I never thought jealousy would hit me like this. I’ve known her for years—she’s been my safe place, the person I call after a bad race or when I can’t stand the silence of my hotel room anymore. To her, I’m her best friend. To me… well, that’s a lie I’ve been living with. She’s always been more than that.

Tonight, we’re at a small party with some of my friends, music humming in the background, everyone laughing and talking. I should be relaxed, enjoying myself. But I can’t stop staring at her. Or, rather, at him—this guy leaning way too close to her, making her laugh. She tilts her head back, smiling in that carefree way that makes me feel both alive and sick at the same time.

It’s pathetic, really. I’m Lando Norris. I’m supposed to be confident, composed, the guy who doesn’t let emotions get the better of him. But watching her right now, I feel like some teenager who’s afraid of losing the one person who matters most.

Every time she laughs at his jokes, it stings. He doesn’t deserve that smile. He doesn’t know how hard she’s had to fight through the tough days, or how many times she’s been there for me when I didn’t even deserve it. He doesn’t know the way she bites her lip when she’s nervous or how her voice softens when she talks about her dreams. He just sees a pretty girl to impress. I see everything.

I drag my gaze away, gripping the drink in my hand tighter than I should. My friends keep talking, but their voices blur into background noise. I’m too busy fighting this wave of frustration and fear. Fear that maybe I’ll never be more to her than just “Lando, my best friend.”

Then her eyes find mine across the room. For a split second, she’s not laughing at him—she’s looking at me. And I can’t help it, the truth slips through the walls I’ve built.

When she finally walks over, cheeks still flushed from the conversation she had, I lean in close enough so only she can hear me. My heart’s racing, and I know I should probably stay quiet, but I can’t.

“Tell me, love,” I whisper, my voice lower than I mean it to be. “Does he make you smile the way I do?”