the IT girl

The Date

Lily stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her outfit for what felt like the hundredth time. She had chosen something simple but elegant—a black dress that hugged her figure without being too flashy. The thought of going on a date with Lando still made her feel a little uneasy, but there was something exciting about it, too. After all the tension, banter, and back-and-forth between them, they were finally going to spend time together outside of the spotlight.

She took a deep breath, smoothing her hair one last time. It had been a while since she'd allowed herself to go on an actual date, and with Lando, no less. The mix of nerves and anticipation swirled in her chest as she grabbed her purse and headed out of her hotel room.

Lando had suggested a quiet restaurant by the coast, away from the crowds and media. He wanted it to be a private moment, just the two of them, without the pressure of the public eye. As her car pulled up to the restaurant, she saw him waiting outside, casually dressed in a white button-down shirt and jeans, his signature messy hair framing his face. He looked relaxed, a contrast to her own internal jitters.

"Hey," he greeted her with a warm smile, his eyes lighting up when he saw her. "You look amazing."

Lily felt a flush of warmth spread across her cheeks. "Thanks. You don't look too bad yourself."

He laughed softly, holding the door open for her as they walked inside. The restaurant was cozy, with soft lighting and a view of the ocean from the windows. The sound of waves crashing gently against the shore set a calming tone for the evening. A few people sat scattered across the room, but for the most part, it felt like they had the place to themselves.

They were shown to a table by the window, and for a moment, there was a comfortable silence as they settled in. Lily looked out at the water, the moon casting a silver glow across the waves.

"So," Lando started, breaking the silence. "This is a little different from our usual encounters."

Lily chuckled. "Yeah, no crowded events or runaway coffee cups this time."

He smiled, a genuine warmth in his eyes as he looked at her. "I'm glad you agreed to this. I wasn't sure you would."

She shrugged, her fingers tracing the edge of her glass. "I wasn't sure either. But... I think I've been running from things for too long."

Lando leaned forward, his gaze softening. "What do you mean?"

Lily hesitated, her thoughts swirling as she tried to find the right words. "I don't really... let people in. It's easier to keep things at arm's length. But I guess I'm realizing that maybe I don't want to keep doing that."

Lando nodded, his expression serious now. "I get it. I don't think it's easy for either of us. The world we're in... it's not built for real connections. But I want to try—with you."

His words hung in the air between them, and for the first time, Lily didn't feel the need to put up her usual walls. She felt safe in this moment with him, like maybe this was worth taking a risk on.

Dinner was a mix of casual conversation and playful banter. Lando shared stories about his life on the racing circuit, his love for the sport, and the pressures that came with it. Lily opened up about her modeling career, the challenges of always being in the public eye, and her dreams of one day doing something more meaningful. They found common ground in the way they both had to perform for the world, constantly being watched, judged, and expected to deliver perfection.

As the evening went on, the conversation flowed easily between them, laughter filling the spaces between serious moments. Lando was charming in a way that felt genuine, and Lily found herself smiling more than she had in a long time.