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“There will be interest. There will be gossip, there will be speculation. The past will once again be dragged into the present. No matter what contract he signs in the future, people will think it has something to do with me. But here’s the thing: F1 is full of gossip and drama. It always will be. I’m proud to be with a man like him, and as long as we conduct ourselves like adults, I really don’t care what anyone else says or thinks because I know how to represent the Collings name.”

“And you think, as a Collings, dating one of the team drivers is representing our name well?” Grandfather counters. “Aren’t you concerned people will think you were hanging around the paddock looking to land a driver?”

Defiant. I’m in that mood now and I run with it. “Honestly? I don’t care what other people think. Because I know how to behave like an adult and so does Mason. He’s more than a good driver. He’s a good man. I’m proud to be with him.”

“What about the competition between Mason and Caleb? You know there will be points where they are in conflict with each other. How do you plan to deal with that?”

This is one of the most valid questions I’ve been asked about dating Mason.

“I know it will happen. It’s not an if, but a when. They’re teammates in a high-pressure, ultra-competitive career. They aren’t going to see eye to eye sometimes on the track. All I know is that I respect them both, and I would hope they respect me enough to know I wouldn’t betray either of their confidences when shared with me.”

Then I see it. Ever so slowly, Grandfather’s mouth begins to pull up. “There is no doubt that you are my granddaughter,” he says, fully smiling at me now.

“I’m sorry?” I’m so lost now.

He chuckles. The man is actually chuckling. “I don’t care that you’re dating Mason,” he tells me. “I know how drivers work. When they are in that car, that’s all they are thinking about. Driving. They aren’t thinking about anything but that. So am I worried Mason is going to date you and suddenly lose focus or forget to drive a car? No. He’s a future world champion, and he’s going to be my driver when he earns that trophy.”

“So … you’re okay with it?” I ask, confused.

“It’s not my choice to be okay with.”

I furrow my brow. “Then why did you ask what the hell I’m doing with Mason?”

“Just to see how you’d respond. If you could handle that pressure. Once again, you’ve proven you’re a Collings. Unflappable. Now, facing the Lights Out crew and photogs will be a different story, but I know you can do it.”

I groan. I kind of managed to forget that my romance with Mason would be a great plotline for the F1 reality show.

Hmm. I might grow to hate the media as much as Caleb does, I think wryly.

“Also, you didn’t dither about your feelings. You like him.”

“I do,” I say. “I really do, Grandfather.”

He exhales. “I can’t say a driver is my first choice for you, but at least he’s on my team. Just know if this whole thing blows up, I’m not cutting him loose. You’re going to have to deal with it.”

“Grandfather. I would never ask that.”

He lifts a brow. “Are you sure? What if you two break up and can’t stand the sight of each other?”

“Well, then I’ll only look at him when necessary,” I tease. “But that’s not going to happen.”

He grins and shakes his head. “Catherine, you never fail to amuse me.”

“How did you feel about Mum leaking this to you?”

Now his face grows serious. “I told her it’s none of her damn business who you date, and considering her track record with my son, she should keep her thoughts to herself. It’s one thing if she wanted to wreck her own marriage. But I’ll be damned if I was going to let her wreck your relationship because she’s embarrassed of the decisions she made. That is her issue to deal with. Not yours.”

He fully supports this. Elliott Collings, one of the legendary owners in F1, doesn’t care that I’m dating his driver.

In fact, he’s looking after me like a doting grandfather.

“Grandfather, I love you so much,” I say, relief taking over. “Thank you for trusting me. For trusting Mason.”

“I love you, too. I knew when I met your grandmother that she was the one, and I was your age. I hope you find the same kind of happiness.”

“Where is Grandmother? Does she know?” I ask.

“Your grandmother is shopping in Zurich today, but she will call you later. She’s very excited about this match. She adores Mason.”