ALICE Ch 133

It’s probably nothing that Erica’s doing differently; it’s probably just Monaco. Everything seems more glamorous here, somehow. Alice is a little disappointed that not every car is a Lamborghini or an Aston. The way that the water is just packed with white yachts stresses her out; she’s glad that she doesn’t have to drive boats.

Of course, sitting at a tiny café on a narrow, albeit cute street, only reminds Alice of what is waiting for her this weekend.

“I haven’t crashed a car yet. And I don’t want to.” She sips her coffee and shrugs at Erica.

“You believe Monaco is the most likely place for that to happen?”

“My anxiety does. It’s the tightest circuit and of all the races, this is the one with the most eyes on it,” Alice adds. “That’s part of it. I keep thinking if there’s one race you don’t want to mess up, it’s this one.”

Erica nods. “It is easier to enjoy these things as someone who doesn’t have all the pressure. I’m surprised you don’t want my help managing stress,” she says with the words with an ironic little gesture. “Almost as though you have a reason that you can’t.”

“Like what?”

“Like someone waiting for you.”

“I think the team’s made it clear that there’s nothing like that going on,” Alice replies, taking another drink.

Erica sees through her. Alice is no actress.

“What is that look for?” Alice asks, a little grumpily.

“Oh, nothing. How do you feel about the car?”

“I know the team is doing everything possible.”

Erica grins. “So diplomatic.”

“Diplomacy is my middle name.”

“Fair enough. Can you at least give me a candid statement on the record about Diorgasm now that you know what approach they’re taking to this campaign that you’re the face of?”

“Half the face of,” Alice corrects. “It’s interesting. I’m embarrassed, but I can’t say that I mind it. I’m pretty sex-positive. It’s just outside my comfort zone. I don’t mind being openly horny in private. It’s harder with a bunch of strangers and cameras around, knowing that everyone on the internet’s going to comment and total strangers will get weird about my body. Lots of skeleton jokes. Like, I know. It’s definitely weird to have to be horny around Val.”

“She is lovely, isn’t she?”

Alice frowns. Then she narrows her eyes. Erica looks perfectly innocent. She crosses her legs and pulls a piece from her pastry.

“You didn’t,” Alice says.

“What would it be to you?”

“Don’t even.”

Erica laughs. “I’ve never done a private interview with Valeria Flores.”

Alice sighs in relief.

“Or Faye Darcy, for that matter.” Erica chews, smiling at Alice.

“Oh my god. What do I have to do for you to leave them alone?”

“Answer my questions. Although, I suppose you just did,” Erica adds, looking smug.