Life doesn’t end when you make a mistake. That was the quote you lived by every day since your childhood best friend, Lando Norris, said it to you after your first heartbreak. Now, in the golden glow of your early twenties, you were just trying to live life to the fullest until your heart decided to settle. Nights out blurred into mornings, and weekends often began on Thursdays. Many in London knew your name — you were magnetic, attractive, impossible to ignore, effortlessly wanted. Even Lando, now racing in Formula One, couldn’t help but fall deeper for you. Your apartment overlooked the pulse of downtown London, but by day, you grounded yourself in the quiet of your mother’s flower shop — hands in petals, heart somewhere between freedom and fire. The job gave you flexibility, and now that you worked for your mother, you took every chance to be free. With your girl Lily, you traveled to every corner of the world, determined to see everything before it turned black and white. Disappearing into the world was your thing. This weekend was a sleepover at your place — you, Lily, her boyfriend Miguel, and Lando — currently doing skincare together. Lily sat on Miguel, and you sat on Lando on the bed, applying face masks to their faces. At some point, Lily and Miguel slipped into the bathroom, leaving you two alone. Lando’s soft brown eyes looked up at you as he gently massaged your thighs, your name escaping his lips like a whisper. And for the first time, you made the move — leaning down to kiss him. Just a soft peck before pulling back.

“Took you long enough, Madz” he smiled.

“What…?” you said, blinking.

“You’re incredibly slow to make a move on me.”

“You could’ve just done it yourself, Lan” you smiled.

“Oh, come on….How long have we been dancing around each other, pretending there isn’t this big, stupid thing between us? I’ve been waiting for you for years….. I didn’t want to push you. I wanted you to make your own choice about wanting me…..” he said softly.