There's Twice as Many Stars as Usual| L.S

24

Charlotte

Over the past week, I've been swamped with Zoom calls with my publisher, leaving me little time to hang out with Logan, Mick, or any of the other drivers. Today, after the free practices, I'm hoping to finally catch up with them.

I slide out of bed, feeling a bit groggy from the late nights working on edits and drafts. The sunlight filters through the curtains, casting a warm glow in the room. I quickly get dressed in comfortable jeans and a Mercedes team shirt, grabbing my paddock pass and phone before heading down to the Mercedes garage.

The paddock is buzzing with activity as teams prepare for the day ahead. I spot Mick chatting with some of the engineers near the garage entrance and walk over.

"Hey Mick," I greet him with a smile.

"Hey there! Finally done with your publisher calls?" he asks, giving me a knowing look.

"Yeah, for now at least," I reply with a chuckle. "I'm looking forward to spending some time trackside."

Mick nods knowingly. "It's been hectic. The team's been working on a few tweaks after FP1. Want to join us for FP2?"

"Absolutely," I say, falling into step beside him as we walk into the bustling garage.

The rest of the morning flies by in a blur of activity. Mick introduces me to some of the team members, and I catch up with a few familiar faces from other teams as well. As FP2 wraps up, Mick heads off to de rief with the engineers, leaving me to wander through the paddock.

I spot Logan across the paddock, talking with his press officer. He catches sight of me and waves me over. I smile and make my way towards him, eager to finally catch up after what feels like ages.

"Hey Logan," I greet him warmly as I approach.

"Hey Charlotte, good to see you," he replies with a smile. "How's it going? Busy week?"

"Very busy," I admit, nodding. "Lots of calls and edits. But I'm glad to finally have some time to hang out."

As we catch up, Logan glances around the paddock, then turns back to me with a smile. "Hey Charlotte, how about joining us for dinner tonight? A few of the drivers and their girlfriends are getting together at this nice place not far from here. It'd be great to have you there."

I consider his invitation, feeling a rush of gratitude for the chance to unwind with everyone outside the track environment. "That sounds wonderful, Logan," I reply, genuinely touched by the gesture. "I'd love to join. What time and where should I meet you all?"

"We're aiming for around 7 PM," Logan says, checking his phone quickly. "I'll text you the details once we finalize everything. It'll be good to catch up with everyone outside of the usual race weekend chaos."

"I couldn't agree more," I say with a smile. "Looking forward to it."

With plans set, Logan heads off to finalize arrangements with the group while I wander back towards Mick and the Mercedes team, feeling a sense of anticipation for the evening ahead. The prospect of dinner with the drivers and their partners promises a chance to relax and connect with everyone in a more casual setting, away from the pressures of the track.

As I walk back towards Mick and the bustling Mercedes garage, my mind swirls with anticipation for the evening's dinner plans with Logan and the other drivers. The promise of a relaxed evening among friends and their partners feels like a rare treat in the midst of the demanding F1 season.

Mick is deeply engrossed in a conversation with one of the engineers when I approach. He looks up briefly, a furrow forming on his brow as he seems to realize something.

"Hey Mick," I greet him with a smile, noticing his distracted demeanor.

Mick blinks, momentarily caught off guard before he replies, "Hey, Char. Uh, did Logan talk to you about dinner tonight?"

I nod, a slight frown forming as I detect Mick's concern. "Yeah, he mentioned it. Why, what's up?"

Mick sighs, running a hand through his hair. "I meant to ask you earlier, but things got hectic here. Just making sure you're good to go."

Understanding dawns on me as Mick's oversight becomes clear. "No worries, Mick. I'm free tonight. Looking forward to it, actually."

Relief washes over Mick's face. "Great to hear. Sorry about that. I should've checked sooner."

"It's okay, really," I reassure him, patting his arm lightly. "Thanks for thinking of me."

Mick nods gratefully, his attention shifting back to the team's preparations. "Alright, I'll see you later then. We've got a few tweaks to make before qualifying."

As Mick returns to his duties, I head off with a renewed sense of excitement for the evening's plans. The thought of spending time with Logan and the others outside of the intense racing environment brings a smile to my face. Adjusting my focus, I join Mick and the team, ready to contribute and prepare for the day ahead on the track.

I spent the afternoon fully immersed in the dynamic atmosphere of the track, As the final practice session concluded and the sun began its descent over Doha, Mick and I made our way back to the hotel. There was a buzz of excitement in the air as we prepared for the evening ahead—a dinner with fellow drivers and their partners.

Back in our hotel room, I quickly freshened up and changed into an elegant yet comfortable outfit suitable for the occasion. The soft glow of the setting sun filtered through the window as I slipped on a simple dress and paired it with a lightweight jacket, ready to ward off the evening chill. Mick, ever the gentleman, was waiting downstairs, looking sharp in his suit.

Together, we head to the restaurant where the drivers already were sat, I take a seat next to Alex's girlfriend, Lily, greeted me warmly as I took the seat next to her, and Logan settled across from us with Mick beside him. The ambiance at the restaurant was warm and inviting, with soft lighting and pleasant chatter filling the air.

Throughout the evening, conversations flowed effortlessly. We shared stories from the track and laughter over delicious food and drinks. Logan and I exchanged playful glances and subtle remarks, our banter infused with a hint of flirtation that only we seemed to notice amidst the group's lively discussions.

As the night wore on, the bond between us all grew stronger, solidifying the camaraderie that extended beyond the race track. Logan's presence moved to beside me it was comforting, his occasional touches and shared smiles adding to the warmth of the evening. Mick, engaged in conversation across from us, occasionally caught my eye with a knowing look, silently acknowledging the budding connection between Logan and me.

As dessert arrived and the conversation continued to flow, I found myself grateful for this moment of companionship amidst the demanding world of Formula 1. The night was filled with shared laughter, genuine connections, and the excitement of what tomorrow might bring on and off the track.

As we bid farewell to our friends and headed back to the hotel, Logan walked beside me, his presence a comforting presence in the cool night air. Our shared glances and whispered conversations hinted at a growing closeness.