“What? No. You’re trading off the job right now for a lifestyle you want to live. As long as you’re happy, who cares?”
“I am happy, but I still hope to do digital media at some point.”
“Have you ever thought about creating your own opportunity?” I prompt.
“Like how? Hacking into the family business social media and taking over posting?” Then she pauses. “Hmm, that’s an inspired idea. Kidding!”
I chuckle at that. “No, I wouldn’t recommend that, but what if you started having Maxwell and hisbusiness partnerdo things just for you that you post on your own social media accounts? Or create a new one and feature them on it. You’ll get a crap ton of hits, and you’ll get attention.”
“Oh, Maxwell won’t do that! He hates that stuff.”
“He’d do it for you. You’ve just never asked him to. We both know his partner would. He’s already agreed to do some stuff with me, and he knows you. I’m sure he would do stuff if you asked him. Remember, he was totally game for that hippity-hop race against Maxwell. Get them to do something fun like that.”
To my surprise, a flush of pink colors the tops of Catherine’s cheeks as soon as I bring up Mason. I suddenly remember how she turned pink when Mason talked to her in the garage in Miami.
My reporter senses go off.This is interesting,I think.
“The social media team would murder me if I got Maxwell to do that after he said no to them.”
“I know! You could race Maxwell’s … co-worker!” I say, getting excited by my own idea. “Or do some other kind of challenge with him. That would be amazing.”
“His co-worker is game for anything,” she says, the pink color on her cheekbones deepening a bit.
“Then ask him. Or his best friend,” I say, thinking of Xavier. “He would do it for Maxwell if he asked him.”
A thoughtful expression flickers across her face. “Maybe you’re right, Isla.”
“I know of what I speak,” I say. “I got my opportunity because I created my own content. You should, too.”
“Maybe I should take charge of my destiny,” she says.
“It’s definitely something to think about. You have access to people. You can show them fun and interesting things. I was creating content with just video and my own thoughts. You can do so much more, Catherine.”
She quirks a brow. God, she has amazing brows. I wonder if she uses someone in London as her brow person. I might need to get a name from her because mine will need to be shaped soon.
“Wouldn’t I be stepping into your territory if I did this, though? Don’t you already create that content for your channels and The Downforce Network?”
I shake my head. “No, of course not. There are endless opportunities for content about F1. I think women should support each other in finding those opportunities, don’t you?”
“I see why Maxwell has broken his rules for you,” she says, smiling gently at me.
My stomach flips in excitement from her words. But before I can reply, she frowns.
“It’s just so stupid that you have to keep everything a secret,” she declares, her voice quiet. “Like you two shouldn’t date just because of what you do for a living. People are bound to date where they work. It’s the people you spend the most time with,traveling around the world with this crazy schedule. It makessenseto date someone within the paddock.”
“Not everyone sees it that way,” I say slowly. “People will think I have a conflict of interest. Or that I’m in the field merely to date a driver. Some people will accuse me of hurting other women who want to work in motorsport because I’m with Maxwell. That I’m building this perception that will set others back.”
As I say the words, my stomach churns with a sick feeling. I also have to deal with The Downforce Network and what they would think about my situation—and how I’m keeping it a secret.
I push my coffee cup away. I don’t think I can drink any more right now. And I don’t want to think about the internal war between my rule-following self and my feelings for Caleb.
“I don’t agree with that,” Catherine says firmly. “It’s so bloody stupid. Are there people who would do those things? Of course. But that doesn’t meaneveryonedoes. It’s hard enough to find love, but when you do? Are you supposed to push it aside because other people think it’s wrong? It’s one thing if it’s a boss-employee dynamic and unfair advantages are given. Or if you are privy to information that would help a rival, and you share it. But if it doesn’t fall into that? Who cares? Life is so short. If you find someone you can love, and they love you back? If that’s what you are looking for, shouldn’t you take advantage of it? Isn’t that the most important thing?”
Her words come at a faster clip, and I can tell she’s very passionate about what she’s saying. But suddenly I understand they aren’t spoken just on behalf of me and Caleb.
I think they are also on behalf of herself.
With a jolt, I realize Catherine is talking about unspoken feelings for someone in the Collings Motors garage. Someonewho would be considered a conflict of interest because of where she works and her last name if she were to pursue it.