“I agree. But what happens if you don’t conquer that challenge?”
My smile falls a bit, but I recover quickly. “Honestly, I think I’ll be proud of the outcome no matter what. I’ve accomplished something very few people do—very few women, especially. I don’t like to bring gender into the equation, but I’m not naïve to the fact that being a woman puts a target on my back and raises the stakes.”
“Oh, I don’t know… I feel like the industry is far more accepting today than it used to be.”
“True, but I also know from firsthand experience that some men can’t handle when a woman comes into their territory and owns it better than they do.”
The corner of Tony’s mouth tips up. “Firsthand experience, huh?”
I smirk, but inside I’m squirming. I sincerely hope that my comment doesn’t lead to more questions on the matter. I’ve exercised tremendous control over the years keeping Vinnie’s name out of my mouthin professional settings. The last thing I wanted to do is sound like a scorned ex, which would only impactmenegatively, not him.
“Let’s just say I hope that my work speaks for itself, eliminating any doubt that I belong here just as much as any man.”
When the interview is over, Tony stands from his chair, shaking his head. “I have to say, it’s been a long time since I’ve been impressed by someone in this industry.”
My eyes widen. “Really?”
He nods. “Yes. Dilynne, you’re not only witty and easy to talk to, but you have a fire in you that’s missing from some of these other gearheads. You understand the industry, but don’t lose sight of what got you here in the first place.”
“Which is?”
“A love for cars,” he says, matter-of-factly.
“Honestly, I probably love the cars too much, Tony.”
That makes him laugh. “Nothing wrong with that. I’m excited to see the Porsche, and I do hope that you blow everyone else out of the water at the auction. But like you said, even if you don’t, you should still be extremely proud of what you’ve accomplished in your thirty short years. Which, I hate to break it to you, still makes you a kid in my eyes.” With a wink, he moves to the next set, leaving me grinning to myself.
“Damn. A compliment from Tony Franklin. You must have shown him someextraattention, huh?”
The hair on the back of my neck stands up as I turn around slowly and come face to face with the man I wanted to avoid today more than anything. Sadly, the universe had other plans.
Straightening my spine, I swallow the lump in my throat and narrow my eyes at my ex. “Tony isn’t a man to be persuaded by anything other than know-how and intelligent conversation.”
Vinnie’s eyes dip down to my silk top and then back up. “Well, it definitely wasn’t your cleavage that caught his eye, so what’s your angle now, Dil?”
I take a step closer to him and lower my voice, keeping the bite in my tone, though. “If you’re not careful, my foot might find your ball sack and kick it all the way up to your chest so you can find out if cleavage might work foryou.”
Vinnie tosses his head back with laughter. “I can see you haven’t changed at all.”
I stand up straight again. “Yeah, ditto, Vin.”
He scratches the side of his face as his eyes dance all over my body. “I’ve gotta say, I was surprised to see your name on the list of competitors this year.”
“And why is that?”
“I just figured you’d be smarter than to enter a competition you can’t win. I thought you learned that last time.”
“Well, I can’t be that smart. I dated you for far too long, after all.”
He takes a step closer, leaning down until his lips line up with my ear. I have to fight the urge to push him away because he’s eliciting a nauseating response in my stomach, and I’d hate to vomit on the stage I just dominated.
Vinnie Delatorre makes me feel nothing but regret in this moment, thank God. But I hate the way that I instantly brace myself for what’s coming. It’s not that I think he’ll hurt me physically.
No. Mental warfare was always more Vinnie’s style.
“You look good, Dil.”
“Sorry I can’t say the same to you.”