Finally, he introduced a film reel we’d created, documenting his racing history with pictures and footage. It was projected on a huge screen behind the main table, and I saw James watching from behind his hands, totally mortified by all the fuss made over him.
Then it happened. Near the end of the footage, it suddenly appeared as if the tape had been chewed up. The screen went blank for a second, to groans and boos from the audience, when suddenly, there was a new film on the screen. It was shaky and a little blurred, but you could make out Blake in the back of a car, looking sweaty and gross from the race, and Suzi deliberately putting her head in his lap before bobbing up and down, then reappearing and wiping her mouth.
The screen went black again, and the room sat in stunned silence. Then, there was a slow clap. I looked around and saw James managing to applaud the two lovebirds on the film with his arm still in a sling, a huge and amused smile on his face.
Mrs. Blake stood quickly, threw her glass of champagne over her husband, shouted at him, threw his drink over him, too, then stormed off. Blake paled as he looked around the room, then ran after her to the sound of laughter and thunderous applause. I looked around because I wanted to see the look on Suzi’s face. I couldn’t find her, but a sudden commotion beside me drew my attention. Suzi was running impressively in her heels, screaming swear words as she charged straight at me.
I managed to react in time, getting out of my chair and stepping deftly to one side. She turned and lunged at me again, but I blocked her arms and my fist cracked her squarely on the jaw, putting her down. It happened so fast, none of the racers standing around, in spite of their lightning reflexes, had time to move.
James was instantly by my side, though.
“What the fuck was that? Are you okay?” he asked. I nodded and let him put his arm around me.
Marc picked Suzi up and carried her away with a couple of other guys helping him when she started to lash out and kick. Valentino didn’t miss a beat, quickly presenting me to the crowd as the “Fantastic Ms. Spence, boxing champion of the world!” to laughter and applause.
Sam laid a comforting hand on my shoulder, while James looked me in the eye.
“I can’t believe you did that.” He grinned with unrestrained delight. “There was no need.”
“Maybe not to you,” I told him.
And, as I stared into his handsome face and his deep blue eyes, I knew I was not going to regret choosing him. I knew I was not going to regret facing my fear of commitment. Then, as he laid a gentle, loving hand on my stomach, I knew we were going to be happy together. All three of us.
***