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last half-mile. In the closing seconds, he stole a pass on Rafael O’Bryan. His teammate wouldn’t appreciate it, but Eli needed every point he could get.
    â€œSixth!” Kevin yelled as Eli swept past the checkered flag right behind Kent Grosso. “Great drive, man.”
    Eli felt no resentment toward the five drivers who’d beaten him. Hell, no. After the past few weeks, sixth place was a miracle.
    He loosened his grip on the steering wheel a fraction as he headed all the way around the track to his frontstretch pit stall. As he puttered down pit road, he saw the Rev Energy Drinks sign waving; he pulled in.
    Eli dropped his safety net and climbed out through the window opening.
    Kevin grabbed him for a man-hug. “Congratulations, you were on fire out there.”
    â€œThanks.” Eli accepted the handshakes and pats on the back of his over-the-wall team, and thanked them individually for their contribution to today’s result. His legs, still shaky after the grueling drive, were rapidly regaining their steadiness. He climbed over the wall, heading for Quinn and Gil—big smiles on both their faces—and Jen.
    With her face alight with excitement, her eyes bright, her cheeks pink, she looked prettier than he remembered. It seemed as natural as breathing to kiss her. Then Eli remembered. Out of bounds. My ex- girlfriend.
    He halted in his tracks, shocked at how cheated he felt.
    â€œ That was more like it,” Gil said with satisfaction as he pumped Eli’s hand.
    â€œYou had true star quality out there,” Quinn added. Eli couldn’t remember the guy ever saying anything so effusive. He tried to savor the moment, but a metallic taste in his mouth distracted him.
    â€œEnjoy your first NASCAR race?” he asked Jen.
    â€œIncredible.” The word was a breath, a whisper that riffed across his senses.
    â€œEnjoy?” Quinn’s hoot was teasing, but friendly. “She went nuts, yelled her head off.”
    â€œHer enthusiasm made the race more fun for all of us,” Gil said indulgently.
    â€œI admit, it was spectacular.” Jen’s cheeks turned pinker and she said with reluctant honesty, “ You were spectacular.”
    Damn, Eli wondered if he could have got away with kissing her after all. Then she dropped her gaze and he reminded himself it didn’t matter. Their arrangement had always been temporary. There would be other girls. Women he could kiss without it being a big damn deal.
    He turned his back on her. “I owe Kevin and the guys a drink,” he told Gil. “They did a great job with that car.”
    Gil chuckled. “I don’t let you blame the team when something goes wrong, so you’re allowed to take the credit when it all pans out.”
    Eli wanted to ask, Does this mean you won’t fire me?
    â€œThere’s one other person who deserves some kudos,” Gil said. “Seems young Jennifer played a big part in keeping you calm.”
    â€œI was listening in on your frequency. I’ve never heard you so quiet during a race,” Quinn agreed.
    Eli was a favorite of the fans who hired headsets to listen to the driver-crew chief communications because he talked more—a lot more—during the race than many other drivers. Kevin and Gil often suggested that if he shut up he might drive faster.
    Had he been quieter today? Yeah. But not because Jen had magical calming properties. Because he’d been brooding about her unreasonable reaction to that kiss.
    â€œI hope we’ll see you in Atlanta,” Gil said to Jen.
    â€œUm…” She cast a beseeching look at Eli.
    Hell, why hadn’t he foreseen this complication? It shouldhave occurred to him his fake girlfriend and his boss would get along like a house on fire—he’d even accused her of being related to Gil!
    â€œJen won’t—can’t make Atlanta.” He stumbled over the words.
    Gil frowned. “Richmond,