NINETEEN
‘Ava?’
‘Mmm?’ I look up to find Emika standing in front of my desk with a concerned expression. ‘Sorry. Did you say something?’
‘Yes. Your name. Three times.’ She folds her arms. ‘Why are you smiling like that?’
‘Like what?’ I check my computer screen to hide my expression. ‘This is how I smile.’
‘No, it’s not. You look all … dreamy.’
‘Maybe I’m just pleased with our follower numbers.’ I feign innocence. ‘And the report from Merchandising this morning. Our sales have quadrupled in the past month.’
‘Uh-huh.’ She looks doubtful. ‘Anyway, Vienna needs you.’
‘Now? I thought she was busy with the photoshoot?’
‘She is, but there’s some kind of problem.’
‘OK.’ I grab my phone, glad to get away.
That was close. I’m making my feelings far too obvious, but hiding them is harder than I expected.
Luckily, most people are too preoccupied to notice.
With three Grands Prix this month, we’ve been so busy I actually considered skipping my own graduation last week, but Vienna insisted I go.
Today’s photoshoot is for another new sponsor, a bespoke men’s tailoring company, because now our racing fortunes are on the rise, we seem to be on a roll. It’s good news for the team, if mildly inconvenient when the sponsor asks to use the factory as a backdrop for their photoshoot concept.
I open the factory door and slip inside.
Usually, it’s dazzlingly bright in here, but right now it’s like stepping into a cave, one where Frank Sinatra is playing in the background.
The main lights are off, but there are two huge spotlights on the floor directed at one of the racing cars in the centre of the room.
Leif and Corey are standing on either side wearing …
Oh my. I feel the hairs rise on the nape of my neck.
Both of them are dressed in three-piece, single-breasted suits, Corey in navy with a matching tie, Leif in a pale grey tweed with a powder-blue tie.
While Corey’s jacket is fastened, so that his hands hang loosely at his sides, Leif’s is open, revealing a matching waistcoat as he poses with a hand in one pocket.
I don’t know much about men’s tailoring, but I know this is how suits are supposed to fit.
They must have been made to measure because there isn’t a dimple or crease in sight.
Everything is seamless and sartorial and … hot.
I take a couple of seconds to cool down.
Since Canada, Leif and I have stolen a few moments together in his ‘office’, but mostly we’ve kept things professional and only seen each other outside of work.
It’s going well, better than I expected.
I feel like I’m living in some kind of parallel universe, one where I’m a person without any issues or hang-ups, doing completely normal things, like hanging out with her new boyfriend, enjoying his company, swimming in his pool, sweating in his sauna, approving (or not) his furniture purchases and constantly thinking about sex.
Leif’s being a complete gentleman about it – the ball is in my court to make the first move. Which I will. Soon, because I want it too. I trust him, only … part of me is still afraid of what might happen, that I might freeze up.
And if things are going to go wrong, I want to enjoy the way they are for a while longer yet.
‘Emika says you need me?’ I murmur to Vienna. She’s standing to one side, watching with a hand pressed to her forehead as a man in dark jeans and a black jacket shouts instructions.
‘Fuck, yes.’ She sounds like a woman at the end of her tether. ‘We need to do something about Leif.’
‘What’s the matter with him?’ I twist my head in his direction. Personally I can’t see anything wrong – he looks incredibly hot.
‘The director wants them to look casually elegant. That isn’t casual.’
‘Oh.’ Now that she mentions it, his expression does look a little …
strained. Angry, in fact, like he’s channelling his Viking forebears and thinking about wrapping his tie around the director’s neck.
The more the man talks, the deeper the furrow between his brows is becoming.
Yep, somebody really needs to step in before there’s actual bloodshed.
‘I’ve tried talking to him, but it’s no use.’ Vienna jerks her thumb. ‘You have a go.’
I jolt. ‘Why me?’
‘Because you’re the one who persuaded him to do social media. Clearly you have a knack.’ Her eyes narrow with a vengeful gleam. ‘Plus I need to tell Corey to stop smirking.’
‘Oh.’ I try not to sound too relieved. ‘OK, I’ll try.’
‘Good. Edward?’ she calls out to the director. ‘Why don’t we take a break?’
Everyone downs tools and heads for the refreshments table set up at the side of the room, while I head in the opposite direction, sidling past a giant silver reflector screen on my way to intercept Leif. He’s still glowering, though his expression softens as he sees me.
‘Are you all right?’ I take the opportunity to inspect his suit at close quarters. The grey tweed really brings out the blue in his eyes and it fits to perfection, defining every contour of his body. I have to fight the urge to reach out and stroke the fabric.
‘I don’t wear suits.’ He flexes his shoulders and the suit flexes with him.
‘You look good. Honestly.’
‘They keep telling me I look tense.’
‘Well …’ I scrunch my mouth up. ‘You do look a little uncomfortable.’
‘Because they also keep telling me to relax.’ His face darkens again. ‘Do you know how not to get somebody to relax? Tell them they look tense.’
‘So ignore them. Ignore this.’ I gesture to the suit, allowing my fingers to brush lightly across the front of his waistcoat. Damn, it’s soft. ‘Think of something else. You told me you feel calm when you’re driving, right? So imagine you’re doing that. In a race suit.’
His expression wavers. ‘I could do that.’
‘Great!’ I sway closer. ‘And for the record, I think you should wear suits more often.’
He looks surprised. ‘Do you think I should keep it?’
‘I wouldn’t object.’ I make an impulsive decision. ‘Maybe you could wear it tonight? Come to my flat and I’ll make us dinner.’ I pause as my hand touches against his, sending a shockwave of electricity through me. ‘Then maybe I could wear something you like too?’
He doesn’t even pause to think. ‘Do you still have what you wore in Monaco?’
‘My black jumpsuit?’
‘Yes.’ His pupils swell. ‘I know I behaved badly that night, but I still thought you were the most gorgeous woman I’d ever seen.’
‘Hey, man.’ Corey interrupts before I can respond. ‘Vienna’s trying to talk them into a more dramatic concept. Then we can both look furious.’
‘It’s fine. I know what to do now.’ Leif flexes his neck from side to side, squares his shoulders, and then slides one hand into a pocket as his eyes take on a far-off expression. He looks instantly more relaxed.
‘I’ll leave you to it.’ I walk slowly backwards, ignoring Corey’s incredulous look.
‘Just remember, you’re on the last lap, you’re feeling completely calm and in control, all you’re thinking about is your car …
’ I cough. ‘And that other detail we mentioned is definitely a go. I’ll text you with timings and … stuff.’
‘OK!’ The director claps his hands. ‘Everybody back into positions. Leif, can you …?’ He stops mid-sentence. There’s one horrible moment when I think he’s about to say something critical, but even I can tell that Leif’s expression is perfect. ‘Um … stay just like that.’
‘What did you say to him?’ Vienna whispers fiercely, as I rejoin her.
‘I told him to imagine he’s in a car,’ I whisper back.
‘Why didn’t I think of that?’ She smacks her head and then lifts her voice. ‘Hey, forget the music. Can somebody rev an engine in here?’
TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT, I tell myself, as I peer into my bathroom mirror and sweep setting powder across my cheekbones. I’m going to seduce Leif.
The only problem is that I’ve never seduced anyone before, never even considered it, so I’m not totally sure what I’m doing, but I’ve made a checklist to help. I’ve bathed and shaved and exfoliated and moisturized and put on my laciest underwear under my jumpsuit, and I think I look pretty good.
I’ve also planned every last detail of the meal. I’ve made a healthy chicken salad, bought an expensive bottle of wine, lit at least a dozen candles and put on some ambient music. Not bad, considering I only left work an hour and a half ago.
I’m actually glad I haven’t had much time to prepare because it’s keeping my nerves at bay.
Most of them anyway. The important thing is that Leif doesn’t guess I’ve never done this before.
I’m not embarrassed by my lack of experience, I just don’t want him to suspect there’s any kind of story behind it.
I don’t want to answer any awkward questions.
Right on time, I hear a knock on the door. There’s something familiar about the pattern – three short raps – but I’m too excited to process what it means.
Which, as it turns out, is a big mistake.
‘Dan?’ I stare at my brother in horror.
‘Whoa.’ He looks me up and down. ‘You look nice. Are you going somewhere?’
I’m horribly aware of my cheeks flooding with colour. ‘I have a date.’
‘No way. That’s great.’
‘I know.’ I try to shoo him away. ‘So you have to go.’
‘You said you wanted me to fix your light fitting.’
‘I do, but not now .’ I put my hands on the door frame, blocking the way as I peer past him into the corridor. There’s no sign of Leif yet, but he could arrive at any minute and the last thing I want is for my big brother to be here when he does.
‘It’ll take me ten minutes, tops.’ Dan’s brow contracts. ‘What’s wrong with me meeting your date anyway?’
‘There’s nothing wrong.’ I toss my hair. ‘But we haven’t been dating for long and I don’t need you acting all protective.’
‘I won’t.’ He picks up his toolbox and barges past me. ‘I won’t do anything to embarrass you, I promise, but I’m here now. I might as well get the job done.’
‘Wait.’ I try to run past him.