The Finish Line Kiss - Lando Norris

✦˚₊‧⁺˖ chapter 19 ˖⁺‧₊˚✦

⊹★⋆💋｡°⋆✮🏎️✮⊹★🏁⋆｡ °⋆

After four days of hiking, biking, and breathing in the crisp mountain air, Zoe had started to feel like a new person. The weight she'd carried for so long had lessened, and for the first time in weeks, she felt at peace, at least for now.

The cabin was quiet as they packed up, each of them moving in a rhythm that had developed over the past few days. Charlie was stuffing his backpack with the last of his clothes, Matt was organizing his camera gear, and Shira was folding up her jacket, occasionally shooting Zoe a look as she worked.

Zoe took a deep breath as she zipped up her suitcase. It had been the reset she'd needed. The mountains had offered her a kind of clarity she hadn't expected. She felt lighter, like the heavy thoughts in her mind had been washed away by the clean, fresh air. She wasn't completely healed, but she wasn't the same person who had arrived at the cabin a few days ago, either.

"Ready to go back?" Charlie asked, breaking Zoe from her thoughts. He stood in the doorway, his jacket on and a bag slung over his shoulder.

Zoe nodded, pulling her hair back into a loose ponytail. "Yeah. I think so."

"Feeling better?" Shira asked from the other side of the room. She was fiddling with her phone, probably texting Matt, but she still kept one eye on Zoe.

Zoe smiled faintly. "I mean... yeah. It's like I can finally think clearly again. I didn't know how much I needed this until I was here."

"I'm glad." Shira gave her a thumbs-up. "You're stronger than you think, Zo. Always have been."

"Let's just hope I don't forget that when I get back to London," Zoe said with a small laugh, feeling the first hint of excitement since the whole mess began.

They finished packing, loading up the car with their bags, and drove down the winding mountain roads toward the nearest airport. The ride was quieter than usual, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Zoe felt a sense of gratitude for her friends, who had offered her both space and support when she needed it the most. They hadn't tried to fix her—they'd just let her heal at her own pace.

When they arrived at the airport, Zoe stood outside for a moment, letting the cool air hit her skin. She wasn't sure what she'd face when she returned to London. The unresolved tension with Lando, the weight of her own decisions, the uncertainty about what came next—it was still there, lingering in the background.

But for the first time in a long time, Zoe felt like she was ready to face it. It wouldn't be easy, and she didn't have all the answers, but maybe that was okay. One step at a time.

As she followed her friends into the terminal, Zoe took one last look at the mountains. The peacefulness of it all had grounded her, and she knew that if she needed it, she could find that sense of calm again. But for now, it was time to go home.

Zoe's eyes lingered on the bustling crowd as she absently scanned the area, but something—or rather, someone—caught her attention. Standing a few feet away, near a café, was Lando.

Zoe froze, her heart skipping a beat as she locked eyes with Lando. There was something in his gaze that made her feel exposed, like he was looking straight through her. His expression was unreadable, but it had a sharp edge to it, almost like he was judging her from afar. There was an edge to his stare, one that felt cold and unyielding, even from across the room. Zoe's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively felt herself tense up, a knot forming in her stomach.