|Love 4 Apex| Lando Norris

🏎 3 - The Dinner Table

The restaurant was warm, filled with the soft hum of conversation as Rose and Lando settled into their seats. The air smelled of rich sauces and freshly baked bread, the perfect setting for the fancy Italian dinner Lando had promised. Despite her frustration at finishing just outside the podium, Rose felt herself relax as they started chatting.

"So, how's the fam?" Lando asked, pouring her a glass of water.

Rose grinned. "Dad's still pretending he's not worried about me speeding around at 300 km/h. He calls like every other day, checking in. And Grandma... well, she's still telling me I should've picked a 'normal' job."

It had been just Rose and her dad for as long as she could remember. Her mom had died in a car accident when she was four, and with no siblings, her grandma had stepped in to help raise her. She had taken over the role of keeping Rose grounded, though with plenty of firm, loving guidance—and the occasional comment about more "sensible" career choices.

Lando chuckled. "Your grandma sounds hardcore. You should hear my folks—they act like I'm still 12, trying to make sure I'm staying out of trouble."

At that moment, the waiter approached, a friendly smile on his face. "Good evening! Can I start you off with something to drink?"

Lando glanced at Rose, raising an eyebrow. "Wine?"

Rose shook her head with a smile. "No wine for me, thanks. Water's perfect."

Lando nodded. "Same for me. Water's fine."

The waiter thanked them and left, and once he was out of earshot, Lando smirked and teased, "Probably a good call skipping the wine. You didn't get to spray any champagne on the podium, so might as well keep the streak going, right?"

Rose playfully rolled her eyes. "Please, don't remind me. Standing there watching you on the podium while I just smiled... not my favorite moment."

Lando smirked. "Your time will come sooner than you think."

Rose grinned. "Yeah, well, don't get too jealous when it's my turn."

Leaning back in his chair, still chuckling, Lando asked, "So, what's new?"

Rose smirked. "Flo's been roasting me non-stop lately. She sent me a meme about drivers missing pit stops, saying I probably need GPS to find mine."

Lando burst out laughing. "Flo did not! That's brutal."

"Oh, she did. And she's relentless. Every time I post something, she's right there with another jab. It's like she's got a stash of these saved up just for me."

Lando shook his head, still laughing as he casually glanced at the menu. "Welcome to the club! She's been roasting me basically my whole life. Remember when I finished P16? She photoshopped my face onto a tortoise. It still haunts me."

Rose snorted. "Good to know I'm not alone in this."

"Definitely not," Lando grinned, his eyes flicking over the options. "You're officially part of the Norris roast squad."

"Great," Rose rolled her eyes playfully. "Though, I haven't talked to her in a while. I miss her."

"Yeah, she misses you too," Lando said with a nod, briefly looking up.

"How's your sister Cisca doing? I haven't seen her in a while either," Rose asked, leaning back slightly. "Her 18th birthday's coming up, right?"

Lando shrugged with a grin. "Yeah, 18 already. She's got all these plans. Wants a big party, of course—Flo's helping her plan it. I'm sure it'll be one of those 'go big or go home' kind of things."