In the Spotlight (Max Verstappen - Book Two)

Chapter Four

My mini nap ended up being the perfect pick-me-up, and when we left for the restaurant 45 minutes later I was a ball of energy with Nick, Olivia and Dani wishing they had let me be exhausted as I chatted their ear off about driving the RB18 and my excitement for next season. We were the last at the restaurant and they quickly abandoned me, pushing me towards the table with Max, his dad and Christian as well as his race engineer GP before going to a different table. I giggle as I sit down next to Max, apologising for being late. I smoothed down the purple babydoll style mini dress that I'm wearing as I smile at the rest of the table, crossing one heeled boot over the top of the other as I place my small clutch bag over the back of the chair.

"You didn't want to sit with your team?" Jos asks judgmentally.

I grin and shrug sheepishly, "they didn't want to sit with me...something about being annoying and not shutting up about the car this afternoon." I say as I pick up my menu and let my eyes read down the options.

"Well I for one would love to hear you rave about the car," Christian says and I wink at him.

"I'm sure you would but I think I'm all tapped out now, maybe once I get some food in me! I just hope the car this year is as good." I say my eyes getting stuck on the steak option as I chew on my lip.

"It'll be even better," Christian promises and I nod absentmindedly.

"Anyone drinking wine?" I ask the table and I get a couple of no's before Max pipes up.

"My dad will," he says and Jos' eyes widen.

"Red?" I ask him and he nods quickly before looking back down at the menu. "You can pick, I'm not fussy and it's on Max's card sooo..." I trail off, glancing up and seeing his smirk at the suggestion.

"What are you planning to get?" He asks motioning to the menu, I pause as I look down it again thinking about the options.

"I'm a sucker for steak and chips," I admit, my eyes travelling back to his and seeing his nod of approval.

"Me too," he responds and I smile gently, passing him the wine list which he takes thanking me as I turn to Max.

"What are you thinking?" I ask him and he hums.

"Chicken supreme sounds good," he says unconvincingly and I giggle at him causing him to look up and meet my eyes.

I swallow at the intensity of his stare before asking, "now what do you actually want?" I raise my eyebrows at him and he sighs in defeat.

"The carbonara," he says sadly.

"It's still off-season Max! Hell, I'll even go on a run with you tomorrow if you want to help make the impact minimal?" I offer him and I watch him contemplate the offer, brow furrowing slightly before making a decided nod, smiling gratefully at me.

"Only if you run with me!" He says and I hold out my pinky finger which he looks in shock before his face softens and he links his pinky around mine. I see Christian smirk from across the table and choose to ignore him as Max and I focus on catching up, occasionally including his dad in conversation and the conversation resolves solely around racing and last season, a topic his dad loved as he got to boast Max's dominant record-breaking season, occasionally giving the odd compliment on my performance in the Williams and while it took a few tries, Max, Christian and Helmut managed to get him to admit my performance in France was impressive. The evening was pleasant and many drinks were had as we gossiped about off-season shenanigans of the other drivers and I even let slip that newly single Lando had slid into Olivia's DMs much to Max's amusement although I made him promise not to say anything to Lando because I shouldn't have said anything to Max.