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“Are the rumors true, then? Are you involved with Boone Rivers’ sister?” Jillian Longwood asks. She’s half of a married couple that manages one of the most popular websites in motorsports. “How will this impact your performance on the track?”
Jake smiles his cocky smile. “I’m one of the best. That won’t ever change. As for those rumors, are we involved? Hell, I married her.” He’s practically swimming in joy, knowing everyone will have heard his answer within minutes.
“You and Boone Rivers have a rivalry going back nearly two years. Do you expect your new marriage to change any of that?” Jillian asks.
Jake’s smile falters, sliding into less friendly territory. “What do you mean?”
Jillian is merely digging, and I don’t blame her, but Jake sees the implication in her question when none was meant.
Boone comes up, putting an arm across Jake’s shoulders. “All it means is I’ll make him work even harder. See you on the track, surfer boy.”
They’re of almost equal height and make for a strange pair. Boone’s dark hair and coal-black eyes sharply contrast with Jake’s lighter features.
Boone messes my hair as he returns to his pit box.
Jake points at Boone’s retreating back. “You heard the man. He’s ready for a graceful loss.” He wipes his chin and briefly meets my eyes before returning his focus to the interview. “In all seriousness, he makes me better, and I hope Boone feels the same about me. I’m privileged to race against him.”
I stay back, listening to the rest and waiting for his approach. Once it’s complete, we walk hand in hand towards the track for the pre-game show.
“You want to make another bet?” he asks me.
“Always.” I shake my head, knowing where this is going.
“If I win today-”
“That’s a mighty big if,” I shoot back.
“If I win today, what do I get?”
“I’ll cook dinner for a week.”
“You can’t cook.”
Honestly, I’m a little offended. “I can follow a recipe.”
“No, you can’t.”
“I can follow the instructions on the back of a box.”
“Sure, we’ll go with that.” His hand slides up my arm and over my shoulders. “If I win….”
I wait for his answer, but it doesn’t come. “If you win, then what?”
Jake cups my chin, leaning in for a kiss. “There’s nothing left to bet over. I have you, and that’s all I ever wanted.”
We kiss, ignoring the amused cheers from nearby onlookers.
As the planes fly overhead, letting us know it’s time for the engines to start, I recall what Jake said about me being a princess who created her kingdom.
That’s only half-correct.
Jake is building it, too.
42-Epilogue
“We’re doing a ribbon-cutting today, sort of,” I say. “Except there’s no ribbon and no building. Mostly, we’re shoveling a few scoops of dirt.”
“The ceremony is a good idea. It helps us remember that some occasions should be acknowledged and celebrated. It often helps when there is family with you,” Mom says.
