Risking it all (Lando Norris)

Chapter 24

Lily

I woke up to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, and for a moment, I allowed myself to enjoy the quiet before the chaos of the day. Today was important—third practice and qualifications. There was no room for mistakes, and I knew the team would be counting on me to keep everything running smoothly.

After a quick shower, I dressed in my McLaren polo and jeans, pulling my hair back into a neat ponytail. I grabbed my tablet and went over the schedule for the day one last time, mentally preparing myself for the tasks ahead. I needed to find Lando before the sessions started, just to make sure he was up to speed on everything.

The track was already buzzing with activity by the time I arrived at the motorhome. I greeted a few team members on the way in, exchanging quick nods and smiles, but my mind was focused on finding Lando. There was so much to cover, and I wanted to make sure he had everything he needed before heading out.

After a few minutes of searching, I finally spotted him in the hallway of the motorhome, talking to one of the engineers. He looked up as I approached, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips when he saw me. That little gesture always made my heart skip, no matter how many times I saw it.

"Lando, I just wanted to go over the schedule with you before things get too hectic," I said, holding up my tablet. "There are a couple of changes we need to discuss."

"Of course, darl- I mean Lily. What's up?" he asked, giving me his full attention.

I started to explain the revised plan, noting the timing for his media commitments and when he'd need to be ready for the practice sessions. Lando listened intently, nodding as I spoke, when suddenly, I heard the sound of heels clicking on the floor behind us.

I didn't need to turn around to know who it was—Olivia. She always made her presence known.

"Lan, there you are!" Olivia's voice was sickeningly sweet as she interrupted our conversation, completely ignoring the fact that we were in the middle of something. "I was looking for you."

I bit my tongue, trying to keep my focus on the schedule in front of me. Lan...Only I call him that...This was work, and I needed to stay professional, no matter how much her intrusion grated on my nerves.

Lando glanced at Olivia, his smile fading slightly. "Hey, Olivia. I'm just talking to Lily about today's schedule."

She didn't seem to care. Instead, she stepped closer to Lando, placing a hand on his arm in that familiar way she always did when she was trying to get his attention. "Oh, I'm sure that can wait, can't it? I wanted to ask if you were free later... maybe we could grab lunch?"

I felt a sharp pang in my chest as I watched her openly flirt with him, right in front of me. It wasn't the first time, but it never got easier. I kept my eyes on the tablet, pretending to make adjustments, though my hands were shaking slightly.

Lando cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable with the situation. "Actually, Olivia, I'm going to be pretty busy today with practice and qualifications. Maybe another time."

She pouted, but didn't let go of his arm. "Oh, come on, Lan. You can't be that busy. I'm sure you can squeeze me in somewhere baby."

I could feel the tension building in the air, and it took every ounce of willpower not to say something. But this wasn't the time or place. I needed to stay focused on my job, even if it meant swallowing the frustration bubbling inside me.

Lando finally managed to extricate himself from Olivia's grasp, stepping back slightly to put some distance between them. "I really can't today, Olivia. We've got a lot to get through."