Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Anton

"She hugs the road like she's horny," I say to Sergio, climbing out of the simulator.

Sergio lets out a soft grunt and checks the data he's collected. "We can do better," he says, already distracted by the data, the numbers, the readout.

I chuckle. As far as chief aerodynamicists go, he's the second -best one I've had.

The first best…

Unzipping my racing overalls, I smile at the woman walking toward me, one hand resting on the large curve of her belly, the other holding a tall glass of iced water.

The Australian Grand Prix is always hot. But when you're seven months pregnant and determined to spend all your time in the pit and the garage when you're on maternity leave, even though your husband wants you to relax…

Charlotte stops in front of me, her smile wide, and takes my hand. "Can you please tell your child to stop kicking me," she says, placing my hand on her belly.

Bending down, I toss a grin at Sergio and lower my head down to where my hand rests on her stomach. "Your mama says she loves you very much," I whisper loudly. "And to keep kicking her."

Charlotte fists her hand in my hair, and I wriggle my eyebrows at her. "Oh, you're going to get it, Laurant," she says on a husky laugh.

Straightening, I slide my hands around her waist and draw her closer to me, brushing my lips over hers. "This is a promise, no?"

"You better believe it," she says, brushing her lips over mine in return.

"I'm just…" Sergio clears his throat, "going to…go…do something…with the data… Oh, neither of you are listening anymore, are you?"

I chuckle. "No," I say.

And kiss my wife again.