Rush: Part One & Two (The Pitstop Series Book 3)

“Valentina Romana,” Adalene Beaumont pulls me from my memory. She never fails to make me grin from ear to ear, even now.

“Madame Beaumont,” I say and hug her tightly. I contacted Mrs. Beaumont a couple of months ago, hoping she would take her old job back, but my efforts were unsuccessful. “How are you?” I ask in my mother tongue because I remember she only speaks French and Spanish. Even though I’m fluent in both, I prefer French.

We fall into a casual conversation, which makes me realize how much I’ve missed her. The delicate woman in front of me was Grandfather’s housekeeper until the day he died, but she was always a part of the family. She taught me about fashion, making my bed, laundry, and just in general how to take care of myself.

“I heard you’re going to dinner tonight,” she states, and I smile shyly.

“Yes, but I’m not too excited,” I admit, and she frowns.

“Why not? Monsieur Biancheri will be there. He is a very polite man. I’ve known him since he was this big.” She holds her hand three feet above the ground, and I half-smile.

“I know, but he will be busy,” I mumble in response. I know Mrs. Beaumont sees right through me, but, luckily, she doesn’t push.Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

“Shall we do your hair and makeup?” Mrs. Beaumont asks sweetly. I stand up and follow her to my closet.

“Thank you, madame.” Before I can get emotional, she shoos me to the bathroom, so I take a shower.

The warm water relieves all the tension in my body. I don’t remember a day I’ve not been sore from training. When I walk into my room again, she has laid out a stunning outfit for me to wear. The top half of the dress is decorated with lace, and the bottom is a simple cream color. There are white wedge heels next to it and some silver jewelry. I put the dress, heels, and accessories on before sitting down in the chair in front of the vanity. Mrs. Beaumont curls my hair, so it falls down my shoulders in waves and draws a simple line of white eyeliner on my lid. She then adds mascara and puts a pink, matte lipstick on my lips. Usually, I would do all of this myself, but she’s told me how much it pleases her to help me. Mrs. Beaumont doesn’t have any children, and this is the only time she gets to dress up her ‘daughter’. It’s a win-win because she likes doing it, and I end up looking incredibly gorgeous, just like today.

“You’ve grown to be a stunning woman, Valentina, inside and out,” she tells me when I admire myself in the mirror. Speaking French with her makes me feel truly at home. I shift my eyes to her face and see a single tear falling down her cheek. “Oh, look at me, getting all emotional.” Mrs. Beaumont laughs slightly. “I should go back home. Early day on Monday, lots to take care of here,” she says with a wink and disappears from my room.

“You are not wearing that,” Adrian snaps when he walks through my door. He put on some white shorts and a cream dress shirt. He looks handsome, but it does bother me that we are matching. How does this always happen? “Three out of the four guys that are coming tonight are single and young, and you are not wearing that.” He shakes his head and, even though I know he is serious, I don’t care what he says. I know those guys too well. Cameron is my friend and not interested in women, Leonard doesn’t like me, and the feeling is mutual; James and I have been friends for years, and Gabriel has a girlfriend.

“Thanks, I agree with you. I do look gorgeous,” I tell Adrian and grab my purse from the dresser. “Plus, you can’t hide my irresistible charm and humor anyway.” He simply shakes his head at my innocent facial expression. “Ready?”