Menton, France
When the first wave of madness had all died down, they had another serious conversation in Menton, next stop down the coast from Monte Carlo, where they’d holed up in a hidden chalet for a week of glorious, private togetherness. In the soft, November, Riviera sunshine, Viv watched the haunted look of her lover’s eyes ebb away, replaced by new warmth.
“You don’t have to give up for my sake,” she said. “I’m willing to give it a go again out there next year. I love this racing scene. The only thing I didn’t love was the thought that it would tear us apart.”
“It’s what I want, Vivienne.”
“But you’re the champ now.”
He held her close. “And I’ve found a new reason to live. Because I love you.” His hands tightened their grip on her upper arms. “I don’t want to endanger this life in any way. And I don’t just mean the danger of driving itself.”
Her heart hammered. He’d said it. And she felt it. Simple and true, like nothing before.
“I love you, too,” she said.
His eyes flashed understanding, and he bent down and kissed her.
“But what will you do?” It was one thing to say it, but could he really give it all up?
“My sponsorship money’s enough to settle for a moment. Wherever you want to be for your new business—as long as it’s not too far from an airport, please. I’ll be back and forth to help Saskia and Jeff get set up. We just have to get this wedding out of the way first.”
“Can you really turn your back on F1?”
“Well, no.” His expression was suddenly serious. “Chad and Bruce are testing new engines and a new driver next year, and I want to help them out—but as a consultant, tactician, decision maker. I have a feeling the team’s going to be—”
“The best yet.” She laughed. “Don’t say it.”
“That’s where you might come in.”
“Me?”
“The driver. He’s a reclusive Finn. He needs help. PR help. And if anyone knows how to coax a driver out of his shell, it’s you.”
Viv smiled and trailed her finger along his fine upper lip, liking the idea of working in the same arena with Adam very much, and liking that he’d asked. “And look where it got you. You’re in my shell now.”
“No place I’d rather be,” Adam said, catching her fingers and leaning in for another kiss.