handkerchief. With Olivia’s help, she tidied her appearance discreetly, not wanting to reveal her crying over Aidan’s close call to anyone aside from her friends.
VIP attendees had clearance to enter the pit road, where the victors parked to accept their prizes. Thankfully, women were allowed in the pit at this event, which meant Beth, Olivia, and Connie could go as well. Instead of walking the half-mile to the pit road, Nathan and Matthew secured golf carts for transportation and the group was chauffeured there.
By the time they arrived, the trophies and checks, consisting of a portion of the drivers’ entry fees and spectator ticket sales, had already been distributed to the top three drivers. Beth was still shaken by the race, but when she spotted Aidan standing beside his Porsche and speaking to the press about his win, all she felt was the sweetness of relief.
Beth was dazzled by the sight of him basking in the celebration of achieving his racing dream. His damp hair matted to his head, the collar of his dusty racing suit was popped in true Aidan fashion, and his sunglasses hung at his mid-chest, hooked onto the V where the zipper stopped.
After answering a reporter’s question, Aidan placed his trophy on the ground and crouched to sign an autograph for a little girl in pigtails who approached him with her father, sheepishly extending a piece of paper and a pencil.
Beth watched Aidan’s exchange with the youngster fondly, noting his gracious smile and the gentle voice he used when he complimented her “very pretty dress” and asked her name so he could personalize the autograph.
As Aidan spoke with the little girl, he maintained eye contact and gave his undivided attention in what Beth could only interpret as genuine interest and kindness. He took his time with her, ignoring all the adults who clamored for his acknowledgement: prominent people in the film and racing industry who, if he was truly concerned with making a good impression, would’ve been his top priority.
For years, Beth’s focus had been on breaking free from her hometown of Clarkson, Oregon and establishing a career, but watching Aidan interact with the young girl brought forth a yearning she’d never felt before: the desire to get married and have a family someday—but not with just anyone—with Aidan specifically. It was because of him the idea now seemed so appealing.
Although Aidan was known as difficult, reckless, and moody in the press, she knew he would make a wonderful father, that he would dote on their children and teach them all about love and living to the fullest with the same passion he exhibited in every aspect of his own life.
As the young girl skipped off with her father, gushing about her “new favorite race car driver,” Aidan was swarmed by more fans. He denied future autograph requests, explaining he made an exception for the child and was here to discuss the race only. His response earned him a few dreamy sighs from the women in the audience.
Beth listened in as Aidan answered questions about his car’s handling during the race and his determination to continue after his near miss in lap twenty-six.
Finally, he discovered her in the crowd, his eyes pegging her like an arrow to a bull’s-eye. He rubbed his hands through his hair, restoring it to the chaotic style she knew and loved on him, and jogged over to her, leaving his trophy in the dirt.
With her friends in tow, Beth soared toward him. They stopped before each other, leaving a proper distance between them. Although they were pretending to be casual acquaintances and nothing more, Aidan didn’t hide the unhurried top-to-bottom scan of her body that left parts of her molten and longing for his touch. He didn’t have to say the words out loud. Beth could tell by his expression that he thought she looked beautiful. She resisted the urge to throw her arms around him and kiss him senseless.
Beside her, Nathan cleared his throat in gentle reminder.
In
VIP attendees had clearance to enter the pit road, where the victors parked to accept their prizes. Thankfully, women were allowed in the pit at this event, which meant Beth, Olivia, and Connie could go as well. Instead of walking the half-mile to the pit road, Nathan and Matthew secured golf carts for transportation and the group was chauffeured there.
By the time they arrived, the trophies and checks, consisting of a portion of the drivers’ entry fees and spectator ticket sales, had already been distributed to the top three drivers. Beth was still shaken by the race, but when she spotted Aidan standing beside his Porsche and speaking to the press about his win, all she felt was the sweetness of relief.
Beth was dazzled by the sight of him basking in the celebration of achieving his racing dream. His damp hair matted to his head, the collar of his dusty racing suit was popped in true Aidan fashion, and his sunglasses hung at his mid-chest, hooked onto the V where the zipper stopped.
After answering a reporter’s question, Aidan placed his trophy on the ground and crouched to sign an autograph for a little girl in pigtails who approached him with her father, sheepishly extending a piece of paper and a pencil.
Beth watched Aidan’s exchange with the youngster fondly, noting his gracious smile and the gentle voice he used when he complimented her “very pretty dress” and asked her name so he could personalize the autograph.
As Aidan spoke with the little girl, he maintained eye contact and gave his undivided attention in what Beth could only interpret as genuine interest and kindness. He took his time with her, ignoring all the adults who clamored for his acknowledgement: prominent people in the film and racing industry who, if he was truly concerned with making a good impression, would’ve been his top priority.
For years, Beth’s focus had been on breaking free from her hometown of Clarkson, Oregon and establishing a career, but watching Aidan interact with the young girl brought forth a yearning she’d never felt before: the desire to get married and have a family someday—but not with just anyone—with Aidan specifically. It was because of him the idea now seemed so appealing.
Although Aidan was known as difficult, reckless, and moody in the press, she knew he would make a wonderful father, that he would dote on their children and teach them all about love and living to the fullest with the same passion he exhibited in every aspect of his own life.
As the young girl skipped off with her father, gushing about her “new favorite race car driver,” Aidan was swarmed by more fans. He denied future autograph requests, explaining he made an exception for the child and was here to discuss the race only. His response earned him a few dreamy sighs from the women in the audience.
Beth listened in as Aidan answered questions about his car’s handling during the race and his determination to continue after his near miss in lap twenty-six.
Finally, he discovered her in the crowd, his eyes pegging her like an arrow to a bull’s-eye. He rubbed his hands through his hair, restoring it to the chaotic style she knew and loved on him, and jogged over to her, leaving his trophy in the dirt.
With her friends in tow, Beth soared toward him. They stopped before each other, leaving a proper distance between them. Although they were pretending to be casual acquaintances and nothing more, Aidan didn’t hide the unhurried top-to-bottom scan of her body that left parts of her molten and longing for his touch. He didn’t have to say the words out loud. Beth could tell by his expression that he thought she looked beautiful. She resisted the urge to throw her arms around him and kiss him senseless.
Beside her, Nathan cleared his throat in gentle reminder.
In
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