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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41. Incomplete Kisses
As soon as Stephania confessed that it might actually be a date, Carla and Mariá jumped up from their seats with a burst of energy. Without a word, they each grabbed one of Stephania's hands and practically dragged her up the stairs to her room.
"We need to find you the perfect outfit!" Mariá declared, already rifling through Stephania's suitcase before she had even caught her breath.
"Something that says, 'I'm effortlessly stunning,' but not like you tried too hard," Carla added, tossing a few dresses onto the bed with an appraising eye.
The next half-hour was a whirlwind of clothes flying through the air as they sifted through every suitcase, debating the merits of each piece. Finally, they settled on a dress that was both elegant and playful, something that perfectly captured the magic of a summer evening in Santorini.
With the outfit decided, it was time for makeup. Carla expertly applied a soft, glowing look that enhanced Stephania's natural beauty, while Mariá selected the perfect jewelry to complement the dress—her everyday rings, some subtle gold earrings, and a bracelet that caught the light just right. A spritz of perfume later, and they were searching for the right shoes to complete the ensemble.
"Okay, now shoes... something comfortable but chic," Carla said, rummaging through a pile of sandals and heels.
At last, they stepped back to admire their work, beaming with satisfaction. "You look absolutely gorgeous," Mariá said, pride evident in her voice.
Just as Stephania was about to thank them, a soft knock sounded at the door. The three girls froze, eyes wide, before Carla checked the time and grinned. "That must be Lando!"
In a flurry of excitement, they all exchanged quick Eskimo kisses, a ritual they had done since they were little girls, their noses brushing together in a sweet gesture of support and love.
"Good luck!" they whispered in unison, ducking out of sight as Stephania approached the door, her heart pounding with anticipation.
She took a deep breath and opened the door, and there stood Lando. The soft light from the hallway illuminated his face, his expression shifting as his eyes met hers. He looked at her, truly looked at her, and for a moment, he seemed utterly speechless. His gaze swept over her, taking in every detail, and his mouth fell slightly open in awe.
Stephania's heart fluttered at the sight of him—how he looked just as she remembered, yet somehow different. More mature, more... something. He had always been handsome, but the way he was looking at her now made her feel like the most beautiful girl in the world.
"Niah..." Lando finally managed to say, his voice soft, filled with genuine admiration. "You look... incredible."
Before she could respond, the girls behind her couldn't contain their giggles any longer. The sound broke the spell, and Lando's lips curved into a shy smile, realizing they weren't alone.
