The Finish Line Kiss - Lando Norris

✦˚₊‧⁺˖ chapter 14 ˖⁺‧₊˚✦

⊹★⋆💋｡°⋆✮🏎️✮⊹★🏁⋆｡ °⋆

The morning sunlight filtered weakly through the curtains, casting a muted glow over the hotel room. Zoe stirred, her head pounding—not from a hangover but from the emotional toll of the night before. The ache in her chest felt as heavy as ever, a weight she couldn't shake even after finally crying herself to sleep while on the phone with Shira.

She reached for her phone on the nightstand, blinking against the brightness of the screen as she checked her notifications. There it was. A text from Magui.

magui
Hey, can we meet for brunch? I feel like we should talk.

Zoe stared at the message for what felt like an eternity, her emotions swirling in a storm of confusion, anger, and exhaustion. She wasn't sure what Magui could possibly say to make up for what she'd seen last night, and yet... part of her wanted answers.

She sighed, sitting up and running a hand through her messy hair. Her mind replayed the sound of Shira's voice from last night, soothing and supportive, urging her to focus on what was best for herself. But now, staring at the screen, Zoe felt that familiar pull to confront things head-on, even if it hurt.

After a moment, she typed out a short reply:

zoe

Fine. Where?

Almost immediately, Magui responded, sharing the name of a nearby café and adding a breezy "It'll be on me."

Zoe rolled her eyes at the casual tone, but she dragged herself out of bed anyway. After a quick shower and some light makeup to hide the puffiness around her eyes, she threw on a casual outfit, oversized sunglasses included, and made her way downstairs.

The walk to the café was short, but her anxiety made it feel like miles. When she arrived, Magui was already seated at a small table outside, sipping a latte and scrolling through her phone like it was any other day.

Zoe hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and walked over.

"Hey," Magui said, looking up with a hesitant smile as Zoe sat down.

"Morning," Zoe replied flatly, removing her sunglasses and setting them on the table.

The tension was palpable, but Zoe didn't plan on making this easy for her. If Magui wanted to talk, she'd have to start.

Magui set her phone down and leaned back in her chair, fiddling with the edge of her napkin. She looked like she was choosing her words carefully, but Zoe didn't have the patience for a slow buildup.

"Look, Magui," Zoe said, cutting through the silence, "if you have something to say, just say it. I don't have time for games."

Magui blinked, startled by Zoe's directness, but she quickly composed herself. "I just wanted to explain... about last night."

Zoe raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Oh, please. Explain to me how kissing someone who isn't your boyfriend makes sense. I'd love to hear it."

Magui's cheeks flushed. "It's not what you think," she said quickly. "That guy... Simon... he's an old friend. We just... got caught up in the moment. It didn't mean anything."

Zoe's eyes narrowed. "Didn't mean anything? Magui, I saw you. That wasn't some 'oops, wrong angle' situation. It looked like you were having a great time."

Magui winced, her composure starting to crack. "I know how it looked, okay? But I love Lando. I'd never do anything to hurt him intentionally."

Zoe scoffed, leaning forward. "You really think he wouldn't be hurt if he knew? You can't just sweep this under the rug and hope it goes away. That's not how this works."