Page 6 of Too Fast To Fall
Arrive by noon tomorrow, Formula One Miami Grand Prix, Miami International Autodrome. Call Isabel from Mega Racing for infoon a parking pass. I’ll send her info in a separate text.
“What the actual fuck?” Piper muttered to herself. Was this real? It was a legitimate question. Things like this didn’t happento Piper. She climbed out of the car, her heart pumping hard, a strange mix of excitement and nervousness coursing throughher veins. Mega Racing? Seriously? Their drivers were Xander Bishop and Emilio Baquero. Would she be working for one of them?Don’t get ahead of yourself.She forced herself to take a cleansing breath. She didn’t know the details yet. She could be dog sitting for some corporatepaper pusher tomorrow. Still, any proximity to the sport she loved? That alone was exciting. “Hey, Dad,” she called. “Youwon’t even believe the job I got for tomorrow.”
“Oh, yeah? A good one?” he replied, standing in the driveway.
Piper tapped out a reply to Nancy.
Got it. I’ll be there. Thank you!
“Yeah, you might say that. Looks like I’m going to the Miami Grand Prix. Sooner rather than later.”
Two
For the second day in a row, Piper was having an out-of-body experience. Yesterday it had been seeing her sister in her weddingdress. Today it was sunglasses on, her favorite Formula One podcast,Not So Fast, on the radio, driving to the Miami Grand Prix. If she had to choose, she’d pick going to an F1 race over a return trip toMoondance Bridal. Even though she wasn’t sure what today had in store, her gut said it was going to be a good day.
As soon as the thought filtered through her head, she spotted flashing red lights in her rearview mirror. Her vision dartedto her speedometer. “Dammit.” She turned down the radio volume. The sirens were blaring.Whoop. Whoop. Whoop.She pulled over to the side of the road and got out her license and registration. She’d done this a few times. She knew theroutine.
She rolled down her window just as the police officer walked up to her car. “Hello, ma’am.” She was petite, with dark hairpulled back, wearing those reflective sunglasses preferred by law enforcement.
Piper handed over her documents. “Hello, Officer.” She smiled. She wanted to be as friendly as possible. She did not wantanother ticket.
“Do you know why I pulled you over today?”
Piper debated whether to be honest or play dumb. She decided to go with the former. “I was pushing the speed limit a little,but I’m worried I’m going to be late for a really special job I have today.”
“What’s the special job?”
“Believe it or not, dog sitting for a Formula One driver.”
“And you thought you’d prepare yourself by pretending to be one?”
Piper laughed quietly and peered up at the officer. “Do you like Formula One? Do you know who Emilio Baquero is? I’m dog sittingfor him.” Piper still couldn’t believe that was the case, but that was exactly what Isabel from Mega Racing had told her.The mere mention of his name made an image pop into her head. Thick, dark hair with the slightest curl. Mysterious chestnut-browneyes. Full lips. Always had some five o’clock shadow threatening. Ridiculously symmetrical features. Honestly, Emilio lookedlike a Disney prince brought to life. He also seemed serious to a fault, which she found both intimidating and intriguing.
The officer slid her glasses down her nose and looked Piper right in the eye. “You aren’t lying to me right now, are you?”
Piper vehemently shook her head. “No. I can show you my texts with my contact at Mega Racing.”
The officer handed Piper her license and registration. “He’s an excellent driver.”
“He is.”
“Unlike you.”
“I promise I’ll keep a better eye on my speed. I’m just nervous and I don’t want to be late.”
“You’d better get going, then. No speeding.”
“No, ma’am. Thank you. Have a good day.” Piper rolled up her window and blew out a relieved breath. “Holy shit. That was close.”She waited for the cop to pull onto the road, then Piper rejoined traffic. Luckily, her navigation still had her arrivingon time. “Ironically, if I hadn’t been speeding in the first place, I would be late.”
Piper followed the detailed instructions given to her by Isabel. After being stuck in traffic for the last mile of her drive,Piper entered the VIP parking lot. She’d never been a VIPanythingin her life. That wish she’d made yesterday? For her life to open up just a little? She felt like it was coming true. AndPiper could hardly contain her excitement.
She locked her car and texted Isabel.
I’m here.
Her heart started racing so fast she felt lightheaded.
Great. Meet you at the swipe gates. I’ll be right there.
