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“I’m proud of you, Sarah. Making big changes can be scary, I would know,” Maddie says in her comforting voice.
Before coming to work with us, she was fired from her previous job, and Boone didn’t make it easy for her. She proved him wrong like I always knew she would. They were perfect for each other. They’re a great example of how I’m always right about everything. I especially enjoy that part.
“Hey, annoying little sister,” says a much deeper voice on the phone. “Madelyn can’t come to the phone.”
“Boone, bring her back.”
Madelyn’s voice is heard in the background.
“Sorry, I can’t. She’s swamped giving me all her attention.”
I still have questions about my project plan. Also, I will not beg. “Put her back on right now.”
“You had her last night. It’s my turn. See you tomorrow.”
The call ends.
I rub at my temple and ears. There’s not even a good reason to explain my presence in Daytona. I’d promised not to attend a race this year and then packed a bag like always.
I read my new dating profile page, trying to summon the courage to press the submit button.
Do it. Do it. Do it.
The knock at the hotel door saves me from deciding. I practically prance on my way to open it.
Half a veggie sandwich, a fruit cup, and a heaping piece of tiramisu. It’s the perfect dinner, right?
“Jake,” I say flatly and stare. “How did you get here?”
“I walked through the hotel lobby and knocked on the door—the usual way. How’s my Princess?” He strides past me and into the room. “Nice digs.”
“It’s a hotel room, generic like all of them. It’s grown shabby somewhere around the time you arrived.”
“You can stay in my RV.”
“I do not want to do that. At all.”
Jake eyes the bed with a pleased smile. He glances at me and wags his brows before moving to the dresser and the small table. “It’s Saturday night. Are you working right now? You need to talk to your brother about better working conditions.”
The printed documents show all my plans, including tasks and the order of events. My resume is also sitting out. My screen is on, which means my new dating profile is visible.
I step further from it and wave my hand, dismissing the entire thing. “It’s a project. You promised not to quiz me on work business last year; I’ll hold you to that.”
His expression turns serious for once as he goes to sit on the bed. “I’ll keep the promise.”
“You look like you belong at the beach,” I say, wanting to get back on even ground. His sudden presence is throwing me off. He’s wearing board shorts and sandals, and they are not helping. “You should go there instead of racing tomorrow. I hear Australia is wonderful this time of year.”
“Nah, I’ll be busy racing your brother. My finish doesn’t even matter; I mostly want to beat him.” Jake winks. “If you agree to go on a date with me, I won’t do that.”
“If I believed you would keep that promise, I might do it.”
He raises a finger. “Then there’s a chance.”
There’s as much chance of a date as there is for me to take up a race car driving career.
“Why are you here?” I ask.
The door knocks, and he says, “Is that dinner? My stomach is growling.”
