Tangled in Trophies- Lando Norris

19. A new invitation

Evangeline was sitting in her London apartment, wrapped in the cozy comfort of her favorite hoodie. It had been a few weeks since the Australian Open, and while she was still riding the high of her victory, the grind of training was back in full swing. Today, she was taking a brief break to grab a coffee and catch up on some reading when her phone buzzed on the counter. She reached for it absentmindedly, expecting a message from Clara or Olivia, but when she saw the name on the screen, her heart skipped a beat.

Lando Norris.

The message was simple, but the tone felt different from their usual banter.

Lando: Hey Evangeline, hope you're doing well! McLaren's media team was talking, and they think it would be a good idea for you to attend the next F1 race. They think it'd be awesome to have such an esteemed athlete like you endorsing the team. What do you think? Would you be up for it?

Evangeline stared at the message for a moment. Her thumb hovered over the screen, unsure how to respond. She had seen Lando's races from the sidelines before, but the idea of being involved in an actual F1 race as more than a spectator was a different level of exposure. She quickly glanced at her reflection in the coffee shop window. Her schedule had been jam-packed lately, and she wasn't sure how this would fit in.

But then again, Lando had a way of making things sound more casual than they were. The thought of attending the race and being in that environment, so different from her own world, was intriguing. And the idea of endorsing McLaren—the team that Lando was such a huge part of—was tempting, especially if it meant she could finally connect her two worlds: tennis and Formula 1.

She tapped out a reply, trying to balance professionalism with her natural hesitation.

Evangeline: Hey, Lando! I'm flattered. I'm not sure... I've never done anything like that before. I guess I'd need to figure out how it fits into my schedule.
She pressed send and then immediately regretted how formal it sounded. Of course, it was just a casual invitation, but she felt like she needed to appear a bit more enthusiastic. She quickly added another line:

Evangeline: But I have to admit, it sounds exciting. Let me think about it!
She set her phone down, mentally reviewing her schedule. She had a few tournaments coming up, but maybe she could make it work. Her phone buzzed again before she could start making a list.

Lando: I get it, no pressure at all. But I think it'd be a great experience for you. The media team's pretty excited about it, and honestly, I think it'd be fun having you there.
Evangeline chuckled, leaning back in her chair as she read the message. Of course, Lando would think it would be fun. His easy-going energy made everything sound like an adventure.

Evangeline: Fun, huh? I suppose if you think it's worth it, I'm open to giving it a shot. But if I get roped into doing interviews, you're on your own. 😅
She couldn't help but add the emoji, her usual sarcasm slipping in despite the professional tone. She picked up her coffee and took a sip, savoring the warmth as she waited for his response.

It wasn't long before Lando replied.

Lando: I'll take the heat. You'll have a blast, promise. We'll keep it chill—just some behind-the-scenes stuff and maybe a few photos with the team. Nothing crazy.
Evangeline smiled. He had a way of making everything seem effortless. It was one of the reasons she enjoyed spending time with him; his natural charisma and ease were contagious.

Evangeline: Alright, alright. You talked me into it. I'll go. But if it turns into some full-blown press tour, I'm blaming you.
She laughed to herself as she pressed send, already imagining the chaos of the media attention that would undoubtedly follow her presence at the race. Lando might be a seasoned pro, but she had a feeling this would be a completely different kind of pressure. But it was too late to back out now.

Lando's reply was almost immediate.

Lando: Haha, deal. You'll have a good time, I promise. I'll make sure to give you the best seat in the house.
Evangeline felt a strange flutter in her stomach at his words. She knew he meant it casually, but it was the first time he had ever promised to look out for her in that way.

She quickly shook it off, reminding herself that this was all business. She had her own career to focus on, and this would just be another opportunity to expand her horizons. Still, the idea of spending more time with Lando—who had become someone she didn't just admire but genuinely enjoyed being around—left her feeling excited in a way she didn't expect.

Evangeline: I'll hold you to that. Should I start packing?
Lando: Yeah, get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. See you soon.
Evangeline couldn't help but smile as she set her phone down on the table. The next F1 race was coming up quickly, and she was about to dive headfirst into a world that felt entirely new to her. But she wasn't scared.

Not with Lando around.

Later That Week...

The day before the race, Evangeline found herself in the airport, her carry-on slung over her shoulder as she stared out at the plane that would take her back to Australia for the Australian Grand PrixShe wasn't sure what to expect from this experience, but as she boarded the plane, she couldn't help but feel the rush of excitement and curiosity about what was ahead. She glanced at the screen on her phone, finding a message from Lando waiting for her.

Lando: See you in 18 hours!
Evangeline chuckled and typed back.

Evangeline: See your tmr, don't die before i get there.
Lando: Wil try not too. See you tomorrow. I'm pretty sure you're going to love it.
Evangeline couldn't help but grin at the thought.