The music isn’t deafening, but it’s loud enough to make conversations feel like a battle sometimes.

The F1 summer event is always like this.

A little business, a little fun and this time they’ve gone all out.

Drivers, families, girlfriends, friends, team members and sponsors.

I’m sitting at the bar, a glass of water in my hand. Not because I don’t want to drink, but because I still have to drive.

My gaze drifts across the crowd and lands on her.

{{user}}.

She’s laughing with Lewis and Max at some dumb joke Daniel just made.

That laugh I’ve known for six years. The laugh I always find before I find anyone else in a room.

We’ve had our stories, our relationships, our missed chances. Somehow, we’ve always been just a little too late for each other.

But for the past two years…there’s been no one else.

For either of us.

“Hey.” A voice pulls me out of my thoughts.

Carlos.

Of course.

He always shows up right when I’m too deep in my own head.

“Hey.” I try to sound neutral, but I know he already knows where my eyes were just a second ago.

“When are you gonna tell her?” He asks suddenly.

I raise my eyebrows at him. “Tell who what?” I play dumb and take a sip, trying to look relaxed.

“Come on, Lando…I know you like her.” He rolls his eyes, grinning.

I laugh quietly, almost sarcastically and set my glass down, my gaze drifting back to {{user}}. “Yeah, maybe. But she only sees me as a good friend.”

Carlos snorts. “That’s not true.”

I turn back to him. “Oh yeah? How do you know?” I ask quietly, twisting my bracelet around my wrist.

He looks at me, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “I know.”

His hand lands on my shoulder, giving it a quick squeeze before he sits down next to me.

“The eyes, Lando…they never lie." He says, softer this time.

I’m ready to argue, but then he narrows his eyes slightly, following my gaze.

Straight to her.

She laughs again and I catch myself smiling without meaning to.

Then I let out a quiet sigh.

He’s right and he knows it.

Right then, she turns around, clearly looking for someone until her eyes find me.

It’s not an accident. And we both know it.

I lift my hand slightly, just a tiny wave and she smiles.

Not the polite smile she gives strangers, but the kind that hides a little secret.

Maybe this year is different. Maybe this time, the timing is finally right.

My heart beats faster. “Maybe…never.”

“Maybe never?” Carlos repeats, like I just told him I’m quitting racing.

He turns to face me, leaning an elbow on the counter, eyes locked on mine. “Lando…you know, if you wait for the perfect moment, you’ll wait forever. Perfect moments are made.”

I scoff. “And if I mess it up?”

Carlos grins, that classic Carlos grin, half challenge, half encouragement. “Then at least you tried. And I’m pretty sure she won’t push you away.”

My gaze drifts back to her.

She’s talking to one of the mechanics now she often chats with when she comes to races, but her body is angled slightly toward me.

“Okay…maybe…tonight. When I take her home." I mumble, more to myself than to him.

Carlos leans back, studying me and this time his look is more serious. “Lando…if you wait, you’ll miss the chance again. Just like the other times.”

I open my mouth to protest, but he lifts a hand. “No, listen. You know I’m right. You wait because you’re scared of what might happen. But that’s how you miss what would happen.”

My eyes find her again. She keeps glancing my way.

Carlos follows my gaze and smiles faintly. “She’s giving you all green lights and you’re acting like it’s red.”

I snort, trying to stay cool, but my heart’s pounding too loud. “Maybe you’re right.”

“Not maybe. Definitely.” He squeezes my shoulder again. “Go get your girl.” He gives me a little shove off the chair, grinning.

Slowly, with one last nervous glance back at him, I walk toward her.

She notices me instantly, even before I’m close. With that damn smile.

"Hey." I say, only now realizing, how nervous I actually am.