Twists and Turns in Monte Carlo: A Formula 1 Affair

{7.3}

Joanne climbed the final steps to her apartment building, the weight of the past few days hanging heavily on her shoulders. 

She went straight from the airport into a therapy session and then had a meeting on her way back to the apartment with Alec. Now she just wants to relax, have a huge glass of wine and hear the newest gossip from her girls.

As she opened the door, she could hear the familiar laughter of her friends echoing through the flat. Fast she threw her yellow duffle bag into her room, its as messy as she left it and striped off.

Her only rule in the apartment, no outside shoes inside the flat. Maybe her English upbringing bore some fruit, as her mother would say. She quickly changed from her suit she had to war two days in a row into basketball shorts and an oversized tee.

She quickly looked around finding her friend sitting on the steps of the fire escape attached to Linas room. The girls are equipped with bottles of wine, glasses and pizza. The soft glow of the city lights surrounding them, the sound of the city in the background. 

Joanne smiled to herself, grateful for the sense of normalcy that awaited her. She climbed the fire escape and squeezed herself into the small space between Mel and Daisy.

"That's exactly what I wanted the whole day," she greeted, reaching for the bottle of wine to pour herself a glass. "What's the occasion?"

"It's Sunday. Its's May. No one is pregnant," Lina replied, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. "Pick one that suits you best." Her purple hair glowing in the evening sun, looking freshly dyed.

Joanne took a deep sip of her wine, feeling the liquid warmth spread through her. She knew she couldn't keep her secret much longer. The truth was itching to come out. "Guys," she began, her voice slightly unsteady, "I think I fucked up."

Her friends exchanged concerned glances. "What do you mean?" Daisy asked, leaning in closer, playing nervously with her gold daisy necklace. 

Joanne took a deep breath. "Okay, promise you won't freak out, but... I've been seeing someone. And it's... intense."

Mel raised an eyebrow smirking suggestive. "Intense how?"

Joanne glanced around at her friends, their faces a mix of curiosity and concern. "He's older. A lot older. And he's... kind of involved with my family. Sort of."

Lina nearly choked on her wine. "Sort of involved with your family? Jo, what the hell does that mean?" She paused a second, remembered Joannes drunken New Years sobbing abut a certain older man.

Joanne laughed, though it was tinged with nervousness. "Okay, you know how my grandfather is a big sponsor for that motorsport team? The one with the ridiculously hot Team Principal?"

Daisy's eyes widened. "So you finally screwed Toto Wolff?"

Joanne narrowed her eyes, glancing at her friends. 

Mel laughing amused giving her a weird thumbs up. Of the four she was definitely the most oversharing with her sex live and always gets excited when someone tells her of their own.

Lina can hold her hand in this regard. Daisy too.

Joanne nodded, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Yep.  And before you say anything, let me tell you, the sex is mind-blowing."

Her friends erupted into a mix of laughter and shocked exclamations.

"Joanne, what the actual fuck? I mean good for you" Mel said, shaking her head in disbelief. "You're fucking Toto Wolff? How did this even happen?"

Joanne shrugged, feeling a bit more at ease now that the secret was out. "It just... happened. We met at a couple of events, there was this insane chemistry, and one thing led to another."

Lina looked skeptical. "And you're okay with this? Sneaking around, having an affair with your grandfather's friend?"

Daisy intervened before Joanne could. "That's makes it sound weird. Like the dude is sixty or something. How old is he anyway."

"Forty-eight," Joanne interjected before draining her glass in one go. 

The girls fell into a stunned silence for a moment, processing the revelation. Then Lina spoke up, her tone softer. "Jo, we just want to make sure you're happy. If he makes you happy and it's consensual, then we support you. Just... be careful, okay?"

Joanne nodded, a wave of relief washing over her. "I know it's complicated, but he makes me feel things I haven't felt in a long time. And it's not just about the sex, though that's definitely a huge part of it."

Mel grinned. "Well, if you're happy, we're happy. Just keep us posted. We want all the juicy details."

"Yeah, about that, he was not so amused that I told you about him."

"Small minded guy", Mel shook her head in disbelieve, "we tell us everything. By the way, did I tell you in on New Years I had the best three some ever. With NFL guy and NFL guy number two."

"Nope", Daisy laughed taking one of Joannes cigarettes, "but please tell me, I had not have sex in such a long time I think I do not know how it works anymore." Joanne lit the cigarette for her.

"You fucked that rugby guy last week. What is a long time for you, huh?" Lina spoke up, outraged.

Mel, Lina and Daisy suddenly got into an argument, whom had less sex than the others and Joanne leaned back watching them amused. All of the sudden, everything got back to normal.

She knew her friends would not judge her. They are like sisters, they love each other, yet sometimes they argue like such. Calmly she lit a cigarette for herself, looking down at the bustling street beneath them. The universe would sort it out, she was sure of that.

"What do you guys think", she interrupted their conversation, "wanna go out?" 

In response, she got three affirmative looks, which meant that problems would be drunk away tonight.