If things progress as my heart hopes they will, my private life and career will be up for dissection.
It will be more than hard.
And when I think of the heat Caleb will take—the media intrusion on his personal life, after everything the tabloids put his family through? It will be hell for him.
But when I think of Caleb and how he looks at me? I refuse to believe that he can’t handle the prying eyes.
I also believe that somehow, there’s a way for me to have my career and Caleb, too.
Chapter Twenty
As my driver pulls up to a line of cars in front of the Emilia Wentworth-Hay boutique, the tingling feeling builds in my stomach. There’s a red carpet out front, and there are fans and paparazzi nearby. More members of the media will be inside. Nobody knows I’m going to be one of the new faces to represent E. Hay, so I’m not sure how interested they will be in getting my picture or talking to me, but that is not what is making me jittery.
It’s “How the hell do I exit this car gracefully while wearing a zebra miniskirt?” that is causing me to have anxiety.
I run my fingers over the elaborate sequin work. This was the outfit I chose from the collection this afternoon because it fit me the best. I’m wearing an exquisite zebra-print sequined mini. It’s smart. Sexy. Elegant. It’s paired with a silky black blouse with long, fluted sleeves, a soft contrast to the skirt, and I have strappy stilettos on my feet.
When I tried on the whole outfit in the boutique, I felt like a model. Or an actress. Anyone who would walk a red carpet. I got a fresh blowout at the hotel salon, and my hair is shiny and wavy. When I applied my makeup, I did a gray smoky eye for nighttime glamour, with a glossy rose-hued lip to balance it out.
I feelbeautiful.
But the one thing I didn’t consider, like an idiot? I’m going to have to find a way to get out of this car and not show Monte Carlo that I’m wearing black panties.
UGH. Why didn’t I think of this? WHY?
I frown. I know why. I was too busy thinking about how I wanted to look hot for Caleb tonight.
The driver finally pulls up to the front of the line, and my door is opened for me. I carefully maneuver out of the car, taking my time and putting my black clutch in a strategic position right at the hem of my skirt just in case.
And I manage to get out without flashing anyone. SUCCESS!
I can hear the click of cameras and feel the flashes on my face.
“Isla! Over here!”
“Isla! Isla!”
I flash a smile and wave as I walk up the red carpet, then I’m ushered inside the boutique. Club music is playing, and I’m immediately asked to stand in front of a backdrop with sponsor logos on it. I pose for pictures, smiling, and a few reporters ask me questions about my role for The Downforce Network and my social media accounts. Then the questions take the turn I had braced myself for.
Questions about Caleb.
“Hi, Isla, I’m Sasha Jones from EntertainmentUK. First, you lookgorgeous. Who are you wearing?” she asks.
“I’m completely dressed in E. Hay by Emilia Wentworth-Hay,” I say, smiling brightly at her.
“Fabulous,” Sasha breathes excitedly. “So you are one of the rising stars at The Downforce Network. How does that feel?”
“Oh, I don’t know about that. I’ve been creating F1 content for a few years now, and I was lucky enough to get some assignments from them during the Miami Grand Prix, andthings took off from there. I’m very fortunate they’ve given me such great opportunities.”
“Including getting a tour of the Collings Motors motorhome from Caleb Collings himself?”
“Caleb was there when I arrived for the motorhome tour, and he offered to show me around,” I say, carefully telling the truth without telling everything.
“He’s not known for giving interviews,” Sasha says. “It’sinterestingCaleb would give one out of the blue to you.”
“I know, right?” I say, flashing her a smile. “I felt very lucky that I was able to speak with him. He trusted me after that, so he showed me his car, and then granted the one-on-one interview.”
Sasha smiles at me, but there’s a shrewd look in her eyes. “Any chance there’s anything more? You two seemed to have chemistry on camera.”