You were out with your boyfriend, Lando, along with your friends and his. The group had rented out an entire bowling alley for the night—Lando’s idea. He’d been busy with racing and media the past few weeks, and tonight was his way of giving you something he’d been missing lately: real time together, fun and uninterrupted.

You loved him, and you understood what came with dating someone like him. Still, he always made sure you knew exactly how important you were to him. Tonight was no different—his hand found yours every few minutes, his eyes lingering on you like he was memorizing the moment.

Everyone was in good spirits, laughing, teasing, trying (and failing) to beat Lando’s score.

Then Magui grabbed a bowling ball and called across the lane.

“Hey, Lando!”

He glanced up mid–conversation with your friend Mia. “Yeah? What’s up?”

Magui brushed her hair behind her ear with an exaggerated smile. “If I get a strike, you get to hit.”

Your friend Mia’s eyebrows shot up so fast you heard her inhale sharply. You stared at Magui, confused, while a few of Lando’s teammates exchanged looks of disbelief.

Lando blinked. “Sorry—what?”

Magui giggled like it was some inside joke. “If I get a strike, you get to hit,” she repeated, emphasizing the last word.

Your best friend Jess muttered under her breath, “Is she for real?”

Lando looked genuinely thrown off, glancing between her and you. “Uh… hit what? The pins? The lane? What are you talking about?”

Magui rolled her eyes dramatically. “Me, Lando. Obviously.”

A tense silence fell over the group.

You felt Lando’s hand immediately find your waist as he straightened up. “Magui, what? No. I—I don’t want to. And even if I did, why would you say that?”

She shrugged, trying to play it off. “It’s just a game.”

Jess scoffed loudly. “Yeah, a stupid one.”

Mia crossed her arms. “Read the room, Magui.”

Lando shook his head, still frowning. His voice softened when he turned to you, instinctively pulling you closer. “I’m here with my girlfriend. Why would you even joke like that?”

Your heart warmed at the way he said girlfriend, firm and certain.

Magui huffed, embarrassed. “Okay, okay, relax. It was just a joke.”

“It wasn’t funny,” Lando said flatly.