Not that innocent

Chapter 3 - sound of rain

After the breakfast conversation with Sarah, Max found himself increasingly drawn to her. They connected remarkably well over time. Working in the paddock during the season, Sarah's path crossed with his frequently, leading to unexpected encounters. Once, Max had intentionally wandered into the Ferrari Garage in hopes of catching a glimpse of her, only to be met by Charles. He then playfully laughed and asked him questionably what he was doing there. That encounter left him feeling slightly embarrassed.
Max often turned to Daniel for insights, given to his closer connection with Sarah. How could he get her number? Yet, asking Daniel directly seemed both risky and awkward. And would likely lead to rumors spreading throughout the paddock, not to mention it felt not right. He needed an alternative approach.
When Max learned from Daniel about a meeting with Seb, Lewis, and Mick in the hospitality area, he saw a glimpse of hope to find Sarah there. Of course he joined the gathering.

Time passed as the drivers discussed their training experiences and gave their feedback about the track. Less interested to Max, he constantly scanned the room, each time someone entered the entrance door. Yet again, he found himself in a situation where he had missed Sarah. This time, he was certain she would be there.
After some more minutes (just in case) he gave up and returned to his driver's room, preparing to leave. Rain poured heavily, and his main goal was to exit the racetrack as quick as possible to be ready for the next day's qualifying. With only a few cars left in the parking lot, he drove past the last ones and spotted a figure holding a folder over their head, foolishly crossing the road. Max hit the brakes, and the person signaled in what appeared to be an apology.

It was her, Sarah, drenched yet smiling broadly. Even though the driver couldn't be seen due to the weather conditions, it felt as if she was smiling just for him. In that moment, Max thought, "Now or never."
He rolled down the window and called out, "Hey, Sarah, what are you doing here?" Startled, Sarah looked at the car and the driver. It was Max. "Oh, hey, Max, I didn't recognize you," she replied before explaining, "Sorry, I didn't see you. I'm just trying to get to my car as quickly as possible."

Max felt the need to help her and drove near by."Come on, hop in, I'll give you a ride to your car." Sarah didn't hesitate. She got into the car, thanked him immediately, and began complaining about the parking situation. Her assigned spot was in the farthest sector, which wouldn't be as that bad if it weren't that stormy. Finally sheltered, she basked in the warmth as Max turned up the heater, placing her hands near the vents. "Feels so good," she sighed.
"If I had known, you had to park so far, I could've given you a lift straight from the hotel this morning," Max remarked to Sarah. "Yeah, my brother suggested that too, but our schedules had different plans". During the drive to her parking spot, Sarah's stomach rumbled loudly. She hadn't eaten since this morning. Max suppressed a laugh, asking if it was the storm making such a noise. Sarah playfully punched his shoulder and replied, "Definitely the storm." „Oh there it is... my car!" She pointed at a black car. Max parked his car right next to the her car door, so she wouldn't t get wet again.

He then turned to Sarah, breaking the silence. "I hadn't eaten since lunchtime. How about joining me for a meal at the hotel?" he asked. Sarah gazed at Max for a few seconds, and in that brief moment, Max's face flushed with warmth, his cheeks felt like they reddened. Time seemed to stretch out endlessly, although in reality, it was just a span of two seconds. Finally, Sarah responded, "Sure, sounds good. Let me change, and we can meet downstairs in the dining hall. Or should I risk knocking on the wrong door again?" she added playfully, referring to their previous accidental encounter. As Sarah's words hung in the air, Max couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. The prospect of spending more time with her felt just right, yet he found himself questioning whether this was just an ordinary Dinner invitation or something more. He nodded in agreement, unable to suppress a smile. "Sounds like a plan. I'll be waiting in the dining hall."
As the two parted ways, Max's mind raced with thoughts. What should he wear? Would the conversation flow as effortlessly as before? And more importantly, was this an opportunity to take their connection to a new level? He changed into a casual yet well-fitted outfit, unusual for Max, each decision made with care.
When Max finally made his way to the dining hall, he found himself facing a doorway that held the promise of possibilities. His heart pounded in rhythm with each step he took. And then, there she was—Sarah, standing by the entrance. Their eyes locked for a brief moment, a subtle acknowledgment passing between them. A mix of nervousness and excitement went through Max, driving him forward.
"Hey," Max greeted her with warmth and genuine delight. "Hey, Max," Sarah responded, a genuine smile gracing her lips. As they walked together to find a table, Max couldn't help but marvel at how life had taken an unexpected turn, weaving their paths together in a way he could never have anticipated. The initial awkwardness melted away, leaving behind a sense of comfort that grew with each passing moment. As the meal progressed, Max found himself hanging on to her every word, caught in the spell of her presence.
As they finished their dinner, the restaurant's ambiance shifted and seemed to draw them closer. Max realized that this wasn't just a lunch—it was a turning point.

A chance encounter had transformed into something deeper, a connection that had blossomed unexpectedly.
As they lingered over their last sips of coffee, Max took a deep breath and asked the question that had been on his mind since their paths first crossed. "Sarah, would you like to do this again sometime?" The question hung in the air, a bridge between uncertainty and possibility. And as Sarah's eyes met his, her smile was all the answer he needed...

Well, well, well, look who we have here," Out of nowhere Sebastian stood next to them. "Here you are, Sarah," he continued, with a touch of playful mockery.. "And it seems you're not alone.
Now I can probably guess why Max mysteriously disappeared earlier," he teased, a playful glint in his eyes.