Tangled in Trophies- Lando Norris

23. Chauffeur again

Evangeline was sprawled across the bed in her hotel room, scrolling absently through her phone. The soft hum of the air conditioning and faint city sounds outside created a surprisingly tranquil atmosphere. She'd already resigned herself to the thought of taking the team shuttle to the paddock today, a routine she wasn't particularly looking forward to after the bustle of the previous day.

Her phone buzzed, the vibration breaking the silence. When she glanced at the screen and saw Lando's name, her stomach did a small, unexpected flip.

Sliding her thumb across the screen, she brought the phone to her ear. "Morning," she said, her voice still thick with sleep.

"Morning," came Lando's voice, bright and teasing. "Don't tell me you're still in bed, i thought a four time grand slam champion would be more productive?"

"What if I am, plus it's my one weekend off before i have to get back to training?" she shot back, rubbing her eyes.

"Then you'd better get up. I'm picking you up before quali. Be in the lobby in thirty."

She blinked, caught off guard. "Wait, what? I thought I was supposed to take the shuttle today."

"Change of plans," he said, his tone nonchalant. "I figured it'd be easier if we went together. Plus, I've got better taste in music than the shuttle driver. Trust me, I'm doing you a favor."

She couldn't help but smile, shaking her head. "You're awfully full of yourself for someone who made me wait yesterday."

"That's different," he countered, his grin practically audible. "I'm making up for it now. And hey, I've got something else to ask you, too."

"Oh?" she said, her curiosity piqued.

"There's a driver dinner tomorrow night," he explained. "Just a low-key thing with the management team after the race. You should come. It'll be good food, good company—way better than room service at the hotel."

Evangeline hesitated, caught off guard by the invitation. "Are you sure that's okay? I mean, isn't it... sort of an F1 thing?"

"You'll be fine," he assured her. "I'll make sure no one grills you too hard about tennis. Besides, it's nice to have someone there who isn't talking about setups and lap times for once."

His casual tone made it seem like the most natural thing in the world, but she couldn't shake the feeling that it was more significant than he was letting on.

"Alright," she said finally. "I'll come."

"Perfect," Lando said, clearly pleased. "Now get moving. I'll see you in thirty."

"Yeah, yeah," she said, already sliding off the bed. "See you soon."

The line clicked off, and Evangeline stared at her phone for a moment, her thoughts swirling. Shaking her head, she tossed it onto the bed and moved to get ready.

As she pulled on brown jacket and checked herself in the mirror, she couldn't help but feel a small, nervous flutter in her chest. She told herself it was just another day in the paddock—but something about Lando's invitation had shifted the air ever so slightly.

Evangeline adjusted her jacket as she stepped into the elevator, her heart beating a little faster than usual. Lando's invitation to both the paddock and the driver dinner lingered in her mind, leaving her with a strange mix of excitement and apprehension. She shook her head, trying to brush off the nerves. It's just Lando, she reminded herself. He's casual, relaxed—it's nothing to overthink.

The elevator doors slid open, and the soft hum of the lobby greeted her. The marble floors gleamed under the morning sunlight streaming through the glass windows, and the scent of fresh coffee wafted from a corner café.