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CHAPTER 15

TRISTAN

“Did you get it cleared for me?”

Parker nods, taking a drink of his coffee. “The track is at your disposal for the entire day. I’m not sure why you think this will impress Amelia,” he eggs me on. “Or even be a good birthday present.”

“She likes riding the bike, and I have a feeling she will love the speed of the cars.”

“Most women want to be wined and dined,” Parker argues.

“And I’m not saying she doesn’t want that on occasion, but she did something for me no one else has ever been able to do. I want to give her something she’s never been able to do too. I don’t expect you to understand it.”

Parker holds up a hand. “No, I do understand it, I just never expected you to be this invested in her.”

“She’s going to be my wife,” I say it almost as if it’s stupid of him to question me .

“I know, but you have to admit, what’s happening between the two of you wasn’t exactly planned.”

“Doesn’t make it any less real,” I argue.

“Never said it didn’t, my king.”

“Stop.” I give him a look.

A grin is playing against the edges of his mouth. If there’s one thing I know, it’s that Parker and I will always have a great relationship.

“I’m ready to go when you are.” He nods to the watch on his wrist.

“Great, let’s go get Lia.”

AMELIA

“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you,” I can hear the words softly whispered. In this state I’m unsure if I’m having a great dream, or if someone is singing to me. “Lia, wake up.”

Slowly I open my eyes, turning toward the sound of the voice.

“There you are. Happy birthday!”

Someone was singing to me. “Thank you.” I wrap my arms around his neck. “I wasn’t even sure if you’d know.”

“Everything about you is something I know now, Amelia.”

I blush slightly. He knows every single inch of my body, and now he’s getting to know parts of my personality. It’s scary that I’ve given him this much power over me, but there’s no one else I’d rather give this power to.

“I have a surprise for you, but you have to get up so we can celebrate. ”

“A surprise?” I’m always up for surprises. Even as a little kid, they were my favorite. I was all about the cake and the presents. Not just because they were presents and they were given to me, but because I loved opening them. I loved finding out what others thought I would enjoy. The one little act told me just how well other people knew me. At times I’ve been disappointed, and I hope Tris isn’t one who’s going to disappoint me.

“Yeah, why don’t you get up and get dressed. I’ll take you.”

“Where are we going?” I sit up in the bed, pulling the covers tightly around my waist. “How should I dress?”

“Like you’ll be riding on the back of my bike.”

I can feel the smile spread across my face. “Your bike?”

“My bike.”

Now I’m trying to figure out exactly where we’re going. I’ve been on his bike before, and I have no idea how that would be part of my birthday gift. I want to ask another question, but he puts a finger over my lips.

“No more questions. Go get dressed. This is my surprise for you. Like when you took me to the movies. Let me do this for you.”

An hour later, we’re driving along the highway, but we’re going further north than I’ve ever been. I’m looking for something to tell me where we’re going, but I haven’t seen anything yet.

Tristan reaches over, grabbing my thigh. “Are you excited?”

“I’m curious,” I answer carefully, taking a drink of my coffee. “Gifts prove how well you know the person you’re giving the gift. I’m interested to see how well you’ve come to know me.”

He whistles. “I have a feeling I know you better than you think I do.”

I hope so, but I don’t voice the words. I don’t want to scare him. When feelings are involved, the weirdest things can set off fear.

He slows down like he’s preparing to turn, and that’s when I see it.

It’s a racetrack in the middle of nowhere. A car sits at the start/finish line.

“Tristan, what is this?”

“I know how much you love speed. I thought it would be awesome if you could have some of your own.”

My heart races. “I’m gonna get to drive?”

“You’re gonna get to drive.”

I scream loudly, so loudly he plugs his finger into his ear. “This is the best thing ever!”

It feels like forever. Pulling into the parking lot, getting out of the Range Rover and walking to the track takes fifty years. A man is waiting for us.

“Tristan.” He holds his hand out.

“How’s it going, Cecile?” He shakes the older man’s hand.

“Not bad at all. We’re excited to be taking some laps around the track.”

“Amelia,” I introduce myself, holding out my hand to him as well.

“You’re the birthday girl.”

“That’s me. What car do I get to drive?” I ask immediately.

He points to a Porsche. I’ve never driven one of those before, and I’m ready to go. “You’ll be getting a few pointers and you’ll be driving with Tristan. He’s very experienced.”

“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” I grab his hand in mine.

“I’m good at everything,” he winks at me.

I roll my eyes. “Let’s go.” I pull him toward the car.

He helps me get strapped in, and then goes over to the passenger side. “It’s a stick, do you know how to drive one?”

“Yes.” I clap my hands. “It’s the one thing my dad and brother made sure of. I can change a tire too. You know, just in case I didn’t get to fulfill my prophecy as a queen.”

“Sassy today, I like it.”

“You love it,” I correct him.

“That I do.”

When the car is started, I rev the engine, loving the sound. The vibrations move through the seat.

“Don’t go too fast,” Tristan cautions.

But I want to go as fast as I can. I punch in the clutch, hit the gas and take off with tires squealing. It’s something I’ve never done before, and the excitement courses through my body. My hands shake as I grip the steering wheel.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” I yell at him.

I’m not even sure why I’m yelling. It’s not like this is a stock car and it’s loud as we’re going around the track.

“You should see yourself.”

“I wish I could,” I admit. I’ve never felt so free in my life.

“You can.”

Stealing a glance over to where he’s sitting, I see that he’s gotten his cell phone out and is taking either video or a picture of me.

I keep making laps around the track, until there’s almost no gas left in the tank.

“Do you wanna refuel?” he asks .

“No, I want you to drive.”

“Are you sure? This is supposed to be completely about you.”

I reach over, taking his hand in mine. “This is about us. Just like everything else. There’s no more you or me, Tristan. There’s an us. If I’m having fun, I want you to have fun.”

“Twist my arm,” he teases.

We switch seats and I get comfortable watching him. I love seeing him in his element. He grips the steering wheel with sure hands. In this position I do the same thing he did for me. I reach over, grabbing my cell phone, taking pictures of him. I hope my face was as animated as his is.

When we come to a stop, I reach over, grabbing his hand. “Thank you, Tris, for the perfect birthday present.”

“I know you, huh?”

“You know me.”

And that’s the best thing ever.