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𝕖𝕝𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕟

{ riley's version }

_

I looked down at what I was wearing. Why I had agreed to go out with Izzy was beyond me. I wasn't usually the type to go out. I had done it a lot when I was a teen but this was different. I was still technically working and I had already toed the line of trouble when I let Lando persuade me into believing it would be okay to rest for a second.

I had told Izzy about it and she was stunned, trying to make me believe that something was going on between Lando and I. I made sure to make it very clear that there wasn't. I had just been jet lagged and he probably had been to. I trusted him to wake us up and while the whole thing wasn't ideal, no one was late.

Plus, it was too hard to stay mad at him when he looked like he was beating himself up over it. We didn't get in trouble so I dropped the whole thing but his face when we got to the hotel was enough to let me know he was still upset over the whole thing. He didn't say a word to me and I had thought about going across the hall to explain I wasn't mad but every time, I chickened out.

He had to have left for the driver's dinner by now. The only reason I knew that was I told Logan I would stop by to say hi before going out with Izzy. And with the way I was dressed, I seriously doubted he was going to let me leave that dinner.

The emerald green cocktail dress was tight and hugged everything in all the right places. I had gone with just letting my hair fall around my shoulders, pinning just the front pieces back so they weren't in my eyes, and paired with some black heels. Not exactly my usual clubbing fit but Izzy had picked it out and I trusted her.

The knock on the door finally pulled me away from the mirror. Izzy stood in front of me, looking beautiful in her little black dress, hair falling in perfect curls around her face.

"Oh my god, you look amazing. Ri, why didn't you tell me you were like hot?"

"Please, you are the definition of an angel." I grabbed my coat, setting it on my shoulders as I closed the door behind me.

"I know someone who would disagree."

I rolled my eyes as she linked her arm with mine. "We are not talking about this again."

"He likes you, Ri!"

"He does not." I sighed as we stepped into the elevator. "He is literally the definition of a playboy. I am nowhere near his type. And I'm okay with that."

"You are exactly what that boy needs. But I won't push it-"

"Thank you."

"Anymore tonight."

_

I stepped into the restaurant, Izzy behind me as we explained to the host we were with the drivers. He let us go when Logan spotted me, waving us over. I tried not to look for him as we walked over to Logan but there he was, sitting with Max Verstappen. They were talking and I knew he hadn't noticed me yet. I took the time to look him over; the soft white button-up, the dark jeans, the dress shoes, the chains, the way his hair looked like it had actually been styled.

"Riley!"

Lando looked up, meeting my eyes and I looked away, drawing my attention back to Logan. He hugged, me and I did the same.

"You look nice."

"Lo, just say you're having a hard time."

"You're my little sister, I will always have a hard time when you wear anything but sweats and a baggy sweater."

I snorted, fixing some of his hair that fell out of place. "You are worse than Dad."

"Someone has to be."

I rolled my eyes, waving at Alex as he caught my eye too. He was with Lily so I wasn't going to interrupt, I would see them tomorrow and actually be able to chat. Right now, all I could think about was the blue-green eyes that never seemed to look away from me. Logan got caught up talking to Izzy and so I let myself look over at him.

His gaze was intense and I wondered if he was still mad at me from earlier. His jaw was clenched, telling me everything I needed to know. I tried to muster up a smile but it was nothing more than a small one as I grabbed Izzy.

"I was promised partying."

"Yes!" She waved bye to Logan. "It's girls night!"

_

This was way more than clubbing in Miami. I chuckled as Izzy jumped up and down with excitement, dragging me further into the club. We had glasses of champagne in our hands and I apologized when I bumped into anyone, not exactly wanting to start anything with anyone. And the music. It was rave music, to say the least. I don't know why I expected anything else.

It took me a second to find the rhythm of it all, just following Izzy's lead as I downed the cup of champagne, setting it on a nearby table. It wasn't my usual scene but the energy that came off Izzy was contagious and soon I lost myself in the music.

All the thoughts from today drifted away as the minutes ticked past. Not the weird interaction with Lando this morning when I answered the door in barely any clothes. Not the hand on my knee to stop me from losing myself in the nerves as we drove to the track. Not the picture of us he used as his paddock pass. Not the little head butts. Not the way he held me close to share the umbrella so I wouldn't get wet.

I pushed all of them from my head as everything swirled around me. Gone was the way he looked at me when I walked into his driver's room. Gone was the warmth that radiated off him when I rested. Gone was the way I felt so comfortable and safe when we had fallen asleep. Gone was the anxiety at being late and then worrying he was mad at me. Gone was the feeling I got when he looked at me in the restaurant.

It all disappeared and when the world finally stopped spinning, all I saw was him.

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a/n: hehehehe oh i am loving this so much. anyone order a big side of denial? cause that's coming up. also because i like slow burns that aren't exactly slow burns. we are in a for a world of emotional whiplash. as always, love it or don't :p