Lando Norris has known Stephania Anderson almost his whole life, but the childhood friends had a rough falling out when she started dating his then teammate. Now four years later, he finds himself back in her life and he has to deal with the feelin...
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25. I Want You Around
The morning drifted by in a soft, quiet way, with Lando and Stephania finding comfort in each other's company. They talked about the things that made them laugh, the memories they shared, and for a while, it felt like they were in their own little world. But soon enough, reality knocked at the door in the form of Stephania's friends, Carla and Mariá.
The girls entered with a burst of energy, their voices filling the apartment as they greeted Stephania with warm hugs. Lando smiled at the sight, but the thought of his work obligations tugged at him.
"I've got to head out," he said, catching Stephania's eye.
''Ouch!'' Carla acted as if she was upset by his actions. Mariá joined in, ''Can't you stay a little longer? We just got here.''
"Work calls, but I'll be back soon. I've got a flight tonight, but I'll swing by to say goodbye before I leave, okay?" Lando explained, with an apologetic smile on his face.
Stephania nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Okay. Thanks for everything this morning, Lando."
"Anytime," he replied, giving her a wink before turning to Carla and Mariá. "You guys take good care of her."
"Always," Carla said with a grin, nudging Stephania playfully. "Have a good day, Lando."
With a final wave, Lando left the apartment, leaving Stephania in the hands of her friends. The apartment felt a little quieter without him, but Carla and Mariá quickly filled the space with their usual chatter.
After a while, Mariá turned to Stephania, concern in her eyes. "Hey, we were thinking... How about we go for a walk? Get some fresh air?"
Stephania hesitated, but the encouraging looks from her friends made her realize they were right. She hadn't left the apartment in weeks, the weight of her depression keeping her isolated. Maybe it was time to take that first step.
"Okay," she agreed, her voice soft but determined. "A walk sounds good."
The three of them headed out, the sun warm against their skin as they made their way to a nearby park. The air was fresh, and the gentle breeze seemed to lift some of the heaviness from Stephania's chest. They walked in comfortable silence for a while, the rustling leaves and distant laughter of children providing a soothing backdrop.
Carla and Mariá kept the conversation light at first, discussing everything from the latest TV shows to the new coffee shop that had opened up nearby. But eventually, the conversation shifted, as they knew it would.
"So, what happened last night after we left?" Mariá asked gently, her tone cautious but curious.
Stephania took a deep breath, her eyes focused on the path ahead. "Well... I did what I promised you. I went to take a shower."
