From the Past - Lando Norris

Seven: Contracts

--Ella's POV--

I loudly sigh as I turn around and Lando is still chasing after me, "I am at work," I tell him for the hundredth time that night, "And why do you care so much about how my date went with Max?" I ask walking away to deliver more drinks. It's a busy night and having him as my shadow was not on my to-do list today.

"The real question is why aren't you telling me?" He says as if he's backed me into a spot but in all honesty, I'm just messing with him. He's supposed to be packing right now cause his flight is tomorrow for his first race of the season. Max and I have been texting a lot and I'm excited to watch the race.

"It was good," I say keeping it short as I walk to the back. He follows me inside and I try to push him out but end up giving up and letting him follow me to grab the napkins. This guy won't give up. He blocks my path as I try to leave and I look up at him with my hand on my hip, "What else do you want to know?" I ask with a slight laugh.

"Everything. My two friends went on a date and I need to know if I have to either beat him up or treat him nicely," He says like it's obvious.

I soften my gaze as he straightens his posture, "It was one of the best first dates I've ever been on no thanks to you. We got burgers and walked around town while talking. He's romantic which is surprising for guys our age," I smile as he backs his head up with a scrunched-up face.

"I can be romantic and he's also like thirty years older than us," he says making me roll my eyes again.

"He's two years older than us and you are a child," I tell him pushing on his chest to get past him. He continues following me until I stop right before I get back to the main floor, "He kissed me and I am hoping he calls again. Don't mess this up for me Norris," I scold as he puts his hands in the air and smirks.

"What kind of kiss? Was he a perfect gentleman or did he kiss you like a man?" He asks leaning on the bar as I walk behind it to refill the holders, "Come on. He looks like he thinks a peck is passionate," He teases as I shake my head.

"It was a simple first-date kiss. It's not like he was trying to sleep with me he isn't some fratboy...oh sorry I don't want to offend your kind," I whisper narrowing my eyes at him. He fakes laughs and rolls off the counter to look to see who he knows in the club, "Are you finally leaving me alone so I can work?" I ask him with hope in my voice.

He shakes his head not saying anything and I look past him when I see Oscar walking over wearing an all-black outfit with a snapback on, "Hey Oz," I greet him as I give him a quick hug. Lando holds his arms open offended cause I greeted him with a less than enthusiastic expression.

"Did you tell her?" He asks Lando as I glance at the two guys.

"Tell me what?" I ask as Oscar rests his arm on my shoulder.

"You are the new official photographer of the McLaren Formula One team," he says with a proud look on his face, "If you accept of course," He adds. I scream and give him a hug as he lifts me a couple of inches off the ground.

"No way. I didn't think I'd actually get hired by McLaren. What does this mean?" I ask looking at the guys. Peter yells my name from the bar and I turn around wishing I didn't have to grab this order. I tell the guys to grab a table and hand them the drink menu before running off. I quickly deliver the drinks to the table by VIP before I get called away by another. I look at the two guys and by the time I can get over to them, another waitress has already gotten their drinks. I lean against their table an hour later with an apologetic look. Oscar isn't here and Lando tells me to sit for a second.

"You'll be traveling with us every race weekend, which is every other week. You'd fly with us, have a hotel room paid for you, and you can make your own schedule for posting outside of those weekends. They want you to leave with the team this weekend for the first race but to come down tomorrow to sign some contracts," Lando quickly explains.

"This is insane. Lando, I don't know how to thank you," I tell him feeling his hand grab mine over the table as he squeezes it.

"I owe you for being a dick and I want you in my life again. You deserve more but this is a good start," he says making my cheeks brighten as my smile softens.

"I should probably tell Angelo that I quit then," I smile looking at him running around the bar since his friends aren't here for him to slack off with. Lando taps my hand as I slowly get up from the booth, "Wish me luck," I smirk as I tap his shoulder passing him. I walk over to Peter and Kelsey walks out from her section to order another round.

"Guess who just got signed by McLaren to be their traveling photographer?" I cheer as the two of them stop what they are doing. They look at me with their mouths agape before freaking out. The three of us start giggling as they tackle me in a hug.

"I'm so proud of you," Kelsey yells squeezing me even tighter, "This is your dream and you get to travel with Lando," Peter says.

"I don't know how much of a plus it is to be traveling with him," I joke as he wiggles his eyebrows.

"Come on...there's something there even if you don't see it," he shrugs as I shake my head at him. Kelsey continues freaking out and asking me all about it when Angelo comes over.

"I don't pay you guys to sit around and talk," He says grabbing olives from the prep tray. I grimace at the way his mustache hangs in his mouth.

"Don't worry about that cause you won't be paying me for much longer. I quit," I tell him and he looks at me with an amused laugh, "I got another job. I need my paycheck at the end of the week"

"You can't just quit," He says as Peter bites his lip and turns around trying to hold his laugh.

I look at my phone and see I have two more hours left, "After this shift...I'm not coming back. I have no more shifts on the schedule. I thought I'd warn you before the end of the week so you can get another hire. There's an endless stack of resumes on your desk...I'd start there," I smile as I grab my tray of drinks and walk away. When I glance back he's standing looking at Peter as he rubs the back of his head.

"Do you want a ride tomorrow?" Lando asks coming up behind me as I stare at the two guys talking.

"I have some things to do before I go over so I'll be fine," I tell him before turning to him, "Thanks though"

"See you later, Wings," He smirks as I smile at the stupid nickname.