How Did It End? - Lando Norris

Part 3 - I think I'm falling for you

"Come one, come all

It's happening again"

Lando Norris' POV:

I waited outside Lily's flat, checking my phone for the time. She texted a few minutes ago saying she'd be down shortly. I couldn't help but feel a little nervous about today. Bringing her to watch Flo's race wasn't just another casual outing—it was a family thing. And even though I'd told my family not to make any assumptions, it was hard to shake the feeling that this meant a little more.

The building's door swung open, and Lily stepped out, looking effortlessly elegant. She wore high-waisted jeans, a crisp white blouse, and a tailored jacket that framed her perfectly. Her hair was tied back, and she carried a calm, confident air that I really admired.

I leaned against my car with a grin as she approached. "You look great," I said, taking in the sight of her.

She smiled, a little shyly. "Thanks. Hope I'm not overdressed for a day at the stables."

"Not at all," I replied, opening the passenger door for her. "You're perfect."

The drive to the competition grounds was easy, with a bit of light conversation. We laughed about some of her recent work stories, and I could tell she was trying to keep any nerves in check.

"You know, it's still funny to me that our dads went to college together and we never even knew," Lily said with a chuckle, glancing over at me. "It's like some kind of fate, don't you think?"

"Yeah, who would've thought," I replied with a grin. "All this time, we probably went to a few of the same events as kids without realizing it."

She laughed, shaking her head. "Well, better late than never, I suppose."

When we arrived at the stables, the atmosphere was lively. Flo's event was a big deal—riders from all over had come to compete. I parked the car, and as we got out, I spotted my mum and dad waving us over from the seating area. Oliver and Savannah were nearby, talking amongst themselves. As soon as they saw us, they paused and exchanged knowing looks.

"Lily! Lovely to see you again," Mum said with a warm smile, pulling her in for a hug. "I didn't know you'd be joining us today."

"Lando invited me," Lily replied, smiling brightly. "It's been a while since I've been at a proper horse event, and I couldn't resist."

"Ah, I see," Dad said, shaking Lily's hand. "Your old man's got to be thrilled about this."

"Oh, he never lets me forget them," Lily said with a playful roll of her eyes. "He's always got some new story about the two of you and your antics back in the day."

They shared a laugh over that, and I caught Mum giving me a look—a mix of curiosity and approval. I could see her holding back the barrage of questions she probably wanted to ask, and I appreciated it. We were still figuring things out, after all, and I didn't want Lily to feel pressured.

Flo was prepping her horse near the stables, but when she spotted us, she came over with a bright smile. Her eyes flicked between me and Lily, clearly a little surprised but trying to play it cool.

"Lily, hey! Didn't expect to see you here," Flo said with a grin. "Didn't know you were into horse riding."

Lily's face lit up. "Oh, I used to ride quite a bit when I was younger. It's not quite on your level, but I still have a love for it."

Flo's interest piqued. "That's amazing! Well, you picked the perfect day to come—this event's one of the best. Let me show you around the grounds before my race starts."