The Affair

After they’d made love that first time so explosively, Va

When reality had finally struck, anxiety came with it.

“Is that really the time?” she’d asked, her gaze landing on a bedside clock. “Oh my God, Va

“They know what we were doing. We’re all adults. Besides, the yacht has been anchored for the past twenty minutes. Most of the guests have probably already gone back to shore.”

She’d blinked in surprise. “Really?”

“Really,” he’d said dryly. “Besides, I told you it doesn’t matter what any of them think, Niki aside. And he’ll be happy.”

She’d fallen back on the bed, bracing herself with her elbows.

“Because you are?” she’d asked hopefully.

He’d pulled her to him again.

“Because I am.”

She glanced at Va

“Who will I sit with at the race?” Emma wondered after Mrs. Denis had bustled back inside.

“Me, I expect.”

She smiled and popped a grape in her mouth. “I thought you’d be away doing important racing things.”

“Anything that isn’t done before the race begins isn’t going to get done period.”

“And what should I wear?”

“I’m wearing what you see,” he said, spreading marmalade on some thick wheat toast.

“So it’s casual? I thought maybe we were supposed to wear our Sunday best and big hats or something.”

“This is the Montand grand prix, not the Kentucky Derby,” he said dryly.

“Right. A prince’s version of casual,” she said, glancing down over him with a smile.

She imagined Cristina was guiding her as she fingered through the clothing she’d inherited. Of all people, Cristina would have known she needed help. Feeling the festive mood of raceday, she settled on a flirty, fresh red halter sundress that fell just above her knees, along with a pair of black sandals. She looked through some of the accessories Dean Shaw’s wife had sent but couldn’t find anything in blue to accessorize in the Montand colors. She settled for a chic black-and-white watch. If she was to judge by Va

“I dressed in the Montand car colors,” she told him with a grin.

His eyes had sparkled before he swooped down and kissed her surprisingly hard, taking away her breath. “You look like luck walking,” he’d said. She blinked when she felt him slide a velvet box into her hand. He just raised his brows expectantly when she gave him a surprised look.

“Oh my God, they’re gorgeous. And perfect! It’s the Montand colors,” she exclaimed when she opened the box and saw the sapphire, diamond, onyx, and ruby bracelet lying there along with a vintage-looking, flower-shaped sapphire ring. Va

“You dressed as if you knew you were getting them,” he said, fastening the clasp.

“I knew no such thing. Oh, it’s so pretty,” she said, twirling her wrist in the sunlight. He reached, immobilizing her hand, and slid the ring onto her finger. Her heart came to a dead stop.

“Thank you,” she whispered feelingly. He smiled. She put her arms around his neck. He pulled and she came off the stairs, fully into his arms. Their kiss left her breathless.

“I thought they would bring me luck,” Va

“For the race?”

He shook his head, his gaze warm on her face. “I bought them the day before you agreed to come to France. It worked. You came.”

Everything from that day struck her as a colorful, exciting, bright blur. Mrs. Denis rode with them to the main grandstand for the race, located on the outskirts of Villefranche-sur-Mer. As they drew closer to the circuit, the crowds of people walking, riding their bikes, and attempting to drive grew thick. Vendors with carts sold everything from sorbet to water to race flags. The atmosphere was electrical, and Emma couldn’t help but be caught up in the excitement. As an event organizer, Va

Mrs. Denis kissed Va

Va

“Sit here,” Estelle Fournier insisted while Va

“Or something does,” Simon agreed with a warm, knowing smile and a glance back at Va

“Do be quiet, Simon,” Estelle snapped coolly. “You’re embarrassing the girl.”

Emma was more embarrassed for Estelle’s sharp tongue than she was for anything Simon had said. She was glad when three or four others joined the group in the box, distracting her from the Fourniers’ marital discord. Va

“Feeling lucky, Van?” Simon asked briskly.

“Very,” Va

“I don’t think I ever heard how you two met,” Estelle said, sipping her drink.

“Emma is a nurse. She cared for Cristina,” Va

“You want to be down there, don’t you?” Estelle asked, studying Va

“Down there?” Emma asked, confused.

“Leading Niki’s team. In the pits,” Estelle said.

She turned to Va