CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY THREE – LEARNING TO LET LOOSE

With a whoop of laughter, Joan took off, Alessandro hot on her heels. They sped through the course, taking turns recklessly wide and cutting across fairways. Joan was in the lead as they approached a water hazard. She risked a glance back at Alessandro, who was gaining on her. In that split second of distraction, her cart veered dangerously close to the water's edge. "Joan!" Alessandro called out in alarm. With a sharp turn of the wheel, Joan managed to avoid the water, but the maneuver cost her the lead. Alessandro zipped past her, triumph written across his face. Determined not to give up, Joan pushed her cart to its limits. They were neck and neck as the 18th hole came into view. In the final stretch, Joan gave it everything she had, inching ahead just as they crossed the finish line. Breathless and exhilarated, they brought their carts to a stop. For a moment, they just looked at each other, chests heaving. Then, simultaneously, they burst into laughter. Alessandro climbed ou