I pick at my food, as I feel myself getting full. I'm sat across from Nadine as we finish up dinner. Lando had left yesterday, but we had already chatted today. He made a point to make me feel secure, and I was loving it.
"So what happened yesterday at brunch? When the fans came around? You seemed off after that." Nadine chimed, pulling me from thought.
"I don't know, I just got nervous I guess. If people suspected us being together, I don't want to take Lando from his single life." I shrug with a sigh.
"I hate to tell you this Ez, but the boys is absolutely enamored with you." My best friend smiles shaking her head. "It's like he was putting you before everything."
"Really?" I wonder, not knowing how I didn't notice.
"Absolutely." She says, nodding her head forcefully.
"I don't know, I'm just nervous because what if fans see us together then somehow it is posted online and decides he needs to take a step back?" I ask, having been too scared to check social media.
"Has he talked to you today? Was he off or the same?" She muses.
"He was the same, he called me this morning before he went to bed and told me he'd call when he woke up." I shrugged yet again thinking of our conversation and the time difference.
"Well I can tell you it's out there and I bet he's seen it." Nadine remarks as my stomach seems to have dropped. "That's not a bad thing. He knows who he is and he knows that every time he stepped out with you, this could happen." She reassures but I still feel unsteady.
"I mean I guess I just have to see what happens." I say for me and Nadine. I was really glad she was being supportive and I was happy that her and Lando seemed to get on well yesterday. As we wound down for the day, I gathered my things I needed for the next day. Work was going really well and I enjoyed the challenges I faced.
As I laid down, my phone buzzed beside me. I already knew who it was without looking. Lando.
"Hey." I smile, looking down on his smiling face.
"Hello, good morning, good evening." He says as he's sat down eating some fruit.
"Sleep well?" I ask, completely baffled at how he adjusted to the time changes so quickly.
"Yeah, I'm just ready go get back in the car." I hear him sigh. We didn't talk much or his racing. I was happy to see him opening up on that part of his life.
"Me too, I'll be watching." I let him know with a smile.
"Are you an F1 fan?" He asks curiously. I contemplate my answer quickly. I wasn't a fan fan of the sport, but I knew of it.
"Eh, I think I'm a Lando Norris fan." I shrug, throwing my hair over my shoulder jokingly.
"My girl." Lando smirks with a chuckle. I blush slightly at his comment. Lando asks about my day and I tell him about work, what I had for my meal, my workout, even the cat I rescued and returned to her owner.
"Sounds like you've had a busy day." He offers me a smile as I agree. I see him roll his eyes and huff.
"What's wrong? Are you okay?" I ask, concerned.
"Nothing, it's not you. I just got a call from someone." He says waving it off picking up his phone to, what it seems like, type out a message.
"Oh do you need to go?"
"No, no. You're far more important." He assures setting the phone back down and propping me up so I can properly see him. "I'm sorry about the social media, if you've seen it." He sighs.
"I have kind of been avoiding my socials. Nadine told me the three of us were out there." I shrug, letting him know it wasn't a big deal.
"They aren't saying anything bad, I guess I just never asked how you felt about it."
"It's okay." I remind softly, offering a smile.
"How do you feel about it? Cameras, the public eye." He questions, trailing off as if he was afraid of my answer.
"I don't know, I never really thought of it. Honestly when we're together, I feel like I forget you're famous." I say still in disbelief.
"I'm glad you feel that way. I forget who I am sometimes when I'm with you." He confesses looking down, seeming to shy away.
"I don't think they'd bother me though, the cameras." I say assuring him. He lifts his head up to shoot me a smile.
"I'll have to get you to a race soon." He says and I nod my head not hating the idea. "Come to Miami." He says. I'm baffled by his invitation. "You could take time off work, visit your family then come up to watch the race." He say confidently.
"I mean I'd love to see my family. I've only been here for a month." I ponder, thinking if I could swing it. Me and my counterpart/boss, David, had a pretty good working relationship and he was very laid back.
"You work from home 3 days a week anyways." Lando notes in a matter of fact ways.
"I'll have to look at my calendar on my work laptop later and see if I can make it happen." I say, suddenly excited at the opportunity to visit my family.
"Just know if you do come, all of your Miami expenses are paid for, and your flights."
"Lando that is not necessary." I say, shaking my head. I couldn't let him pay for all of those things.
"My treat, I'm inviting you. You could bring Nadine as well. I think some of the quadrant squad are going to be at the Miami race, so you won't be too pressured." Lando explains as I'm taking in all the information.
"Okay, I'll figure some things out and we'll see if I can go." I smile through the phone. Lando and I sit and talk for a while more before he lets me go to bed. As I lay my head down, I think of all the possibilities. I didn't know what was happening or where Lando and I were going but I was happy. Things were turning around and for the first time in forever, I wasn't thinking of my old life and how I missed it.
~~~
Kind of a slow chapter but don't worry, we'll get there. It's all about the build up! Hope you liked this update, thank you for reading and supporting! Please excuse any spelling or grammar errors. Wishing you all a lovely rest of the weekend. I'll be back soon with another update.
All the Best,
Gaby. x
