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“Marrying a princess is a risk I’ll happily take,” he says, and we lean in for a quick kiss. He covers his wine glass when the server approaches. “No more for me, thank you.”
Boone and Maddie decided to treat us to an early dinnerafterward. It’s perfect timing, as the restaurant is still half-empty, and it works with our schedules, which require us to fly to Dover early in the morning.
Boone’s disgust changes to curiosity. “Not much of a drinker?”
“Notorious teetotaler coming out with judgment. It’s a family joke. Boone has a strange thing about alcohol,” I say.
“It’s not strange,” Boone blusters. “It’s discipline. Proper hydration is a thing.”
I know that, but Boone’s quick defensiveness is challenging to resist.
“I agree,” Jake chimes in. “There’s a heatwave expected this weekend, and I want to avoid an IV, if possible.”
Jake’s car and suit had issues during one race last season. He insisted on finishing despite his entire crew telling him to stop. He didn’t, somehow managing a top-ten finish and needing to be pulled through the window when it was done. He ended up being taken to the medical center for noticeable dehydration. The crowd went crazy for him then, even though he wasn’t the winner.
Boone’s expression shows no approval, but his dimple almost appears. Almost.
“Speaking of plans,” Jake says.
“What plans?” I ask.
“None. I said that because it makes giving you this look like a classy move on my part.” Jake pulls a folded piece of paper from his jacket’s inside pocket and hands it over. “For you.”
The resort’s name is unfamiliar, but the address is not. “We’re going to Hawaii?”
“There’s a two-week break in the middle of the season, right? We can spare a few days in the middle for a short honeymoon.” Jake points at one of the images. “Surfinglessons.” He chuckles at the lame joke. “You in?”
“For the lessons? Absolutely not, and neither are you. We’ll walk on the beach and stay up late.” I squeal and throw myself at him. It’s perfect timing, and it will only be the two of us somewhere far away. Jake is rarely recognized, and someplace like Hawaii nearly guarantees it won’t happen there either. “I love it so much.”
“A fantasy trip for the princess,” Jake says while putting his arms around me. It’s a little awkward at the table, but we manage.
“Why do you call her that?” Maddie asks. “Princess, I mean. It sounds like there’s a story behind it.”
I bite my tongue because this is a question I’ve asked countless times before and given up on.
Jake winks at me. “I always wanted to be a prince, so this was a nefarious plot on my part.” He pulls me against him. “Serious answer. Look at her. Look at him.” He points at Boone. “These two have a famous name; they were born into royalty. We marry into it. Even more serious answer. How amazing is it for a princess to create her very own kingdom? I’m in awe of her.”
Boone says nothing, and that’s fine because I know he heard it.
∞∞∞
Dover Motorspeedway
“What’s it like to have perfect breasts?”
I open one eye and then the other to gaze up at him. “It’s been a challenge, but I persevere.”
One of my legs lies over his. Jake strokes the ridges down myback and along my hip. It’s our second day of married life, and we ended it by making love.
Our bodies are knit together, both of us blissfully avoiding the rising sun outside.
“My day starts soon,” he says
Casual fans think race days only consist of the race. It would be wonderful if that were true, but it isn’t. The drivers do fan appearances, VIP visits, sponsor visits, team meetings, driver meetings, and so many other events. The race doesn’t start until hours of work are behind them. When it’s all done, they emerge from their car dehydrated and adrenaline-fueled.
I ignore that because it’s important that we stay together, lazily enjoying each other for as long as possible. “Would you consider another wedding?” The question surprises me.
“We can have a dozen more if you want. What brought this on?” Jake asks.
