Tangled in Trophies- Lando Norris

39. Monaco invitations

The sunlight filtered through the curtains of Lando's hotel room, casting a warm glow over the polished wooden desk and minimalistic furnishings. The city outside the window was alive with its usual hum of activity—cars zipping by, faint chatter from pedestrians below, the sound of construction in the distance.

Lando groaned softly as he reached for his phone on the nightstand. His head felt a little heavier than usual, but it wasn't from lack of sleep. His thoughts still lingered on the weekend, on Evangeline, and on how natural it had felt to watch her perform, to see her in her element.

He unlocked his phone, scrolling through his messages and social media notifications absentmindedly. He was about to close the app when his thumb froze on her name.

Evangeline.

A faint smile tugged at his lips. He'd spent most of the evening thinking about her—the way she moved on the court, how beautiful she looked under the lights of the arena, her calm confidence when speaking to those reporters, and the warmth of her voice when she waved to those kids asking for autographs.

She was unforgettable, in that effortless way that stuck with him.

He hesitated for a moment, staring at her name on his screen. His thumb hovered. What would it hurt to send a simple message? Something casual.

He exhaled and typed a few words:

"Hey, I was wondering if you'd like to come to the Monaco Grand Prix with me. I'd love to catch up over coffee while we're there if you're free. I actually have a place there if you're up for something a bit more relaxed and private."

He stared at the message for a moment before sending it. His heart gave a small, inexplicable flutter. He could feel his own uncertainty creep in. Was this too soon? Did he overstep by asking her to join him for the next one?

But before he could second guess himself, the message was sent.

Lando placed the phone back on the nightstand, rubbed his eyes, and leaned back against the pillows. He tried to push away the anxiety that lingered in his chest, but his thoughts had a way of drifting back to her: her smile, the confidence in her voice, the sound of her laughter.

He glanced at the ceiling, letting himself think for a moment. He imagined what it would be like to spend more time with her outside the race car, away from the noise of Formula 1 and the cameras. The idea of seeing her at another venue, just the two of them—coffee, conversation, maybe even a few laughs—felt simple and effortless in his mind.

But did he overthink these things? Probably.

He picked up his phone again and glanced at it, willing her to reply.

It wasn't until the afternoon that his phone buzzed. Lando was at the gym when he felt it vibrating in his pocket. He wiped his brow and pulled it out, glancing at the name on the screen.

Evangeline.

He didn't hesitate this time. His fingers fumbled a little as he answered, his voice a bit raspier from exertion.

"Hey," he greeted, trying to sound casual.

"Hi," came her voice. It was bright, steady, and just a little excited. Lando could almost hear her smile. "I saw your message this morning."

Lando grinned, his shoulders relaxing a little. "Yeah, I was just wondering if you'd be interested in coming to the Monaco Grand Prix with me. It should be fun, and I thought it might be nice to hang out. Grab a coffee or two while we're there. I actually have a place there if you'd like something a bit more private and relaxed."