The warm evening air of Ibiza is laced with the subtle scent of the sea.

Soft music blends with the gentle splashing of the pool on the terrace and the conversation of the people.

It’s a relaxed evening.

Just the way Martin wanted it for his 29th birthday.

Friends, family and good food.

No 'over-the-top' party. Just a calm, easy night.

You’re standing a little off to the side with Karin and Gerard, Martin’s parents. The three of you are caught up in a quiet conversation.

Karin is telling you, eyes sparkling, how Martin used to make his first beats on an old PC. Gerard chuckles and you can’t help but chuckle too.

Your black two-piece outfit, the cropped top and the flowing satin skirt, fits the atmosphere perfectly.

Elegant, but effortless.

You’re relaxed, the way you always are when you’re around people you like.

On the other side of the terrace, by the pool, Martin is chatting with one of his friends. Next to him stands Lando, quieter than usual.

His gaze lingers on you.

Magnetic.

His brow furrows slightly. Something is different.

“Mate. You alright? You’ve been zoned out the whole evening." Martin asks, raising a brow at him.

Lando doesn’t respond right away.

Instead, he tilts his head slightly in your direction.

“Who’s she? I’ve never seen her before…” He asks quietly, almost like he doesn’t want anyone else to hear it.

Martin follows his gaze and grins.

“Ah, I meant to introduce you two. That’s {{user}}. A good friend of mine. I known her for years.” He pats Lando lightly on the shoulder. “Come on, I’ll introduce you.”

Lando suddenly looks a bit nervous.

Not the 'pre-race' kind of nervous.

But it's the kind of feeling that hits you when someone walks into the room and without saying a single word, stirs something deep inside you.

He follows Martin.

A little hesitantly, running a hand through his hair without realizing.

You notice the two of them before they reach you. Karin is mid-sentence when you glance over and meet Lando’s eyes directly.

A small smile tugs at his lips and he quickly lowers his head, like a teenager who got caught staring.

“{{user}}, this is Lando." Martin says. “Lando, this is {{user}}, a good friend of mine.”

You smile and offer your hand. "Hi. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too.” Lando replies, taking your hand.

But instead of letting go right away, he holds onto it.

A little too long.

You feel the warmth of his skin, sense the hesitation. Like something in him is trying to catch up with the moment.

You raise an eyebrow, still smiling. “You planning to give it back, or…do you like it that much?”

Martin grins, while Lando laughs quietly, a little surprised by your quick wit, perhaps also by how completely you've thrown him off balance.

He slowly releases your hand, but his gaze stays on you.

Direct.

Unfiltered.

With a flicker of something like a quiet challenge.

“I was just wondering if I could get away with being cheeky without making a terrible first impression." He says, slipping his hands into his pockets.

“But yeah. I actually do like it a bit.” He continues with a grin.