The Finish Line Kiss - Lando Norris

✦˚₊‧⁺˖ chapter 3 ˖⁺‧₊˚✦

⊹★⋆💋｡°⋆✮🏎️✮⊹★🏁⋆｡ °

Zoe tucked her hands into the pockets of her oversized coat, the cool Parisian breeze brushing against her skin. The city felt quieter than usual, a soft calm settling over the streets as the morning sun began to peek through the clouds. Her head was still a little foggy from the night before—a mix of champagne, loud music, and laughter that had stretched until 3 a.m. But the memories made it all worth it.

She turned a corner near a small café, planning to grab a coffee and something to soothe her aching head, when she nearly walked straight into someone.

"Oh! Sorry, I didn't see—" she began, then froze.

"Zoe?"

It was Magui.

Zoe blinked, startled. Of all the people to run into on a random Paris morning, Lando's girlfriend wasn't high on the list. Magui looked effortlessly put together, as always—sleek, stylish, and impossibly polished. Her hair fell in perfect waves, and her outfit looked like it belonged in a magazine spread.

"Hey, Magui," Zoe said, forcing a polite smile. They were friends, technically. Polite acquaintances, really. But Lando knew she wasn't Magui's biggest fan.

Magui smiled back, but there was something off about it. It didn't quite reach her eyes, which looked tired, almost guarded. Zoe couldn't put her finger on it, but the energy was... weird.

"What are you doing here?" Magui asked, her tone light but a little too casual.

"Just wandering," Zoe replied with a shrug. "Clearing my head after last night. What about you? I didn't know you were in Paris."

Magui hesitated for the briefest moment, her gaze flickering away before returning. "Oh, yeah. Just visiting for a bit. Lando's been so busy with the race in Miami, and I thought I'd take some time to myself."

Zoe raised an eyebrow. Something about her answer felt... rehearsed. Magui was usually so self-assured, but now, she seemed almost nervous.

"Right," Zoe said, drawing the word out slightly. "Well, you picked a good spot. Paris is magic, even if you're just here to wander."

Magui gave a soft laugh, but it sounded hollow. "Yeah, I guess."

They stood there in awkward silence for a moment. Zoe shifted her weight, unsure what to say next. She wasn't one for prying, but the vibe was throwing her off. Magui seemed... distracted. And not the usual kind of distracted where she was scrolling through her phone or talking about some brand deal. This was different.

"Everything okay?" Zoe asked finally, her voice softer than usual.

Magui's expression faltered, just for a second, before she straightened up. "Of course! Why wouldn't it be?"

Zoe nodded slowly, but she didn't believe her. "Okay. Well, if you ever need to talk..."

Magui's smile returned, but it was tight, forced. "Thanks, Zoe. That's sweet of you."

Zoe gave a small wave and turned to head into the café, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. She glanced back over her shoulder just in time to see Magui walking briskly in the opposite direction, her shoulders stiff and her head down.

Zoe sighed, rubbing her temples. Maybe she was just overthinking it. Maybe it was the hangover making her extra sensitive.

⊹★⋆💋｡°⋆✮🏎️✮⊹★🏁⋆｡ °