Risking it all (Lando Norris)

Chapter 23

Lando

I was sprawled out on the bed in my hotel room, the sound of the city outside muffled by the thick walls. The room was set up for a relaxing evening: the lights were dimmed, and a few movies I'd been meaning to catch up on were queued up on the TV.

I glanced at the clock on the bedside table and checked my phone for any updates. Lily had said she'd be joining me soon, and I was looking forward to unwinding with her. The tension of the day had been wearing on me, and the idea of a quiet night with her seemed like the perfect way to reset.

The day at the track had been exhausting. The media circus, Olivia's offhand comments, and the constant buzz of activity had left me feeling drained. I was relieved to have this time with Lily to relax and get away from all the pressures, if only for a few hours.

I'd already called room service to order dinner. A mix of our favorite comfort foods—pasta, some fresh salads, and a couple of desserts—was on its way. The thought of sharing a meal with Lily, away from the chaos, was incredibly comforting.

I fluffed the pillows on the bed, adjusting them to make the space as cozy as possible. I wanted this to be a haven where we could escape from the stresses of the day. I also made sure to clear a space on the bedside table for our dinner, hoping that the simple act of enjoying a meal together would be a small but meaningful escape from everything else going on.

As I waited, my mind drifted to Lily. I couldn't help but worry about how she was handling the day. Olivia's comments had been cruel and unnecessary, and though I'd tried to shield Lily from the worst of it, I knew it still stung. I hoped that being together would help alleviate some of that hurt. I wanted her to know that, despite the public spectacle, what we had was real and important to me.

The sound of a knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. I jumped up and opened it to find the room service staff wheeling in our dinner. I tipped them generously, thanking them as they set everything up. The aroma of the food filled the room, adding to the sense of warmth and comfort.

I quickly tidied up a bit more, arranging the food on the table just as the door opened again, and Lily walked in. She looked tired but relieved, and seeing her brought a genuine smile to my face.

"Hey," I greeted her, stepping forward to wrap her in a hug. I pulled her close, feeling the familiar comfort of her presence. "I've missed you today."

Lily's arms wrapped around me, and I could feel her tension begin to ease just a little. "I've missed you too," she murmured into my shoulder.

We broke apart, and I led her to the table where dinner was laid out. "I thought we could do a movie night," I suggested, motioning to the TV. "Just us, some good food, and maybe a few laughs."

She smiled, the warmth in her eyes reflecting how much she needed this. "That sounds perfect," she said, her voice soft.

We settled into the bed, plates of food in hand, and I turned on the TV. We picked a movie we both enjoyed, one of those classic comedies that always managed to lighten the mood. As we ate and watched, the earlier stress of the day seemed to melt away. The room was filled with the occasional bursts of laughter from the movie and the comforting presence of each other.

Lily looked more relaxed as the evening went on. We talked about everything and nothing—sharing stories, jokes, and just enjoying each other's company. The simple pleasure of being together, without the pressures of the outside world, was exactly what we both needed.

As the movie ended, I turned off the TV and leaned back against the pillows, pulling Lily closer. We lay there, wrapped in each other's arms, savoring the quiet and the intimacy of the moment. I could feel her breathing, steady and calm, and I knew that despite everything, we were getting through it together.