GIMME!GIMME! | Lando Norris

Ten ✨

The golden morning light crept through the blinds, spilling across the room in gentle ribbons. Isabela stirred, blinking against the brightness, only to realize she wasn't alone.

Lando's arm was draped casually over her shoulders, his head tilted back against the couch cushion, mouth slightly open as he snored softly. She froze for a moment, her heart skipping a beat as she registered the closeness.

How did they end up like this?

Memories of the night before flooded her mind—the conversation, her tears, his comforting words. She bit her lip, torn between gratitude and embarrassment. He had seen her at her most vulnerable, and she hated that she didn't regret letting him in.

Carefully, she shifted, sliding out from under his arm. Lando stirred but didn't wake, his face momentarily scrunching before he settled back into sleep. She shook her head, smiling despite herself.

She tiptoed to the kitchen and started a pot of coffee, the aroma quickly filling the air. She glanced at the clock. There was just enough time to squeeze in breakfast before heading to the McLaren office.

Behind her, she heard the faint shuffle of footsteps. Turning, she saw Lando leaning against the doorframe, hair a tousled mess and eyes still heavy with sleep.

"Morning," he mumbled, his voice rough.

"Morning," she replied, handing him a mug of coffee.

"You're up early," he noted, taking a sip.

"Work doesn't wait," she said with a small shrug. "What's your excuse?"

He grinned. "The smell of breakfast. Plus, your couch isn't exactly five-star comfort."

"Fair enough," she said, smirking.

As they sat at the small kitchen table, a comfortable silence settled between them. Isabela fiddled with her mug, debating whether to bring up the night before.

"Thank you, by the way," she said quietly. "For staying. For listening. I really needed that."

Lando's grin softened into something more sincere. "Anytime, Izzy. You don't have to go through stuff like that alone, you know."

She nodded, the warmth in his words settling somewhere deep in her chest. For the first time in a long time she felt what she could only assume was happiness. Was her a life a mess of tangled work responsibilities, friendship break-ups and ''mommy issues''? Yes! But, at the same time, spending time with Lando filled her heart with a strange tipe of warmth.

She would be lying if she said that it wasn't scary. Feeling the way she was starting to feel about his presence wasn't ideal —- not only was he her co-worker he was also some type of A-lister. And, as much as she would love to entertain the idea that he could possible be seeing her in the same light was just laughable. Isabela thought of herself as being a beautiful and smart woman, but she knew she wasn't beautiful or hot enough to be playing in his league. So, for now, she would just be content with the notion that this - whatever the hell it was - was the start of a beautiful friendship.

"So," she said, breaking the moment and standing, "I need to shower and get ready for work. And if I'm remembering your schedule correctly, you've got to be at MTC in half an hour to start prepping for the shoot." She glanced at him with a teasing smile. "As much as I love your company, you should probably get going."

"The prep can wait a few more minutes," he quipped, leaning back in his chair. "Besides, who's going to drive you to work?"

"The first Uber that accepts my ride?" she shot back, playfully shoving him toward the door. "And I can't have you being late for your commitments."