“Yeah. So we’ll be running practices, but everyone will get a few days off.”
“Okay.”
Within ten minutes she’d made arrangements. “Okay, that’s done. I’ll alert your father’s private secretary that you’ll be at the family home. If you could give a speech —”
“No. Photographs with him will be enough, won’t they?”
“You don’t want to speak?”
He let out a short laugh. “No. I don’t want to speak.”
Evelyn let out a resigned sigh. “All right. Then photos will do. Now, on to the social media aspect. We can promote this visit home. You can upload photos on Facebook and Twitter, talk about visiting with your parents—”
“Yeah, I don’t really do that.”
“I’ve noticed. For someone with your popularity, your social media accounts are rather threadbare. You could gain a lot more fans if you were more active. I can work with you on that. I’m part of your father’s social media team. I’m very adept at that sort of integration.”
That’s what his sponsors had talked to him about, but hell, he was too busy running his business and racing cars to invest a lot of time in social media. “It’s something I planned to work on. I just haven’t had a lot of extra time.”
“I can help you. Why don’t you give me access to your social media accounts and I can take care of it for you. I promise not to upload anything without you approving it first. I know you’ll be busy and you won’t want to deal with the minutiae.”
“That’s fine.” He gave her passwords to his accounts, then stood. “I’ve got work to do. You get started on that.”
She looked up at him. “Where to now?”
“I’ve got meetings.”
She grabbed her laptop. “Can I come along?”
“It’s mostly boring car stuff.”
“I don’t find it boring at all. I have a lot to learn and I’d really enjoy sitting in, if you don’t mind.”
He shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
*
BY THE END OF THE DAY, EVELYN HAD LEARNED ONE thing—there was a lot more to being a car owner and a driver than just writing the check and getting behind the wheel. There were meetings and phone calls with sponsors and talking to crew. After that came working with engineers and discussions about engines and body design followed by the selection of paint schemes and so many other things her head spun.
Her fingers and shoulders were sore from all the notes she’d made today. It was a good thing she had an above average intelligence and could absorb a lot of what she’d learned in a hurry. Which was what had made her an invaluable asset to Senator Preston’s team, and would serve her well getting up to speed on Gray Preston, owner of and driver for Preston Racing.
She had made her way back to Gray’s trailer while he went to yet another meeting with his crew to discuss some oil pressure problem with Donny’s car. They had gotten deep into mechanical issues, so she decided to take this time to organize her notes and develop a social media plan for him.
She was fully into her outline when she heard a knock at the door. Since this wasn’t her trailer, she debated whether or not to acknowledge the knock, but finally got up and went to the door.
A beautiful young woman was at the door. And she looked decidedly pissed off.
“Gray’s not here. Are you looking for him?”
“Damn straight. Where the hell is he?”
“In a meeting.”
The woman frowned. “Who are you?”
“I’m Evelyn Hill. And you are?”
“Stacie. I’m Donny’s girlfriend.”
“Oh. Would you like to come in?”
“I guess.” She brushed past Evelyn, the scent of something strawberry filling the room as she turned and crossed her arms. “Do you know where Donny is?”
“I’m afraid not. Is there a problem?”
“Yeah, a big one.” She looked around, and Evelyn could tell Stacie was highly upset. She sure was pretty, with long dark hair that spilled down to her waist and the most unusual gray eyes. She was slender, wearing short shorts and a belly-baring tight top that made Evelyn envious since it was very warm outside today.
“Why don’t you have a seat? Would you like something to drink?”
“Is there any pop in the fridge?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll look.” Evelyn went to the refrigerator. “Diet or regular.”
“Regular is fine.” When Evelyn brought a can along with a glass filled with ice, Stacie gave her a once-over. “You’re nice. Not at all like the chicks Gray usually dates.”
“Oh, we’re not dating. I’m working for him.” She wondered what kind of “chicks”
Gray dated. Not that it mattered to her on a personal level, but image was everything in politics. She’d have to do some research into his social life.
“No wonder you’re so nice. And you’re pretty, too.”
Evelyn arched a brow. “Thank you. I assume the women Gray dates are pretty, too.”
Stacie shrugged and poured her soda into the glass. “If you like the trashy pit viper type.”
“Trashy?”
“You know. He has a thing for blondes with huge tits.”
“I see.”
“He doesn’t keep them very long. I think he picks them out just to get laid, and then they’re on their way.”
Well, wasn’t she refreshingly honest. Either that or she liked to gossip. “So, Stacie, do you live around here?”
“I live with Donny, who’s a giant pain in my ass right now. I should have known better than to agree to follow him on the circuit this season. I could have done another semester of school instead of putting up with his shit.”
“School being college?”
Stacie laughed. “Of course. Why, do I look underage?”
“Kind of.”
“That’s funny. I get that a lot, I guess because I’m kind of short and skinny. I’m twenty-two, though. I’ll be twenty-three in a few months.”
“I’m relieved to know that.”
“I like you—Evelyn, is it?”
“Yes.”
“And how old are you, Evelyn?”