Alice stood in the sleek, high-energy environment of the Mercedes garage. The air buzzed with anticipation as engineers and crew members moved around in perfect synchronization, preparing for another intense race week. The faint roar of engines testing on the track resonated in the background, and the scent of rubber and gasoline lingered in the air. Fans cheered from the grandstands outside, their chants rising and falling like waves.

Alice, dressed in a simple yet chic outfit—a black cropped jacket over a white tank top, paired with high-waisted denim jeans and white sneakers—blended effortlessly into the paddock's sophisticated yet casual vibe. Her hair was loosely tied back, and minimal makeup accentuated her natural glow. Around her wrist, she fiddled absentmindedly with the 'L' charm bracelet Lewis had gifted her, the small silver charm catching the fluorescent garage lights.

She hesitated at the edge of the bustling space, phone in hand, re-reading the text from the girls: "Join us! It'll be fun! 💕" Alice sighed. She had spent weeks convincing herself that she was completely over Max, but seeing Simone, his current girlfriend, even in passing, always left her uneasy. The memory of his curt "Move on" message lingered like a ghost in her mind.

"Hey, you okay?" Lewis's familiar voice broke her thoughts. He appeared beside her, his signature calm demeanor instantly grounding her. He wore his race suit, the Mercedes logo prominent, and his expression softened when he noticed her fidgeting.

"Yeah, just… lost in thought," Alice admitted, giving him a small smile.

"Doesn't look like 'just lost in thought.' Want to talk about it?" Lewis asked, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

Alice hesitated but shook her head. "Not now. You have enough to focus on."

Lewis studied her for a moment but nodded. "Alright. But after the race, okay?" He smiled, his confidence contagious. "Besides, Roscoe says you're my lucky charm. You being here means I’m winning this one."

Alice laughed softly, her shoulders relaxing. "Tell Roscoe I’ll do my best to keep the streak alive."

Lewis chuckled. "You tell him yourself. He’s at the motorhome, probably stealing snacks." With a final wink, he walked toward his car, leaving her with a lingering warmth.

As Alice turned back to the screen showing live updates, she felt someone’s gaze on her. A glance across the paddock confirmed it—Max stood near the Red Bull section, his expression unreadable. His eyes flicked briefly to her wrist, where the charm bracelet glinted, before he turned away, expression tightening.

Alice's phone buzzed again. It was Charolette: "Seriously, come hang out with us! You can't just stand there the whole race."

Alice sighed, debating her options. As the first cars roared to life on the track, the tension in her chest mirrored the growing intensity of the day. Would she go, or stay? Would she confront her lingering feelings or continue ignoring them? One thing was certain: the race wasn’t the only competition unfolding in the paddock.

Alice's phone buzzed again, pulling her from her thoughts. This time it was Kika:

"You coming? We’re saving you a spot. Don’t let me down, okay? 💖"

Alice stared at the screen, her thumb hovering over the reply button. Emily might have been far away in Australia, but Kika’s persistence was enough to make Alice second-guess her hesitation. The girls were kind, inviting, and genuinely trying to make her feel at ease. But Simone would be there too, and the idea of spending time so close to Max’s girlfriend still felt like a test she wasn’t sure she was ready to take.

She sighed, slipping her phone back into her pocket without responding, and folded her arms as she continued watching the flurry of activity in the garage. Her anxiety clung to her like the humid air around the paddock.

A sudden voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

"You planning to hide here all day, or are you actually going to enjoy the race?"

Alice turned to find Daniel Ricciardo standing nearby, his ever-present grin tugging at his lips. His playful tone and easy demeanor instantly made her smile.

"Trying to avoid drama, Ricciardo," she replied, half-joking.

"Drama follows you whether you like it or not," Daniel teased, leaning against a nearby counter. "Especially when you’re hanging around Hamilton and Roscoe."

Alice laughed softly, shaking her head. "I think Roscoe’s the star here, not me."

"You’d be surprised," Daniel said with a wink. "Speaking of which, are you joining Kika and the gang, or are you just going to stand here looking suspiciously like you’re avoiding someone?"

Alice raised an eyebrow at him. "You’re too observant for your own good."

"Comes with the territory," he quipped. "But seriously, they’re a good group. Give it a shot. What’s the worst that could happen?"

Alice hesitated, chewing on her lip. The worst that could happen? Simone might throw a perfectly disguised jab, or worse, Max might show up, and she’d have to pretend she wasn’t still reeling from his cryptic comment on her last post.

But Daniel’s earnest expression—and the growing noise of the crowd outside—pushed her to decide. She let out a slow breath.

"Fine. But if it’s awkward, I’m blaming you," she said, pointing a finger at him.

"Deal," Daniel replied with a laugh, stepping aside to let her pass. "But trust me, you’ll be fine. And if it gets too weird, just talk about Roscoe. Everyone loves Roscoe."

As Alice walked toward the group, her phone buzzed once more. It was another text from Kika:

"Can’t wait to see you! 💕"

She smiled despite herself. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad after all.