.” I tug on her hand, pulling her away from the mayhem happening around us.
She laughs, tucking herself under my arm like she belongs there. Because she does; she belongs in my arms for always.
“Where are we going?”
I waggle my brows at her. “Back to the hotel.”
Her cheeks flush, and it’s just another thing I love about her. It’s so easy to get her flustered.
“But I told Rosie we’d go out with her tonight.”
I frown down at her. “Now, why would you do that?”
She giggles. “We want to celebrate with her. Rosie is your family.”
That’s true. Sadly, Rosie is now the only part of my family I allow into my life.
After hearing what my mother said to Katie in St. Lucia, in addition to her manipulation on the wedding day, I’ve put solid boundaries in place with the rest of them.
They are my family and I love them, but that doesn’t mean I have to like them.
Or I have to spend time with them. Katie, having a more tender heart than me, is trying to bridge the gap between us.
I think after losing her mum, she doesn’t want to see me waste time with mine.
She’s trying to get me to forgive them all, for me more than for them.
Time will tell how that works out.
“Fine, one drink with Rosie. We’ll invite Theo along. That will kill the mood quick-fast.”
Katie’s eyes twinkle with mischief. “I can’t wait for them to move from enemies to the next stage.”
My brows furrow. “The next stage?”
She sighs, looping her arm through mine and pulling me along beside her. “Nathan, we’ve spoken about this. About the tropes.”
“Right. Fake dating. Only one bed,” I proudly relay our tropes.
“Yes.” She beams up at me. “And your sister and your manager? They have enemies-to-lovers written all over them.”
I groan. “That’s my sister, Kitty Kat. I don’t want to hear about her and anything to do with lovers. Besides, I don’t think that’s the case. They really hate each other.”
She pats my arm. “We’ll see.”
I stop and press my lips against hers. “You just want everyone to be as loved up as us. As happy as us.”
“Not possible,” she whispers, leaning back to stare into my eyes. I look down at her, my heart thumping almost painfully in my chest.
“True,” I whisper against her lips. “No one can be as happy as us. I love you, Kitty Kat. For now, and for always.”
Her smile shimmers back at me. “I love you, too, Nathan Jackson. Thank you for bringing me back to life.”
I kiss her once more, and together, with our hands and our hearts linked, we walk out into the sunshine. Into a future that feels infinitely bright.
THE END.