𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐀 𝐗 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄!

SPINNIN'
𝟐𝟖. 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝

        The morning sun filtered through the curtains as Gianna finished getting ready, smoothing out the soft beige fabric of her dress in the mirror. She adjusted her hair, letting it fall in loose waves over her shoulders. The house was still quiet, the others not yet stirring, but Gianna was already buzzing with nervous excitement. Today was the day of Max's proposal, and while everything was meticulously planned, she knew her role would be crucial in keeping Pietra distracted until Max had everything ready.

Her phone buzzed on the table with a text from Max:
"Morning! Can you and Lando keep Pietra busy? I'll need a couple of hours to set things up. Thanks, G!"

She smiled softly, already thinking of ways to subtly rope Lando into the plan. Stepping out onto the balcony for a moment to take a deep breath of the salty sea air, she gathered her thoughts. The view of Santorini was stunning—whitewashed houses and bright blue rooftops glowed under the morning sun, the ocean sparkling in the distance. Today couldn't have been more perfect for what Max had planned.

A shuffle behind her broke her thoughts. Turning, she saw Lando leaning against the doorframe, his hair messily tousled, wearing a loose white shirt and shorts. His sleepy expression warmed her heart, even though she knew she'd have to keep him in the dark about the real reason for keeping Pietra occupied.

"Morning," he murmured, rubbing the back of his neck. "You're up early."

Gianna smiled, trying to keep her tone casual. "Morning. Big day, you know—thought I'd get a head start."

Lando raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "A head start on what?"

"Pietra and I were thinking of doing some shopping this morning," Gianna said quickly, her voice light. "Maybe exploring a bit before lunch. I thought you could come along too—she'd love that."

Lando groaned playfully, rubbing his face. "Shopping? Sounds like a trap."

Gianna rolled her eyes but laughed, stepping closer to loop her arms around his neck. "Come on, it'll be fun. And besides, Pietra's been saying she hasn't gotten to spend enough time with you this trip. You're her honorary brother, remember?"

Lando sighed dramatically, but the small smile tugging at his lips gave him away. "Fine. But only because you asked so nicely."

She grinned, kissing him softly. "Thanks, darling. You're the best."

Lando gave her a suspicious look as she moved past him to grab her bag. "You're up to something, aren't you?"

"No idea what you're talking about," she called over her shoulder, her tone teasing. "Now go get dressed. We don't want Pietra wondering why we're stalling."

He muttered something under his breath, but the amused look in his eyes stayed as he disappeared into the bathroom. Gianna felt a pang of guilt for not telling him the full story, but she knew Max wanted it to be a complete surprise. Lando's help would make it easier to keep Pietra distracted—and he didn't need to know why, at least not yet.

By the time they were all ready to leave, Gianna had expertly suggested a relaxed morning exploring the shops in the nearby town. Pietra was excited, Lando was dutifully tagging along, and Gianna couldn't help but smile to herself. Everything was falling into place.

The golden hues of the setting sun stretched across the sky, casting a warm glow over the pristine Santorini beach. The gentle crash of the waves filled the air as Gianna led Pietra along the soft sand, her heart pounding in anticipation of what was about to unfold. Pietra, now dressed in an elegant, flowy dress that Gianna had subtly suggested she wear earlier, looked radiant and slightly confused as they approached the designated spot.

"Why are we here, G?" Pietra asked, glancing around with a soft smile. "This is beautiful, but you're being a little cryptic."

Gianna smiled back, trying to suppress her nerves. "You'll see. Just stay here for a moment, okay? I promise it'll all make sense."

Before Pietra could ask another question, Gianna squeezed her hand and quickly turned, running back across the beach toward Lando, who was waiting behind a cluster of large rocks further down the shore. She found him leaning casually against the stone, looking out at the scene with a curious expression.

"What's going on?" he asked as Gianna reached him, slightly out of breath. "You've been acting all mysterious today."

"Just wait," she whispered, grabbing his hand and pulling him down to crouch behind the rocks with her. "Trust me, you'll want to watch this."

Lando furrowed his brow but complied, settling beside her as they both peeked around the corner. In the distance, Pietra stood on the beach, her feet sinking into the sand, looking out toward the water with an expression of wonder and uncertainty.

The sound of footsteps behind them drew Gianna's attention, and she turned to see Max approaching, dressed in a crisp white shirt and light trousers. His face was a mix of determination and excitement, his hands clutching a small velvet box. He nodded at Gianna in silent thanks before walking past her and stepping onto the beach.

Gianna felt Lando tense beside her as realization dawned on his face. "Wait...is he—"

"Shh," Gianna whispered, lightly squeezing his hand. "Just watch."

They stayed hidden as Max approached Pietra, who turned to face him with wide eyes, her hands instinctively going to her chest. The moment she saw him, her expression softened, and a knowing smile spread across her lips.

Max stopped in front of her, reaching out to take her hands in his. The waves lapped gently at their feet, and the golden light framed them perfectly as he began to speak. Though Gianna and Lando couldn't hear his exact words from their hiding spot, the emotion in his voice carried across the beach.

Gianna felt her chest tighten as she watched Max drop to one knee, opening the small velvet box to reveal the sparkling engagement ring inside. Pietra's hands flew to her face, her laughter and tears mingling as she nodded emphatically, pulling Max to his feet and wrapping her arms around him.

"She said yes," Lando murmured, his voice soft with awe.

Gianna turned to him, smiling. "Of course she did."

They stayed there for a few moments longer, watching as Max slipped the ring onto Pietra's finger and spun her around in pure joy. Finally, Max turned and gestured toward their hiding spot, signaling for them to join.

Gianna stood, pulling Lando with her. "Come on, darling. Let's go congratulate them."

Lando followed her, still processing everything. As they walked toward the newly engaged couple, Gianna's heart swelled with happiness for her friends—and for the fact that she and Lando had shared this special moment together.

Under the glow of string lights that danced in the gentle breeze, Max and Pietra sat at a beautifully set table on the beach, their eyes only for each other. The waves rolled softly in the background as Gianna stood a few feet away, barefoot in the sand, microphone in hand, with her gaze steady on the couple.

She began to sing "This Town" by Niall Horan, her voice soft and rich, floating through the night. Each note carried the depth of her emotions, the words reflecting a love and tenderness that fit the occasion perfectly. Max and Pietra held hands across the table, their smiles soft and their eyes glistening in the candlelight.

Gianna sang as if the world had stilled for this very moment, her voice weaving a story of love, patience, and devotion. She kept her gaze on the couple throughout, her chest filling with warmth as Pietra leaned her head on Max's shoulder, both of them lost in the music.

When the last notes faded into the night, Gianna lowered the microphone and gave them a small smile. "To Max and Pietra," she said warmly, "may your forever be just as beautiful as tonight."

Max gave her an appreciative nod, mouthing a heartfelt "thank you," while Pietra blew her a kiss.

Gianna stepped away, letting them enjoy the rest of their evening. She made her way down the beach, where Lando was waiting a little farther off. He leaned casually against a palm tree, his hands in his pockets, a soft smile playing on his lips.

"You're incredible, you know that?" he said as she approached, his voice warm and quiet under the stars.

Gianna stopped in front of him, tilting her head. "You liked it?"

"I loved it," Lando said, stepping closer. "You have this way of making people feel everything you're singing. They're lucky to have you in their lives. I'm lucky to have you."

Gianna smiled, her heart swelling as Lando reached for her hand, threading his fingers through hers. "You know," she teased lightly, "if you keep saying things like that, you'll have to put a ring on it too."

Lando chuckled, his free hand brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Someday, darling. Someday."

They stood there under the stars for a while, the night wrapping around them as the soft sounds of the ocean filled the air. Finally, Lando pulled her close, kissing the top of her head.

"Let's go back to the house," he murmured. "Just us."

Gianna nodded, leaning into him. Together, they walked hand in hand down the beach, leaving Max and Pietra to their perfect evening as they found their own quiet corner of happiness.

            After leaving Max and Pietra to their intimate dinner on the beach,Gianna and Lando returned to their cozy Santorini villa. The evening air was warm, and the sky painted with the remnants of the sunset. Gianna, still feeling the romantic energy of the night, suggested they continue the mood with an activity at home.

"How about we have our own little wine tasting?" she proposed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "We can sample some local wines and maybe even learn a bit about them."

Lando grinned, appreciating her spontaneity. "Sounds perfect. Let's do it."

They gathered a selection of Santorini wines they'd picked up earlier in the week—Assyrtiko, Nykteri, and Vinsanto—along with some cheeses and fruits to complement the flavors. Setting up on the villa's terrace, they created a cozy nook with plush cushions and soft lighting, the distant sound of waves providing a soothing backdrop.

As they sipped each wine, Gianna read aloud descriptions from a local guidebook, attempting to identify the subtle notes and aromas. Lando, playfully competitive, tried to guess the flavors before she revealed them, leading to shared laughter and light-hearted debates.

"I think this one has a hint of... citrus?" Lando guessed, swirling the glass of Assyrtiko under his nose.

Gianna raised an eyebrow, teasingly. "Actually, it's more of a mineral taste with notes of stone fruit. But nice try."

He chuckled, leaning closer. "Guess I'll need more practice. Maybe another sip will help."

Their playful banter gradually gave way to more intimate conversations, the wine loosening their inhibitions. Gianna shared stories from her childhood, and Lando opened up about his dreams beyond racing. The connection between them deepened with each passing moment, the world outside their terrace fading away.

At one point, a drop of red wine lingered on Gianna's lip. Lando noticed, his gaze locking onto hers. Without breaking eye contact, he leaned in, gently kissing the drop away. The simple act sent a shiver down Gianna's spine, her breath hitching.

"You had a little something," he murmured against her lips, his voice low and husky.

"Did I?" she whispered back, her hands finding their way to the nape of his neck, fingers threading through his hair.

The air between them grew charged, the earlier playfulness transforming into palpable desire.

After their intimate moment on the terrace, Gianna and Lando eventually retreated to the bedroom, the night air still warm and the faint hum of the sea audible through the open window.

A little later Gianna was laying curled up under the light blanket, her head resting on Lando's chest. His arm was wrapped securely around her, his fingers absentmindedly tracing small patterns on her shoulder.

"Tonight felt... perfect," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lando glanced down at her, his lips curving into a gentle smile. "It's because of you," he replied. "You make everything feel better, Gi."

She looked up at him, her eyes warm. "You say that, but I think it's because you somehow make me feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be."

He brushed a strand of her hair away from her face and leaned down to kiss her forehead. "That's all I ever want—for you to feel safe and happy. Always."

Gianna snuggled closer, the weight of the past few days melting away. "I do, Lando," she murmured. "Even when things are hard, I do."

For a while, they stayed like that, wrapped up in each other, their breathing syncing as the room grew quieter and the night deepened. Before long, Gianna's eyes grew heavy, and she began to drift off, her hand loosely holding onto his shirt.

As her breaths evened out, Lando pressed a final kiss to the top of her head. "Goodnight, darling," he whispered, his voice soft and full of affection. Moments later, he closed his eyes, the comfort of her presence lulling him to sleep as well.

#AUTHORSNOTE

Them on vacation is the funnest thing to write about tbh, I love lando and Gi.

Thanks for reading and don't be a silent reader, I love to read your thoughts.

J