Chapter 5
LUKE
I can’t believe this, or maybe I can, because it’s happening.
A girl is turning me down.
Even before I’ve made a move.
Jessica Edwards is turning me down, as plain and simple as that.
I watch her sitting there, confident in her chair, and wonder if the feelings stirring inside me are one-sided. It seems that way based on how she’s dismissing me.
But on the other hand, she appears to be affected by me, too.
The slight blush on her cheeks, how she tries to sit up straight in her chair, clearly trying not to be underestimated by me. The way she attempts to hold eye contact, but it becomes too much, and she looks away before fidgeting with her pen and notebook.
That must indicate some nerves, right? I can be flimsy if I get nervous, not usually around women, but more if someone asks an interview question out of line.
Part of me is disappointed that she quickly shuts me out, but another part wants to push harder.
A good fight brings the best reward.
And I feel that Jessica would be an amazing reward. So, I try a different approach.
I want her fire back, and if that means I have to bring out the douche sometimes for her to break out of her shell, so be it. I put on my signature smile and glance lazily down at her.
“If you plan on taking any notes in that book, I would turn it the correct way, princess.” I grab her notebook and turn it the right way toward her, but not before I brush my fingers over hers.
She quickly pulls her arms back, looking like she’s just been shocked by my touch, which makes me smile even wider.
She’s not as unaffected as she wants me to believe.
“If that was all, I have work to do.” She stands up with her chin raised and spins around before walking away, leaving me with a sexy view of her backside and those damn heels.
I chuckle and turn around before someone notices me staring at the new reporter like a creep, then head back to our garage, getting ready for qualifying with a smile.
◆◆◆
When I return to my driver’s room after qualifying, Sebastian, my best friend, calls me. We grew up together, and he’s now living the football dream in Europe.
“Hey man! Congratulations on your pole position.” Sebastian is a great friend and tries to watch as much of my season as possible. The same goes for me and his games. That’s one of the perks of being in televised sports.
“Thanks, bro. It felt good after the trouble we’ve had these last few days.”
Even though we are performing well, the car isn’t as good as I know it can become with more work.
He tells me they have a few training matches, but then he will have some time off. I’m contemplating telling him about Jessica when he calls me out.
“Okay, so I need to know what, or is it maybe a who, is causing you to stare out into thin air?” I may or may not have been zoning out, thinking about her.
“I’ve met someone,” I tell him simply, and he just looks at me, waiting for me to elaborate.
“Well, I basically ran into her cameraman, and she gave me a mouthful about watching where I’m going. Then I sent her roses to apologize, which probably ended up in the garbage.” Sebastian laughs at that before I carry on.
“Then today, she tried to turn me down, but you know I can be a convincing bastard, so I’m thinking about my next move,” I finish as Sebastian chuckles.
“She sounds like quite the woman if she can handle you and put you in your place. Lots of chemistry, I assume?” he asks me, and I tell him about the brush of our fingers and how Jessica almost snapped her shoulder out of its socket to withdraw her hand quickly.
“Sounds like this is going to be interesting.” Sebastian tells me, and I couldn’t agree more.