Chapter 13
Molly
“You sure there’s not something more between the two of you?”
My dear mother has finally seen her daughter together with a man.
And now that seems to be the only thing worth talking about as we browse the stores for some things she needs for an upcoming wedding she’s planning.
Together with mine and Peter’s of course.
Because she’s convinced there is more between the two of us after seeing us together at the gala.
I guess she’s not entirely wrong.
I desperately want him to open up and give this a chance, but I can’t push him more than I already have.
“I’m sure, Mom,” I tell her for the third time since we started this shopping spree.
I find myself a seat as she looks at all the different picture frames, contemplating which one to choose for the welcome sign.
They all look the same to me, but according to her, every couple needs their own special detailing for their wedding.
Whereas I’ve found my passion in creating montages of sports moments that will stay with the athletes, fans, and people of Formula 1, my mom is dedicating her time to the ceremony of love.
“Your father agrees with me,” she says, which makes my eyes widen slightly.
My dad thinks there’s something between Peter and me?
How that will turn out for Peter will be interesting.
My father’s never been one to try to dictate who I spend my time with, but I’m sure if his leading driver were to date his daughter for real, he would have some thoughts.
“What do you mean?” I ask her, trying to keep my tone casual.
My mom gives me a knowing smile.
“He thought you looked a little more cozy around each other than he expected.”
He may have thought we met for the first time in his office, so I guess us being quite affectionate around each other at the gala would be surprising.
“He’s imagining things,” I say, but my mom doesn’t seem convinced as she holds out a frame toward me.
“You think Peter would like this?”
I shake my head and chuckle at my mom.
She’s nothing but forward.
～
Another race weekend and another win for Audi and Peter.
I haven’t seen him since our lunch date, when he shut down almost a week ago.
As I look at the screen in front of me, I sigh as the team enfolds him.
He genuinely looks so carefree when he’s like this.
His mechanics are surrounding him and patting his back as they congratulate him.
When my dad comes over, I swallow, taking them in as my father wraps Peter in a hug. I’ve never heard Peter say anything about his own family, whilst I feel like he knows mine quite well. Seeing his connection to my dad is making me feel some type of way.
I’ve never had a boyfriend who could truly connect with my dad. Many people find his wealth and status intimidating. But that’s not the case with Peter. He’s got plenty of money and status of his own.
Which means the two men seem to find common footing together in this sport.
Peter is nowhere near being my boyfriend, but my romantic feelings for the man haven’t lessened since our kiss.
The door to the trailer opens, and Steve comes in.
“Centimo is on a roll, isn’t he?” he says, and his tone doesn’t go unnoticed.
I’m sure he’ll continue to remind me just how on a roll Peter is.
“Yeah, seems like it,” I say, and Steve disappears just as quickly.
I turn back to the screens in front of me, resting my head on my hands as I continue looking at Peter.
I have a long evening of editing ahead of me but having the man who sends my heart racing as the main component will make the time fly by.
～
I slip my phone into my pocket before I make my way inside my father’s office. I don’t bother knocking as he’s expecting me for lunch.
What I don’t expect is for Peter to be seated in the chair in front of his desk.
The two men turn to me as I enter the office, making me feel like an intruder.
Intruder or not, seeing Peter in person sends my heart racing.
“Did I get the time wrong?” I ask my father.
“No, I’m just leaving,” Peter says before standing up from the chair and giving my father a handshake.
“Glad we had this talk. I’ll see you, Peter.”
Now, my curiosity about what they’ve just discussed is spiked.
When Peter steps past me, not a smile or touch in sight, I feel the hopefulness being crushed inside me.
Of course they didn’t discuss me.
Why would they?
Peter has made it clear that he doesn’t want the same things as I do.
Meaning, he won’t be speaking to my dad about us either.
I grab his hand before I can think twice about it, and he stops before looking back at me.
“Congratulations on your win,” I tell him, and the moment my words register, a small smile breaks free.
“Thank you.”
Then, his hand is gone from mine as he steps out of the room, leaving me looking at the closed door.
“Shall we eat, Moll doll?” My father’s words break me out of my haze.
I take the seat Peter just vacated and bring out the take-away bags of food, then place them on the table.
“And congratulations to you, too, Dad. Audi is killing it,” I say, pride in my chest as my father gives me a fond smile.
I may have started out sceptical of this whole arrangement, afraid my father’s involvement would change things for me in the paddock, but I’m glad it hasn’t.
Other than the stories of who I really was, which quieted down rather quickly, things have been normal.
Which is what I wanted.
Seeing my father succeed with this team is delightful.
“Thank you. Peter seems very motivated for this championship title, and I’m right there with him.”
It’s still weird to hear my dad speak about Peter so familiarly but seeing them connect is wonderful.
Peter already has a championship title under his belt, but after losing it the season after to Luke, I’m sure he’s eager to reclaim it.
“You know him better than I first thought. Had I known, I probably wouldn’t have asked you to be his fake girlfriend at the gala.”
I roll my eyes at my father.
So listening to me when I told him I didn’t want to that wasn’t an option.
But once he learned that there might be some sizzle between us two, the case changed.
“You’re overreacting. And frankly, I’m a little pissed that you didn’t just listen to me when I said I didn’t want to.”
As for our connection, it feels rather one-sided these days, so my father has nothing to worry about.
“I’m sorry Moll doll. But I do think you two suit each other. Peter seems like a really good guy.”
God.
My Mom wasn’t kidding. He’s just as obsessed with this as her.
Are they really that afraid I’ll end up alone?
I’m young. I’ve got plenty of time to find myself a man.
When I want to.
My previous attempts at dating with Jeremy and Miles weren’t exactly successful.
So I’ll let that rest for a while.
Preferably for when the tension with Peter runs its course.
It must end at some point, right?