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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38. The One That Got Away
Stephania woke up to the soft sound of waves crashing in the distance and the golden light of the early morning filtering through the sheer curtains of her suite. The bed was enormous, with crisp white linens that still carried the scent of lavender from the previous night. She stretched languidly, savoring the quiet moments of solitude in the luxurious villa perched on the cliffs of Santorini. Her room was a masterpiece of modern elegance, with whitewashed walls, rustic wooden beams, and sliding doors that opened onto a private terrace with breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea.
She glanced at her phone on the nightstand—6:15 a.m. Everyone else was still asleep, recovering from the long journey yesterday. Carla and Mariá were in the suites on either side of hers, likely still tangled in their sheets, while across the hall, Lando and Max occupied their own rooms. The thought of Lando made her heart skip a beat. The tension between them had been growing, ever since they'd both admitted—reluctantly, hesitantly—that there was something more than friendship between them.
The villa was serene at this hour, the only sounds being the distant waves and the soft rustle of olive trees in the morning breeze. Feeling restless, Stephania slipped out of bed and stepped onto the cool marble floor. She grabbed her favorite bikini, a deep emerald green that complimented her sun-kissed skin, and tied it on quickly. Wrapping a matching sarong around her waist, she tiptoed through the villa, careful not to wake anyone, and made her way to the infinity pool that overlooked the sea.
The water was a sharp contrast to the warm air, sending a delightful shiver through her as she dove in. She swam a few laps, her movements smooth and practiced, then floated on her back, letting the cool water wash away the last remnants of sleep. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a golden hue across the horizon, and for a moment, everything felt perfect. Here, suspended between the sky and the sea, she could almost forget the complicated feelings that had been swirling inside her for the past few months.
But as she got out of the pool, the reality of it all came rushing back. She dried off with a fluffy towel, then slipped into a pair of small shorts that sat low on her hips, barely covering her bikini bottoms. They were a bit skimpy, but they were on vacation, and everyone was practically living in swimwear, so it didn't seem out of place. With the sun now fully risen, she walked back into the villa, her wet hair clinging to her shoulders.
The kitchen was a sleek, modern space with stainless steel appliances and a massive island in the center. Stephania opened the fridge, pulling out a variety of fresh fruit—mangoes, strawberries, and a ripe pineapple. She began slicing them with practiced ease, the sweet aroma filling the air as she arranged the pieces on a large platter.
She was so focused on her task that she didn't hear Lando enter the room until he spoke, his voice still rough from sleep. "Morning, gorgeous," he murmured, making her jump slightly.
