Heather would often find herself daydreaming. Life had completely turned upside down in just six short months. A crappy summer job had led her to find the love of her life. Chance was everything she needed and wanted.
His drive and dedication to be a better person spurred her on, too. As he worked to get his business off the ground, she jumped into her masters program with both feet. Though busy, they found ways to support each other as their love brought them closer and closer.
Heather was happy in a way she had never known before. Chance wasn't the only thing that had changed something inside of her. Heather had found a passion for motorsports and someone to share it with.
As much as she supported Chance’s retirement, Heather knew she would miss it. The speed, the adrenaline, the camaraderie. She had grown to love it like she had grown to love him.
Heather was in the middle of finals prep when her phone rang. Laying her flashcards aside, she looked at the number. It was an unknown number from Kentucky. Before the Indy 500, she would always ignore unknown numbers. The race changed that. Acting as Chance’s de facto manager, Heather took every call that came.
“Hello?
“How's my favorite gal doin’?” DJ’s deep voice boomed even through the phone.
A smile came to Heather. It was almost impossible not to smile around DJ. "I'm very well, and how's my favorite car owner?"
“Oh, getting into the holiday spirit."
With a laugh, Heather said, “Funny, you've always struck me as the lump of coal type." Talking with DJ made Heather miss the team. Kiwi and the boys were good people.
"I didn't call just to pass along warm holiday greetings. I've got a job offer for you."
“Now, DJ," Heather shook her head as she spoke. “Chance hasn't changed his mind. As much as he loves racing, he's done behind the wheel."
DJ let out a sigh. “You better learn to listen better if you're gonna be on my team. I said I've got a job offer for you. Heather."
Her eyes shifted around the apartment, waiting for someone to jump out and yell surprise. "What are you talking about?"
"I've had sponsors knocking down my door since the race. I almost followed your boyfriend’s lead and called it quits, but I got a deal that was too good to turn down. It's a full season, not just the 500, and I'm looking for a fuel and tire strategist. You come highly recommended."
Heather still thought she was being punked. “DJ, there have to be more qualified people. I'm not trying to sound ungrateful, but I'm no expert.”
"I'm too old to work with assholes. If next year is my last season, I want to spend it working with people I like. I know you got school, and that's a top priority. We can work around your schedule. Most of the season would be during summer, anyway."
Heather didn't speak. She tried to think of something To say. "DJ, as much as I appreciate—“
“Don't answer me, yet.” He interrupted. “If you answer now, it will definitely be a no. Think about it, that's all I'm asking. You and Chance have a very Merry Christmas. You've got my number."
With that, DJ hung up. Typical. Heather was going to say no, so he hung up before she got the chance. After setting the phone down, she stared out the window. There had been a light dusting of snow the night before, giving the world a clean and peaceful look.
She couldn't wait for Chance to come home. What the hell would he make of this? Heather laughed and shook away any more thoughts on the subject.
"I absolutely think you should take the job." He nodded his head, speaking with an almost fatherly tone.
“You can't be serious," she shot back.
Chance shrugged his shoulders. “Why not?"
Heather didn't even know where to start. For a moment, she stared at Chance, wondering if he would think better if she shot him a look. “Oh, I don't know. I’ve worked a grand total of one race, I'm not smart enough to do all those calculations, I can't take the time off school. Pick any one of those reasons."
Chance pulled a pot of boiling pasta from the stove, dumping it into a strainer in the sink. “Shit." He waved a burning finger in the air. “Okay, first of all, you are definitely smart enough. By race day, you were doing fuel calculations. You get that stuff. Don't say you're not smart enough.
“And DJ said he would work around your schedule. I guarantee they will fly you up to the races on Saturday and have you back Sunday night. There's one, maybe three races before school lets out?"
Heather narrowed her eyes at Chance. "Wait a damn minute."
"What?" He was shifting his eyes all over the room, and she saw it.
"I didn't tell you DJ said that. I didn't tell you he would work around my schedule."
Chance turned back to the sink. “You didn't have to. I assumed he would work around your schedule if he would offer you a job."
She knew that technique. When Chance was trying to bullshit her, he always looked away. He had the worst poker face imaginable. “You knew about this. Didn't you? Chance, look at me. You knew."
He hung his head. "I knew." Chance turned back to Heather, that cocky grin on his face. “He said you came highly recommended, didn't he? Who do you think recommended you?"
Heather's mouth fell open. She tried to scowl at him, but it turned into a smile instead. Her finger was still leveled at his chest. “You. You did this. Chance, you know this is crazy, right?"
“And? Life is crazy. Look, I’m not telling you one way or the other what to do, but I think it’s a good idea and something you should really think about. That’s all I have to say in the matter.”
She stepped forward, connecting the finger to his chest. “You said a minute ago that I should absolutely take the job.”
“Yeah, but that was before you found out I had something to do with it.” He cracked into laughter, pulling Heather into his arms. “You do what you think is best, and I’ll support that decision.”
“You’re a sneaky bastard, Chance.”
“True, very true.” He kissed her forehead. “Ready for dinner?”
Heather nodded.
The table looked far nicer than any meal the two had eaten there, and Heather gave Chance another sideways look. “Is this some sort of celebratory dinner?”
“Something like that.”
“God, you really thought I’d take the job in a heartbeat, didn’t you? Chance, you think you know me so well. I should turn it down just to teach you a lesson.” Heather gave Chance a warm smile, and the look he gave in return warmed her heart. There was something about Chance’s meddling that she loved.
He was looking out for her without telling her what to do. Visions of Rob and his overbearing wannabe alpha male bullshit came into her head, and she thanked God that Chance had come into her life. He was a good man, and he was secure enough to let her be her own woman. That’s why the job offer sat strangely with her.
Heather knew she could make the scheduling work out. The IndyCar season would start halfway through her spring semester, and by then, she could get a jump on her homework. She could even try to sell it as some sort of independent study and get ahead by a credit or two over the summer.
She didn’t want to admit that she was talking herself into the job, but only because she didn’t want to give Chance that satisfaction.
When he pulled the cork from a bottle of red, Heather said, “This is definitely the fanciest I’ve ever seen you, Chance.”
He just smiled and poured the wine into her glass, then his own.
As they ate dinner, Heather couldn’t stop smiling at Chance. Construction on his go-kart track was on schedule and under budget. They could have taken his winnings and sponsorship money and bought a big house and expensive cars, but even if it lasted, what would they gain out of it?
More than anything, Heather was excited for the prospect of taking the go-kart on track for free any time she wanted. Beating whatever time Chance set was her new life’s mission.
The two ate in a contented, happy silence, sipping wine and enjoying a few quiet moments in their hectic life. When Chance cleared his throat, Heather could almost sense something change in the air.
She saw his cheeks go red. “What’s up?”
“Heather, May was something incredible. I’ll never forget it.”
“Neither will I. The race was amazing.”
Chance smiled, but that hard edge was gone. “It wasn’t the race. It was you. I never thought that I could find a woman as amazing as you. The race was great, but everything since then has been because of you.”
“I didn’t do anything.” Her heart sped up. Her mind focused on what Chance was saying.
He nodded. “You did. You changed my life, and I don’t want to lose you.” Chance slid his chair back, stepping to the side of the small table for two. From his back pocket, Chance pulled a small box, and Heather threw her hands over her eyes.
He laughed, and his hand was on hers, pulling her hands away. She squealed, her smile hurting her cheeks.
“Heather Vaughn, would you make me the happiest man in the world and become my co-pilot? My teammate? My wife?”
Heather couldn’t contain her joy. She stood up, forgetting the table completely. When her hips connected with the edge, both wine glasses tipped and nearly toppled. Heather barely noticed. Her vision blurred from tears in her eyes as she pulled Chance to his feet. “Yes. Yes. Yes, Chance.”
After slipping the simple but elegant ring onto her finger, his arms closed around her.
“I love you, Heather.”
“God, I love you so much, Chance,” she said between fits of laughter.
Heather thought back on everything that had happened in that unexpected year. She barely recognized her life. Still on track to get her masters degree, and now? Now she was going to marry the love of her life.
As great as the year had been, Heather knew that the next would be even better than crossing that finish line in first place.