I walked into our usual restaurant and no one was there yet.
Weird because I was usually the one who was late to these dinners. Late to pretty much anything.
I sat down and waited for Max and Kelly. It would only be a dinner with the three of us tonight.
It was fine for me - we had to keep these traditions alive.
I waited for about 10 minutes when I received a text from Max, saying they couldn't make it.
"Great" I mumbled as I put my phone back in my pocket. No one really cared about these dinners anymore since Nova left.
And just when I was about to leave, everyone's heads turned to the door.
There was only one person that made everyone's heads turn, including mine.
Nova.
She smiled as she saw me, I was standing up - why was I standing up?
"I am sorry, a few fans wanted to take pictures" she put her hand on my arm and kissed my cheek. "You know how it goes"
"Tha-that's fine" I stuttered.
Why the fuck was I stuttering?
"Did everyone forget about our dinner or something?" She asked as she looked down at the empty table.
"I guess everyone had better things to do" I shrugged.
"Hmm" she mumbled. "That won't happen again"
I knew she was about to leave. We had no reason to stay.
But she didn't leave. She sat down at the table, putting her purse on the ground.
"You're gonna eat standing up?" She laughed, looking up at me.
"Uh-no I'm no-" I sat down quickly.
The traditional dinner I didn't want to go to, turned out to be the best dinner yet.
We ordered food and wine, talked about what happened the other night - when she was completely drunk.
Left out the part where she asked me if I wanted to have sex with her.
"I thought you left for Australia again?" I asked.
"No" she shook her head. "I just took a little trip to Italy with Pipes and Tom"
"Oh" I nodded. That's why Julian wasn't with Piper.
"I wouldn't leave without saying goodbye" she smiled, sipping from her red wine.
She was a red wine kind of girl, switched to rosé when it was extremely hot outside, but never ever drank white wine.
"Wouldn't be the first time" I whispered under my breath but I guess she heard it because she shifted uncomfortable in her seat.
"Why didn't you just stay? Let me explain things?"
She shrugged. "Because I couldn't stay, everything reminded me of you, and her"
Shitty excuse if you ask me.
But I dropped it. I didn't want to start a fight.
"You got a new necklace?" I nodded at the chain hanging around her neck.
I could only see the chain, the rest was tucked away in her shirt.
She immediately nodded. "It's my favorite one"
"Did you brother give it to you?"
She tilted her head. "He told you about what he does?"
"Yes, a long time ago actually"
"Huh" she said as she tapped her fingers against the table. "Quite surprising"
She was lost in thoughts for a moment and I let her. She always liked the silence. Hated people who kept talking and talking just to avoid awkward silences.
It was one of the best dinners in a while, but unfortunately I had to go.
It was late already and I had an early flight to Spain.
We said our goodbyes with hug that lasted too long.
"Promise me you will say goodbye before you leave?" I whispered.
She sighed softly. "I am not leaving"
"You what?" I took a step back.
She wasn't leaving? She was staying here? Staying in Monaco?
"I am staying here" she said. "You don't seem happy?"
I shrugged. I just fucking shrugged. As if I didn't care. As if I couldn't care less that she wasn't going to the other side of the world.
"I see" she nodded. "Have a good race Lando"
She walked away and I couldn't run after her. I just couldn't. There were already people with their phones out and I didn't want to cause a scene.
Not for me - I couldn't care less. They canceled me for everything lately.
Did it for her. Women always have it harder with the media.
She gave me one last glance before she got into her car and drove away.
