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The lift chimes, and the doors open. Security steps out first, shielding Caleb and Isla from all the fans with phones held up, desperately trying to get a shot of them. We move behind them, and we’re escorted to the ballroom, which is beautifully decorated for tonight’s event, with table rounds draped in white linen, set with silver charger plates, and an arrangement of white hydrangeas in a silver holder in the centre.

As soon as we walk in, we’re offered champagne and the chance to pose on the “black carpet” for the event, which is set up with a backdrop featuring all the big sponsor logos. Our social media team has deployed a camera and an interviewer, and I know clips will be posted on all our platforms before the night is over.

Once again, everything looks perfect. I’m proud of our team for putting together amazing events no matter where we are in the world. It’s not easy to make it look this effortless, but they do.

I decline the offer of champagne and turn to Isla and Mum. “I’m going to escort Caleb to the stage area.”

“Okay. Karina? Would you like to do the black carpet with me? We can get that out of the way and then get a drink and talk to people,” Isla says.

I silently thank her for understanding the situation. She’s going to keep Mum company and keep her occupied.

“Of course. I came to spend time with you, too, this weekend,” Mum says, managing to smile at Isla. “Let’s have some girl time.”

A surge of hope goes through me as they walk away. Maybe tonight won’t be a total disaster after all.

“Why did you tell her that now? Right before the gala?”

I blink. Caleb is looking down at me, his brow furrowed.

My cheeks grow warm. He’s right. That was stupid on my part. “I know, I know, I just … I didn’t want to lie,” I confess.

“I understand, but next time, if you can lie for, oh, twenty-four hours longer, please do that,” he says.

“You’re right. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry for me. She loves my girlfriend. Be sorry for you because she’s going to take a long time to warm up to your boyfriend.”

“Shut up!” I hiss. “He’s not that!”

“Oh?” Caleb makes a face. “Never mind. I don’t need to know if you’re hookup buddies or whatever you’re doing with him.”

Now I laugh. “Come on, let’s go backstage. And I told you, we’re seeing each other.”

“Boyfriend,” he says with a fake cough.

I roll my eyes, and we head around to the back of the ballroom. I see Bethany Rossi, the head of communications, and the guest relations team members, and—

I abruptly stop walking. Because I’ve spotted Mason.

I watch him smiling and talking with the guest relations team. He’s wearing a black tuxedo with a satin shawl collar, a white dress shirt, and a classic black bow tie. The suit fits his lean body to perfection. His hair is tousled with styling product, and when I see him laugh at something, I audibly suck in a breath.

Mason is devastatingly, breathtakingly gorgeous.

“If we keep walking, you can drool on him up close instead of from back here,” Caleb says dryly.

I blink. My face grows warm as I see my brother’s knowing grin.

“Shut up,” I say.

He chuckles, and we move forward to join everyone else. As soon as Mason spots us, his smile evaporates, replaced by a serious expression. His eyes lock on me, drinking me in, and my pulse quickens with each step closer I move to him.

“I believe we’re right on time,” I tell Bethany as we greet everyone.

I step back from the group as they go over the last-minute instructions, but Mason is still staring at me like he wants to pin me up against a wall and kiss the life out of me, and I have to quickly push that thought out of my head before I lose whatever focus I have left.

Finally, the programme is ready to begin, and I watch from the sidelines as both Caleb and Mason are introduced to an adoring crowd. Mason speaks first. He’s naturally charming and at ease, and there’s no denying the magnetic pull he has. Caleb speaks next, and then the mingling begins.

Both men are ushered by Camilla Hernandez, the head of guest relations, to meet some of the biggest sponsors of the evening before dinner. I find myself surrounded by people, and I do what I always do at a gala—I greet people, thank them for their sponsorship, and talk about Collings Motors F1. People get excited to meet a Collings and talk about the legacy, and I always feel so lucky and honoured to do it. This is my family. My heritage. I’m a part of the exciting world of motorsports, and I get to share that with people who are excited to hear about it.