F1 Champion's Perfect Crash: When Love Takes The Final Turn novel Chapter 16

Six years later, I'd made a name for myself in jewelry design.

My pieces were featured in major fashion magazines, and now I was bringing my latest collection back to Shanghai for a charity auction.

Kate was waiting at the airport, crushing me in a bear hug the moment I cleared customs.

"You heartless deserter! Running off to Europe and forgetting your best friend exists!"

I handed her the designer bag I'd brought her. "Says the woman who crashed my Milan apartment for a month last year."

Over lunch at our old favorite spot, Kate finally told me about the aftermath of my departure.

Adrian had stalked her building for weeks after I left, convinced she knew where I was.

It only stopped when she got the police involved and Mrs. Chase had to intervene.

Classic Kate - she'd support me dating the entire F1 grid before letting me consider a second lap with Adrian.

That's what best friends are for.

They'll help you hide a body, but they'll never let you dig up old bones.

Ex-boyfriends, especially the toxic champion ones, belong in life's rearview mirror, permanently out of sight.