sparks fly | m.verstappen

twenty-six

XXVI. Her Giliw

AUSTIN: October 2023

FP3 and Quali: Angel found herself escaping her father. This was thanks to Marcus pulling Rafael to meet the mechanics in Aston Martin. This gave the senior reporter the chance to visit the Redbull garage.

She was instantly greeted and welcomed by the people there, but clearly they knew why she was there. Pointing her to the direction of the Dutch driver, Angel's heart started hammering in her chest.

It was as though her nerves were pumped with adrenaline. It was a dizzy feeling but she had to. She needed to talk to Max, after what he said that morning, she needed to tell him.

But when she reached him, when he saw her, when he smiled, it was as if her mind went blank. All the words she rehearsed the night prior were gone.

"Evie?" Max asked as he held the helmet in his hands. But she stared at him, still frozen in time. He chuckled and grabbed her hand.

Angel was pulled out of the trance that was his blue eyes. She gulped and held his hand. Max furrowed his eyebrows, confused at how she was acting.

"Is there something wrong Evie?"

"No. Everything is completely fine."

Max let out a sigh of relief, "Then why are you staring at me?" he asked. Angel couldn't help but smile, "Because, I can't stop thinking about what you said the other day." she admitted.

"Sorry to make you overthink." Max said innocently. She huffed and intertwined their fingers, "That's the thing, me overthinking made me realize the words I want to tell you in response to all the sweet things you told me." she said with a huff.

The Dutch driver smiled excitedly, "Yeah? Can you tell me now?" he asked. She glanced around, realizing how everyone was prepping for free practice, she smirked.

"You know what, after quali, I'll tell you." she said. Max groaned and pushed her hair behind her ear, "You are such a teaser." he said.

She laughed and shrugged, "You haven't seen me actually tease." she said with a wink. Max's cheeks grew red as he started to stutter making her laugh more.

"Anyway, I'll see you later." she said as she let go of his hand. Before she could even move, Max grabbed her arm, "You'll interview us again?" he asked, clearly there mischief behind his eyes. She rolled her eyes and shook her head, "Lissie is assigned post race." she said with a chuckle.

"Aww damn. I had some things planned." he said with a sly smirk. Angel snickered, "I know. I'll see you later Emi." she said before moving to him, doing something that shocked both her and the rest of the people that were around them.

Max felt her lips on his cheeks, "Good luck Emi."

"That was quite the performance Max. Congratulations on pole." Lissie said with a chuckle. Max smiled wide and nodded, "Yes well, inspiration and drive brings you to where I am." he admitted.

His eyes were looking through the different reporters that were behind the junior reporter. "Inspiration? Do you want to share something about that?" she asked with a smirk.