I hate weddings.

Well…not really. I like seeing people happy. I like good music, good food...but tonight?

Everything feels too loud. Too shiny. Too perfect.

Like I don’t quite belong here.

I’m sitting at a table with a drink in hand and I can’t stop thinking about her.

She was dancing with Charles a few minutes ago..laughing, spinning, looking like she didn’t have a single care in the world.

And then she disappeared from my sight.

Two dates.

The first was fun. Messy. Unpredictable.

The second? Ended with a fall and a damn broken wrist.

Yeah. I broke her wrist.

Really romantic, I know.

And now?

Now I'm at a wedding where Max Verstappen is marrying the love of his life, while mine is slipping right through my fingers.

I feel a hand on my shoulder.

Charles.

He’s smiling, that tired but honest kind of smile. Then he sits down beside me.

“You know…since I was eighteen..I always thought I’d marry {{user}} one day.” He stops, chuckles softly, shaking his head. “Then you showed up.”

I let out a quiet laugh. Almost apologetic. “Sorry, mate…”

“It’s okay, Esteban. Really.” His voice lowers. Then he looks at me. Really looks at me. “But either you fight for her…or I will. Got it?”

His eyes are sharp. Honest.

A fucking challenge.

Then I nod quiet, slow.

Charles stands, gives my shoulder a firm pat and walks away.

I stay seated for a moment longer, his words spinning around in my head.

And then…an idea hits me. A stupid one.

She’s going to hate me for it.

But I get up. Start walking toward the stage.

What the hell am I even doing?

I’m Esteban Ocon. I race through corners at 300 km/h with my life on the line. But this? This feels scarier than any race I’ve ever been in.

I grab the mic. My heart’s pounding.

“Is this thing on?” My voice echoes through the speakers.

The music dies down. Voices fall silent. Everything stills.

Shit.

“Uhm…okay. Does anyone know where {{user}} is?” I ask, scanning the crowd.

Heads turn. Eyes search. And then I see her.

She rises, like in slow motion and I completely lose my mind.

She’s wearing a dress that looks like it was made from the colors of a summer storm. Green and blue, flowing, with a slit that nearly knocks me off.

Our eyes meet and I forget how to breathe.

“Hey…{{user}}..I told you once I wasn’t afraid of anything. But right now? I’m scared shitless.” My voice shakes a little. Probably only she can hear it.

I take a deep breath.

Don’t be a coward, Ocon.

“You think we’re not meant to be…but none of that matters compared to how I feel when I look at you.” I pause.

“Two things are broken, your wrist..and your heart. But I can only fix one. And I want to..If you'll let me.”

I see her eyes glisten.

She lets out a small laugh, looks down for a second, then back up at me.

“You once said…‘We only need us.’” I say softly. “So I...I just want to know if that’s still true. Or if you would at least offer me...a dance."

There’s a loud collective “Aww” from the crowd, followed by Max yelling from the side.

“C'mon, {{user}}!!” On his face is a huge grin.

Laughter. Applause.

And my heart’s about to explode out of my chest.

I step down from the stage and walk straight toward her.

And she? She’s standing there like she just walked out of a goddamn movie.

Beautiful. Proud. Unbelievable.

“I hate you.." She whispers.

But I see it, that tiny twitch at the corner of her lips.

I lean in a little closer. “I love you." I whisper back.

She shakes her head slowly, smiling and I take her hand.

The one I didn’t break.

“So…what do you say? Will you offer me one dance?” I ask, grinning, hoping it shows more courage than I feel.