Exes

Chapter 12

It's late January and time to start a new year of racing. Carlos meets Rupert in Italy to start preseason training. Kenzie arrives just after her birthday. Lando has told Carlos what happened with Daniel and Carlos is going to take advantage of his mistake. Carlos has set up a surprise dinner for her. He's picking her up from the airport and bringing her back to his place. Rupert and Caco helped Carlos set up his porch with fairy lights and he bought new furniture. It looks nice and cozy. Kenzie likes cozy things.

He's waiting in the airport for her and when he sees her, he feels like a small child on Christmas morning. She's walking quickly to him and when she stands in front of him, he's nervous.

"Hi" Kenzie says.

"Hola." Carlos replies.

They're both nervous. Carlos takes Kenzie's bags and they walk to his car. A few people stop him for an autograph, but they get out quickly enough. They talk about their holiday and her birthday on the way back to his apartment. Carlos can't help but think about his porch, decorated in everything Kenzie loves. He's gone through a lot of trouble to make it perfect and even if it doesn't have the desired outcome, he knows she'll love it all the same. As they arrive at his place, he says that they can have dinner out on the porch after she settles in and gets comfortable.

Half an hour later, showered and changed, Kenzie walks downstairs. She walks into the living room and Carlos is sitting on the couch watching something on his phone. "Ah, feel better?" She nods.

"Good. Ready for dinner? I made your favorite Spanish dish." He looks pleased with himself.

"Really? I'm impressed." She smirks.

Carlos gets up putting a hand on her back to guide her outside. Just before they walk out Carlos puts his hands over her eyes. "I have a surprise, if you'll let me."

"Of course. Just don't let me fall." She replies.

"Never." Carlos whispers. He's close to her neck and she shivers feeling his hot breath in contrast to the cool air coming from the opened door.

They walk outside and Kenzie's senses are heightened because she can't see. She hears everything crunch under her feet, she smells the paella, she feels Carlos' warm hands on her as he guides her around. They don't go far before he stops her.

"Don't move. Keep your eyes shut." He whispers to her and she nods.

She can tell a light has been turned on even with her closed eyes. Carlos is back behind her and his hands are on her waist. "Open your eyes, princesa."

When she does Kenzie is taken back by what she sees. Carlos has transformed his porch and the small garden. It looks absolutely stunning. She turns around to look at him.

"It's, magical!" Kenzie gives Carlos a hug. "Is this all for me?"

Carlos nods. "Go on, look around."

Kenzie takes her time looking. There is so much detail. He's strung twinkle lights in the trees and it looks just like her favorite spot at Disney Springs in Orlando. She's noticed a playlist of her favorite songs playing. Whatever table and chairs were there have been replaced by a couch with blankets and pillows. There is a projector and a sheet draped on the far wall with her favorite movie playing.

Carlos is sat watching her look around and he smiles wide when she gets to his favorite part. Strung along the side he's put pictures of the two of them, in order from date taken. It shows their friendship through the years. Kenzie takes in each photo, reliving each memory. She's so happy, so calm, she feels so loved in this moment, it's overwhelming.