Valerie

Part 27

Valerie

The next day I'm sitting on the side of the track, snapping pictures for the free practice sessions.

The last one has ended for the day and I'm on my way back to the garage for our team meeting when my phone pings.

I pull it out of my pocket as Lando walks up next to me.

"Hey Val!" he chimes, pulling me into a side hug.

"Hey, Lan." I smile, returning the hug.

I look at my phone and see an email from Marcus' sister.

I frown and decide to look at it later, putting my phone back into my pocket.

"You good?" Lando asks.

I look up at him and smile. "All good, busy day. Your times looked really good today, well done."

He grins proudly. "Yeah the car feels good this weekend."

We stop outside the Mercedes garage.

"Well, I have a team meeting to get to. I'll see you later." I smile warmly.

"See you, Val." he smiles before continuing on his way to the McLaren garage.

I get through our meetings, my mind constantly on the unread email in my inbox.

I'm about to open it when dad walks over to me.

"​​Hallo Val. Hattest du einen schönen Tag? " he smiles. (Hello Val. Did you have a good day?)

I smile at him. "Es war gut. Ich habe ein paar wirklich gute Aufnahmen gemacht. Ich kann es kaum erwarten, sie zu bearbeiten, damit wir sie hochladen können. Aber heute ist es so warm. Ich fühle mich, als bräuchte ich eines dieser Eisbäder." (It was good. I took some really good shots. I can't wait to edit them so we can get them up. But it's so warm today. I feel like I need one of those ice baths.)

He laughs. "Deine Mutter und ich gehen heute Abend mit Christian und Geri essen. Willst du dich uns anschließen?" (Your mom and I are having dinner with Christian and Geri tonight. Do you want to join us?)

I shake my head. "Nein, ich danke Ihnen. Ich denke, ich werde einfach eine ruhige Nacht verbringen und mich vor dem Rest dieses verrückten Wochenendes entspannen." (No, thank you. I think i'm just going to have a quiet night editing and relaxing before the rest of this crazy weekend.)

He nods. "Genießen Sie es. Wir sehen uns morgen." (Enjoy it. I'll see you tomorrow.)

I smile at him before he turns and walks away.

I grab my things and head out to meet Daniel so he can take me back to the hotel.

When we're back in the hotel room, Daniel is down in the gym and I take a deep breath before pulling my phone out.

"Stop being stupid, it's just an email. Open it." I say to myself, going to my email app.

I click on the email and read through it. The message inside is simple.

"Valerie, We really hope to see you on our special day. We miss you. Love Lena and Bernhard"

My hands shake as I realize what this is. I click on the attachment and a beautiful wedding invitation pops up on my screen, I read through it and then put the phone down, the wedding invitation staring back at me.

I nod to myself and jump when the room door opens.

"Honey, I'm home." Daniel chimes with a grin.

His face falters when he sees my fake smile. "What's wrong?"

I shake my head and shrug. "I... uh... I got an invitation to Marcus' sisters' wedding."

He nods and crosses the room. "Well, that's nice of her. When is it?"

"November."

"Okay... Baby, I'm a little confused, I'm sorry, but what's wrong?"

I look up at him. "I... I don't know. I just." I shrug. "I feel stupid but it feels like an entirely different world."

He nods, crossing the room. "You know no one expects you to do anything you don't want to do, right?"

I nod.

"But you want to go." he says, looking into my eyes.

I nod again. "I have a plus one."

He looks at me, waiting.

"Will you... Will you come with me?" I whisper.

He lets out a small laugh. "I'd follow you to the ends of the earth Val. Of course, I'll go with you."

I smile at him. "Thank you, Danny."

"Anything for you." He whispers before pressing a kiss to my head. "I'm going to have a shower then we can grab some dinner okay?"

"Okay." I smile at him. When he goes into the bathroom I type a reply to Lena, telling her that I'd be there, and asking her if it was ok for me to bring Daniel as the invited plus one.