𝐆𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐄𝐍 𝐒𝐋𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐒 | 𝐋𝐍𝟒

𝐗𝐋𝐈𝐈𝐈

A/N: ‼️PLEASE COMMENT YOUR THOUGHTS ‼️

•••••••

Milaine took the last turn toward McLaren hospitality, still annoyed, still sipping her matcha like it might cool her down.

Lando spotted her before she saw him.

He was stepping out of the garage hallway, race suit half-zipped, fireproofs rolled at the waist, he was in that short window between final prep and the chaos of grid calls. His cap was backwards, and despite everything , he looked relaxed.

He jogged a few steps to meet her halfway.

«Hey» he said, tone easy. «What happened? You look pissed.»

She blinked up at him. «Do I?»

He smirked. «Yeah. That's your 'don't talk to me unless you want to die' face. What happened?»

She sighed, almost theatrically. «I ran into your friend.»

Lando didn't even need clarification. His face lit up with immediate amusement. «Carlos.»

«Bingo.»

He let out a small laugh. «What did he say this time? Accuse you of corrupting me?»

She gave him a dry look. «No, he just implied it with every sentence.»

Lando grinned wider. «You're glowing.»

She rolled her eyes. «I'm fuming.»

«Same thing in your case» he teased.

They reached the edge of the hospitality entrance — the big orange and black canopy glowing under the overcast sun. People passed by — and a few slowed just slightly, taking mental notes of how close Milaine and Lando were standing. He didn't seem to care.

He leaned slightly toward her. «Honestly... I love this. You and Carlos? It's like... reality TV..»

She narrowed her eyes at him. «You're enjoying this.»

«A little.»

«A lot»

He laughed again, couldn't help it. Then he reached out and nudged her matcha cup with the back of his hand. «Now that I'm thinking about it... Carlos been wanting to have dinner with me and my team— like, all together. I think today would be a great day. Y'know... if I win.»

Her eyes snapped to his. «Absolutely not.»

«What? Im sure it would be great.»

«No.» she said, deadpan. «You said post-race dinner — just me and you. Or you and your family. Not... Carlos.»

«I'm just saying» he drawled, eyes dancing with mischief «If I win today, you kind of have to do what the winner says.»

She narrowed her eyes. «That's not a thing.»

«It is now.»

She rolled her eyes and sipped her matcha again instead of replying. He bit back a laugh, watching her with an affection that was barely hidden.

«I swear» he added under his breath, «This is the most entertained I've been all week.»

«Well win first and then we'll see» She says

«Not so confident in me anymore.» He teased

She stayed quiet for a few seconds then  uttered calmly, like it was the most normal thing in the world «I am, i will always be»