Caleb folds his arms. “I see.”
“Now you can understand why you giving me the tour means so much to me.” I smile. “And I won’t thank you again, I promise.”
He smiles in return, and then his phone buzzes.
“I’ll let you go,” I say. “Pleasure meeting you. And good luck this weekend.”
Caleb nods. “Likewise, Isla.”
“So you’re wishing me good luck this weekend, too?” I tease.
He laughs now. “I think you speak another language other than french toast.”
“Smartass?”
“You said it, not me.”
I flash him a wicked smile. “Goodbye, Caleb.”
“Goodbye, Isla,” he says.
As soon as I walk away from him, strolling through the paddock with all the F1 crews bustling around, the events of this morning hit me. I got an interview withCaleb Collings. He will barely speak to reporters who have been covering F1 for years and years.
But I’d be a liar if I said that was all that was causing these reactions in me.
It was the way Caleb treated me. Looked at me. Gave me those hints of smiles that turned into full ones.
And the one special smile that caused the crinkles in the corners of his eyes.
I can’t think like this, however. It was atour.That’s it. I mean, I hope I see him again—in a professional capacity. Ideally, as a correspondent for The Downforce Network.
That’s a huge leap, from one motorhome tour to correspondent.
But I’m determined to find a path in F1, and this segment can help. It might not lead me to The Downforce Network, but getting Caleb Collings to speak more than one sentence?
It has to get someone’s attention.
My phone vibrates in my hand, and I flip it over. It’s an unknown number. But when I read the first line of text, I abruptly stop walking.
Because the text I’ve just received is from Caleb.
Chapter Four
I stare down at my screen in shock. Why is Caleb texting me? I just left him a few minutes ago on the steps outside the motorhome. I furrow my brow. I don’t think I left anything behind. I’m meticulous about making sure I have all my belongings before I leave a place.
I tap open the message and read:
Isla, I was thinking. If you want to create some content for your Connectivity Story Share, I could get you a VIP pass for this weekend. I could get you a tour of the garage or get you into my race car if you want. Or I could see if Mason would be game to talk to you. Well, I know Mason would. Just say the word and I’ll have Catherine get you sorted.
I feel as if the air has been knocked from me. Caleb is inviting me into the world of Collings Motors. Behind-the-scenes access to things I could only dream of before today. If I can shoot stuff for my channels here, I’ll get an insane number of views.
And it could be just the thing to show The Downforce Network the type of content I can get.
I text him back:
Caleb, that is so generous of you. I would love to record some stuff in the garage if you can arrange it. Iwould be eternally grateful for the opportunity, and I would owe you one. Thank you so much.
I hit send, save his number as a contact, and continue walking through the paddock, but I can see Caleb is already responding. Within seconds, his reply drops in: