I can't .

~29~

POV Carlos:

Despite the fact that Y/N hadn't mentioned until very last minute that we were having dinner with her father, I have to admit... it's going surprisingly well.

Toto Wolff—team boss, powerhouse, and apparently the unofficial guardian of hell for anyone daring to date his daughter—isn't as terrifying over a plate of food as he is behind the pit wall. Sure, he's gruff, serious, and still gives me that narrowed-eye look now and then, but I can tell that beneath the hard exterior, he's just a father who loves his daughter more than anything.

There's a moment when the conversation lulls, and he glances at me—just long enough to make sure I'm listening.

"I have to admit, Carlos," he says slowly, folding his hands in front of him, "I'm somewhat... pleased with this evening."

I blink, a little surprised by the admission, but I nod. "I feel the same. Thank you for giving me a chance."

Toto leans forward just slightly, his voice a bit softer now. "Be good to her. She deserves to be treated like a princess. She means everything to me—even if I don't always show it."

There's a weight in his words that catches me off guard. I can see how much it costs him to say it out loud, and it makes me respect him even more. I nod, earnestly. "I promise you—I'll do everything I can to make her happy. She won't ever lack anything with me."

He holds my gaze a moment longer and then nods once. A subtle gesture, but somehow, it feels like a door just cracked open between us.

Y/N returns from the restroom just then, her eyes flicking between us, sensing that something shifted. We quickly switch topics, easing back into neutral ground.

"Why is it always about racing with you two?" she teases, sliding into her seat beside me. Her tone is light, but there's that playful glint in her eyes that makes me smile instantly.

I reach for her hand under the table, my thumb tracing slow circles over her skin. "Okay, then. What do you want to talk about?"

She pauses, then perks up like she just remembered something. "Actually... I wanted to call Mom while we're all together. You know—prove that we're trying to act like one big, functional family for once."

Toto lets out a small huff of laughter but doesn't object. He picks up his phone and dials. Within seconds, Susie's voice comes crackling through the speaker.

"Y/N! Toto! Wait, is that Carlos?"

I lean in slightly so she can see me through the screen. "Hi, Mrs. Wolff."

Susie's smile is instant. "So this is the mystery man. I've heard a lot about you, young man."

I glance at Y/N, who's beaming. "All good things, I hope?"

"Mostly," Susie teases. "Will we be seeing you in Vienna anytime soon?"

"If I'm invited, absolutely."

"I'll hold you to that."

The call is warm and short—Susie clearly delighted to see her daughter glowing, Toto doing his best to appear stoic but failing slightly, and me... caught somewhere between nerves and feeling like I might actually belong here.

Eventually, Toto glances at the time and rises from his chair. "I should head back to the hotel."

Y/N gets up and kisses his cheek. "Thanks for coming, Dad. It meant a lot."

He turns to me, extending a hand. "We'll talk again soon."

I shake it, firm and steady. "Looking forward to it."