𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐀 𝐗 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄!

𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐍'
𝟐𝟐. 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬, 𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬

The warm hum of anticipation filled the backstage area as Gianna stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her in-ear monitors. Her final show of the tour was just hours away, and she could already hear the buzz of the crowd growing in the distance. London. It felt like coming home in a way, and tonight was special—not just because it marked the end of months of hard work, but because Lando was in the audience.

They'd both been so busy these past few months, their schedules constantly clashing, but they'd made it work. Between races and her concerts, they'd managed late-night calls, fleeting texts, and the occasional video chat. It wasn't perfect, but it was enough to keep them connected.

"Ten minutes until showtime," her manager called from the door, breaking her train of thought.

Gianna smiled and nodded, taking one last look at herself. Her outfit shimmered under the soft glow of the dressing room lights, and she ran a hand through her perfectly styled hair. A knock at the door made her glance over, and her assistant popped her head in.

"Hey, just thought you'd want to know, Lando's already here. He's in the VIP section, front and center."

Her heart fluttered at the mention of him. She nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Thanks. Let's make this one unforgettable."

The energy in the venue was electric. Gianna could feel it pulsing through her as she stepped onto the stage, the roar of the crowd washing over her like a wave. She scanned the audience briefly, her gaze landing on the familiar figure sitting in the VIP section. Even in the dim lighting, she could see his unmistakable grin, his eyes locked on her.

The show went by in a blur of music, lights, and cheers, but every now and then, her gaze would flicker to Lando. He was completely engrossed, singing along, clapping, and occasionally leaning over to talk to someone beside him—probably Max or Oliver, who she guessed had joined him for the night.

When the final notes of her encore faded, the crowd erupted into applause. Gianna stood at the edge of the stage, breathing heavily as she took it all in. "Thank you, London," she called out, her voice filled with emotion. "You've made this tour unforgettable. I'll see you again soon!"

Backstage, Gianna was surrounded by her team, friends, and family congratulating her on the tour. But her eyes were searching for one person.

"Looking for someone?" a familiar voice teased from behind her.

She spun around to see Lando standing there, hands in his pockets, a slightly sheepish but excited smile on his face. He was dressed casually, his signature style on full display, but he looked as if he'd stepped out of a photoshoot.

"Lando," she breathed, closing the distance between them in an instant.

He opened his arms, and she stepped into them, his embrace grounding her after the whirlwind of the night. "You were amazing," he murmured into her hair. "I mean, I already knew you would be, but... wow."

She pulled back just enough to look up at him, her cheeks flushed from both the performance and his praise. "You came," she said softly, as if still processing it.

"Of course I did," he replied, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I wouldn't miss this for the world."

Her hands rested on his chest, and for a moment, the chaos around them faded. "I've missed you," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I've missed you too, darling," he said, his tone just as soft. "More than you know."

The noise of the backstage buzzed around them, but they stood there, lost in their own little world. Lando leaned in, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "How about we get out of here? Celebrate properly?"

Gianna smiled, nodding. "Let me grab my things, and I'm all yours."

"Take your time," he said, his grin widening. "I'm not going anywhere."

For the first time in months, the world felt right again. They were together, and for now, that was all that mattered.

The low hum of chatter and the soft sound of a jazz saxophone filled the cozy bar as Gianna and Lando settled into a booth near the back. The warm lighting cast a golden glow over the room, creating a perfect atmosphere for their long-overdue catch-up. Gianna swirled the wine in her glass, her lips curving into a smile as she leaned across the table toward him.

"This place is nice," she said, glancing around. "I'm surprised you found it."

Lando grinned, resting his forearms on the table. "I know, shocking, right? Credit goes to Max, though. He mentioned it when I told him I wanted to take you somewhere chill."

"Max with the good recommendations," she said with a laugh, sipping her wine.

The live band transitioned to a slower number, and Gianna rested her chin in her hand, studying Lando. He looked relaxed, but there was an energy in him she hadn't seen in a while. She could tell how much his racing had been going well just by the spark in his eyes.

"Leader of the championship, huh?" she said, tilting her head. "Does that mean I should start calling you Champ Norris?"

He rolled his eyes but couldn't hide his grin. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. It's still early in the season."

"But you're leading," she pointed out, raising her glass to him. "And that's a big deal. I'm proud of you."

"Thanks, darling," he said, his smile softening. "But let's talk about you. That final show tonight? Unbelievable. The whole tour, really. I've been following it as much as I could, watching videos and stuff. You've been killing it."

Gianna leaned back, running a hand through her hair. "It's been surreal, honestly. Exhausting, but in the best way. There were moments where I thought I'd completely lose my voice or collapse from all the traveling, but the crowds..." She paused, her eyes lighting up. "Hearing them sing back my lyrics, seeing them connect with the songs—it's worth everything."

Lando watched her, his gaze steady and full of admiration. "You make it sound so effortless. Like it's just what you were born to do."

She shrugged, her smile turning a little shy. "Maybe it is. But don't let me hog the spotlight. How's the car this season? Still as 'perfect' as you always say?"

He chuckled. "The car's been incredible. We've made some changes that really clicked, and I feel more in sync with it than I've felt in years. It's crazy, though—every race feels like it's a fight for survival at the top."

"You thrive in that," she said knowingly. "You've always been at your best when there's pressure."

Lando's grin grew. "And you've always been the one to remind me of that."

Their conversation flowed easily, the weight of their busy lives slipping away as they laughed and shared stories. A couple of drinks later, the mood shifted slightly as the jazz bar transitioned into a more upbeat vibe. The soft saxophones were replaced by lively beats, and the energy of the room began to change.

Gianna raised an eyebrow at Lando as she finished the last sip of her wine. "This isn't feeling very jazz anymore."

"Nope," he said, standing up and holding out a hand. "But it's feeling like the kind of place where we can celebrate properly."

"Celebrate what?" she teased, taking his hand.

"Your incredible tour. My not-too-shabby driving. Us finally having a night out together after months," he said, leading her toward the now-cleared space that had become a dance floor.

They danced together, the world outside forgotten as the music pulsed around them. Gianna laughed as Lando spun her under his arm, her dress shimmering under the lights. It was easy, carefree, and exactly what they both needed after months of being apart.

As the night wore on, the bar turned into a full-blown club, the music louder and the crowd thicker. They took shots with a group of strangers who recognized Gianna, laughing as they toasted to the night. Somewhere between the shots and the music, one of her own songs came on—a track from her recent album, one that she'd poured her heart into.

Gianna's eyes widened as the familiar opening chords played. "Oh my god," she said, turning to Lando. "They're playing my song."

Lando grinned, clearly loving her reaction. "You're famous, darling. What did you expect?"

She laughed, pulling him closer as she started to sing along to the chorus, her voice cutting through the noise of the crowd. She wasn't performing; she was just having fun, letting herself enjoy the moment.

"I want to make you mine," she sang, pointing at him dramatically.

Lando smirked, leaning in close so she could hear him over the music. "Already am, darling."

The words sent a flutter through her chest, and for a moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the room. They danced until the early hours, the night blurring into something unforgettable, their connection stronger than ever.

       The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. The faint hum of London traffic buzzed in the distance, muted by the thick windows. Gianna stirred first, her head nestled against Lando's chest, the slow and steady rhythm of his heartbeat grounding her. His arm was draped lazily around her waist, holding her close as if he didn't want the night to end.

She blinked a few times, taking in the peacefulness of the moment. Their legs were tangled beneath the sheets, her hair fanned out across the pillow they shared. Lando's face was relaxed in sleep, his normally sharp features softened. The corner of her lips quirked up as she watched him—there was something so tender about seeing him like this, stripped of his usual energy and chaos.

As she shifted slightly to get more comfortable, his arm tightened instinctively around her. "Mmm, morning," he murmured, his voice gravelly with sleep.

"Morning," she whispered, her voice equally soft.

He cracked one eye open, his lips curving into a lazy smile. "You're still here," he said, teasing but warm.

Gianna rolled her eyes, her fingers lightly tracing circles on his chest. "Where else would I be?"

"I don't know," he said, his hand sliding up to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Just feels surreal, waking up like this."

She tilted her head, her smile turning a little shy. "In a good way, I hope."

"In the best way," he replied, his gaze lingering on hers for a moment before he leaned in to press a soft kiss to her forehead.

They lay there in comfortable silence for a few minutes, neither wanting to move and break the spell of the morning. The previous night's memories—dancing, laughing, and being completely in sync—lingered like a warm afterglow.

"I could get used to this," Lando said finally, his fingers idly tracing patterns on her back.

Gianna smirked, propping herself up slightly to look at him. "Don't get too comfortable, Norris. You're back to racing in a few days, remember?"

He groaned dramatically, burying his face in the pillow. "Why'd you have to remind me?"

"Because someone has to keep you grounded," she teased, leaning down to press a quick kiss to his cheek.

He turned his head to catch her lips with his instead, the kiss lingering this time, soft and unhurried. When they pulled apart, his forehead rested against hers, his smile lazy and content.

"Let's just stay here all day," he mumbled, his eyes still closed.

"As tempting as that sounds, you know we can't," she said with a laugh. "We both have things to do."

"Like what?" he asked, feigning innocence.

"Like eating breakfast, for one," she said, untangling herself from him and sliding out of bed.

"Fine," he grumbled, watching her with a grin as she stretched and made her way to the bathroom.

As she disappeared through the door, Lando let out a content sigh, running a hand through his messy hair. For once, everything felt perfectly aligned, and he wasn't in any rush to let it go.

After breakfast, the two of them moved around the house in quiet coordination, getting ready for the day ahead. Gianna packed up a few things in her bag while Lando checked his phone, scrolling through messages from his team about his flight schedule. The air between them was calm but carried the bittersweet weight of an impending goodbye.

Lando zipped up his bag, setting it by the door. Gianna leaned against the counter, watching him with a soft smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. She hated these moments—the ones where they had to part ways after fleeting time together. He looked up and caught her gaze, his expression mirroring hers.

"Guess I should call the car soon," he said, his voice quieter than usual.

She nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yeah. You don't want to miss your flight."

Lando stepped closer, resting his hands on her hips. "I hate this part."

"So do I," she admitted, leaning into him.

He looked at her for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly as if he was battling with a thought. Then, suddenly, the words tumbled out. "Come with me to Monaco."

Gianna blinked, taken aback. "What?"

"You heard me," he said, his hands tightening slightly on her hips. "Come with me. You moved to London, but—let's be honest—you don't have much tying you there anymore. Monaco has... well, me, and Max and Pietra, and you already know some people there. It just makes sense."

She opened her mouth to respond, but nothing came out immediately. Instead, she stared at him, her heart racing.

"I know it's sudden," Lando added quickly, his voice soft but earnest. "But I've been thinking about it for a while now. Every time we say goodbye, it gets harder, and I don't want to keep doing this if we don't have to. I want you with me, darling."

Gianna's lips parted slightly, her emotions swirling as she processed his words. "Lando, I..."

"I know you need time to think about it," he interrupted, stepping back slightly but keeping his gaze locked on hers. "I'm not trying to pressure you. I just... I want you to know how I feel. London doesn't deserve you. And honestly, neither does Monaco, but I'd be selfish enough to try to keep you there anyway."

Her lips quirked up at his humor, though her eyes were misty. "You really mean that?"

"Every word," he said firmly.

Gianna looked down for a moment, chewing on her bottom lip before meeting his gaze again. "It's not that I don't want to, Lando. I just... I don't want to rush things and ruin what we have. But—" She paused, taking a breath. "But it does feel like London's lost its shine for me. And maybe... maybe you're right."

His face lit up, but he kept his response measured. "So... is that a maybe, or a yes?"

She laughed softly, wrapping her arms around his neck. "It's a yes. But we'll take it one step at a time, okay?"

"Okay," he said, his grin breaking through as he pulled her close, pressing his forehead to hers. "You just made my whole week."

"You make this really hard to say no to," she teased, her voice light now.

"Good," he said with a laugh, stealing a quick kiss before stepping back. "Now, let me call my team and figure out how to get your stuff and you onto the plane."

She laughed, swatting at his chest. "You're impossible."

"Only for you, darling," he said, grabbing his bag and his phone with a bounce in his step.

As they figured out how to move her stuff out to Monaco, she packed a couple of suitcases and left the stuff the movers would fly over.

The next chapter was beginning for them.

#AUTHORSNOTE

I wrote a little time skip, because writing concerts is exhausting tbh, I hope you liked this one.

Thanks for reading and don't be a silent reader, I love to read your thoughts on my book!

J