SO AMERICAN | max verstappen

twentyfour.

I've grown to love the way that Max's hand fit into mine.

The way our hands molded together as they were intertwined was something I found myself thinking about often. I knew full well he was only holding my hand right now because we were out in public, but I long for the day he might decide to hold my hand in private. I want to relish in that moment if it ever comes.

Max and I had fallen asleep on the couch last night, waking up in the wee hours of the morning, bodies tangled together. Upon waking up in a similar position to the one we'd fallen asleep in, Max and I untangled our bodies, mumbled goodnight, and sleepily trudged to our separate bedrooms.

I didn't sleep for the rest of the night.

My mind had been too consumed by everything that the Dutchman made me feel and I wanted to curse myself for it. There was no way he'd ever reciprocate what I felt, so I needed to stop for my own sake. We've hated each other for years, there was no way that he'd fall for me now.

"How come I've lived in Monaco for years and never have come here before?" Max questioned, reaching out to open the door for me.

I shrugged, stepping inside the small café, "I'm not sure, my family comes here all the time on vacation."

Charles said they'd bring Lili back around lunchtime, meaning we had a couple of hours to kill, but we still wanted breakfast to be quick. So, I decided to take Max to my favorite café that I'd go to with my parents growing up.

I gazed at the menu, wondering if it had changed or if I could stick with what I usually ordered, but I was caught off guard when I glanced lower – at who was at the register ordering. A gasp fell from my lips at the sight.

"What?" Max asks, clearly concerned.

With my hand not holding his, I gestured to the register. Ella. "What is she doing here? Why didn't she tell me she was coming to Monaco?" I turned to face Max, "Did you know about her coming?"

He just shook his head, obviously as confused as I was to see my very American friend in a café in Monaco.

Ella turned around seconds later, her face dropping upon seeing me.

"Hey." She awkwardly waved, walking over to where we stood in line, hugging me loosely.

"Ok, not that I'm not happy you're here... but why are you here?" Another gasp leaves my mouth when I noticed the blush on Ella's cheeks and the hickey poking out from underneath the neckline of a shirt that definitely wasn't hers. "Oh my god."

Ella covered her face in embarrassment and Max looked as confused as ever, his gaze bouncing between us.

"Someone tell me what's going on."

I chuckled, patting his cheek. "You're lucky you're cute." My hands then grabbed Ella's, pulling them away from her face. "Did you two make it official or something?"

Ella stole one of her hands back, adjusting the shirt to cover the love marks more. "Or something? I don't know, Lando said he's taking me out tonight. I'm assuming we'll be official after that or the press will have a field day."

"Oh, I'm caught up now." Max said, his eyes wide.

I broke into a fit of laughter with my best friend, pushing her arm playfully. "Tell me next time you come to Monaco! Go have fun with loverboy. But, oh geez, not too much fun – I don't need to be an auntie."

"Ella!" One of the employees called out.

The girl in question scoffed, rolling her eyes playfully as she walked away, going to pick up whatever she'd ordered for her and Lando. "Don't be gross, Ri."