𝐁 𝐑 𝐄 𝐀 𝐓 𝐇 𝐄 [lando norris x oc]

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲-𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐞

Meeting your kind-of-girlfriends's best friends is scary. Lando, despite being a people-person, was nervous to say the least as he sat at the hotel lobby and sipped his sparkling water. Gabi and her friends were going out that night to drink and have fun for their first night there. Lando was upset that he wasn't invited, but he understood where Gabi was coming from--she hadn't seen her friends in weeks and it was a girls night, so he didn't push it. Just cautioned her to drink safely and have fun. 

"They were supposed to be down here ten minutes ago." 

Ah, Lando almost forgot about his best friend who was also anxiously pacing the hotel bar. Max was desperately trying to pretend that he was casual and cool, but Lando could see right through him. Although he wouldn't admit it, Max had been secretly keeping in touch with Gabi's friend Lilly over the past week or two, and was looking forward to actually meeting her tonight. Again, Max would never admit this. 

"They're girls, they're taking their time." Alexia was Max's friend who happened to love the Netherlands, so when Lando extended the invitation to her, she was happy to come on board. Alexia was a digital art designer from Haiti, with long, black hair that was usually braided and decorated with gold cuffs. She was warm and welcoming, and also an artist so Lando assumed that her and Lilly would get on well. Alexia had brought her on-and-off boyfriend Misha from Sussex to join them. He was unemployed and did comedy shows whenever he felt like it. 

Lando wasn't his biggest fan. 

"Chill, Max. They're on their way down." Lando huffed. He wished he could go out with them, at least for an hour or two, but Gabi had insisted he stay home and rest. She claimed she didn't want him to party too much and fuck up practice tomorrow, which Lando agreed upon but that didn't mean he couldn't be a little butt-hurt about missing out on the fun. 

Max nudged his head to the opposite side of the room. "Speak of the devil."

Lando's eyes flicked over to the elevator doors opening and his kind-of-girlfriend walking out of them, Bridget and Lilly tagging next to her. They were all wearing party outfits (shiny tops with skirts or leather pants, Lando wasn't great with women's fashion) and Gabi waved to him and the three shuffled over. He took a moment to admire her--tight leather skirt with a silver disco-ball-like tank top that hung loosely from her chest. Now Lando really regretted not coming with them. 

"Hi," he said, barely getting the words out through his smile. 

Gabi hooked her arms around Bridget and Lilly. "Lando, Bridget and Lilly. Bridget and Lilly, Lando."

He held up a hand as a wave and turned to his friend. "Lilly, Bridget, Gabi, meet Alexia, Misha and Max. Alexia, Misha, and Max, meet Lilly, Bridget and Gabi. Gabi, you already know Max."

"Oh, I remember you." Max teased. 

Gabi smiled sweetly and whispered. "Kill yourself." That seemed to only make Max's grin grow larger. Lando silently urged him to play nice. 

Alexia held her arms out to hung the girls. "Hi guys! You all look gorgeous, so stunning. I'm Alexia!"

They did their introductions, even shaking Misha's hand, and Gabi found her way next to Lando's side as everyone else chatted. "Hi, there."

Lando wrapped a hand around her waist. "Hello. Interesting outfit."

"You like it?" She glanced down at herself. "I thought you would. Too bad you won't be joining us."

Lando clenched his jaw. "Don't rub it in, you look like a human disco-ball anyway." He squeezed her waist tighter and brought his lips closer to her ear. "Meet me in my room when you get back, yeah?"

Gabi smiled, throwing her head back as she laughed. "You'd be so lucky."

The two of them watched the rest of the group chat, noting specifically that Max already had a hand on the small of Lilly's back. Gabi slid her phone out of her purse and positioned it in front of them.

"Please tell me you took a photo of that." Lando groaned.

"Obviously." Gabi rolled her eyes. "This isn't my first rodeo."

Lando nodded in approval before intertwining their hands. "Well, be careful tonight. Please?"

She turned to face him and smiled up. "Mhm! I'll text you. I won't drink much either, so don't worry about that."

"Good." Lando kissed her forehead instinctively. "And let me know if those two..." Lando raised his eyebrows. 

Gabi nodded, shooting him a wink before nudging Bridget with her foot. "Alright, let's get going. I don't want to miss happy hour!"