Accidental Encounters & Intentional Matchmaking
read part two here
Pairing: James Vowles x Mercedes Legal Person!Reader
Masterlist
Warnings: romantic stuff, Kimi and George being a chaotic duo, mention of past cheating stuff, probably some typos here and there (sorry😭).
Word count: 1330
Requested by: @melissa66orion
I’m taking a walk with my closest friend on the paddock, George, he’s currently giving me an earful for taking the longest route to the Mercedes’ garage, since I don’t want to go anywhere near Williams’ garage: “Y/N, you can’t avoid Carlos forever, some day you're going to have to face him.” He says riding on his scooter, practically glaring at anyone who steps in front of his way, I laugh when some poor intern almost makes him fall when he tries to swerve. “I’m serious, if we’re late again for a meeting Toto might kill us.” He says when I stop laughing. “Okay, okay, you’re right… It’s just… It was already bad enough that his cousin was dating someone basically his age, but the fact that his cousin cheated on me… It’s humiliating, George, like with a capital H.” I say, sighing loudly, running my fingers through my hair as if that’ll fix all of my problems.
“I warned you though… But did you listen to me? No, because why would you? It’s not like I know every gossip to be known in the paddock.” He says mocking me, I turn around to face him, starting to walk backwards. Making silly faces to tease him, he starts laughing, but then: “Y/N, watch out!” He yells, but it’s too late, my back is hitting someone’s broad chest, the stranger’s hands hold onto my shoulder to make sure I don’t fall: “Sorry, I’m sorry. I should’ve been looking ahead.” I say turning around, trying to ignore George’s laugh as he continues going forward, leaving me with the handsome stranger, his dark blonde hair, dark eyes, soft stubble on his face, wrinkles adorning around his eyes and his smile, just when I notice his smile is when I realize he probably asked me something, my cheeks burn with embarrassment, I cough and ask: “Sorry… What was the question?” I try to muster a sweet smile, trying to hide just how much this 40 something years old man is swaying with my feelings already.
“I asked you name, sweetheart.” He asks smiling, now that his hands have let go of my arms, he crosses them in front of his chest, his biceps filing so nicely the empty spaces of the sleeve of his button up shirt.
“Um… I’m Y/N, I’m… I work at Mercedes… Director of the Legal Team. And I don’t think I caught your name.” I say, trying to sound as smooth as I can, which probably wasn’t a lot, since he laughed softly and I realized I really want to hear that sound more often.
“James, sweetheart. Williams’ team principal.” He says and I feel all my hopes and dreams get crushed, I shake his hand and mutter an excuse for being late to a meeting and hurry away from the most handsome man I’ve seen in a while.
When I reach Mercedes’ garage, everyone is smiling at me like they know something I don’t and I slowly walk to the meeting room, where Toto, Susie, George and Kimi are waiting for me.
“Did I miss anything important? I’m sorry for being late, someone left me all alone on the way here.” I say glaring at George, as he stares at everything but me, pretending I’m not in the room.
“Oh don’t worry, Y/N. George filled us in on your little… Mishap with James.” Susie says, smiling at me as if I told her that we just won the championship. As I look around the room confused, George finally decides to fill me in on the joke of the moment.
“So… I might’ve told them that you had the most romantic moment with James and… They approve.” He says, smiling like he had just given me the best news ever. I look at him like he’s crazy. “George, there was no ‘romantic moment’. I bumped into him and that is it.” I say putting the documents on the desk to start the meeting, but Kimi seems to have other plans. “James is single… If you’re wondering.” Kimi says giving me that sweet boy smile he has, I sigh loudly knowing my friends won’t drop this unless I give them a real answer.
“Guys, nothing will happen… I’m taking a break from relationships after my… Fiasco with Carlos Oñoro Sainz. Besides he’s Carlos’ boss, it’d be weird to be with his boss right after his cousin cheated on me… And besides, he doesn't even seem interested in me…” I say trying to hide my disappointment.
“Y/N… I’ve known James for a while and from what George said… He’s interested, you should give it a chance… Who knows…? Something good could come out of this.” Toto says, giving me one of his knowing smiles.
“Thanks, boss… I’ll think about it, for now can we just… Focus on the meeting?” I ask, trying to get this over with so I can go back to my hotel, order a huge tub of ice cream and watch corny movies to forget today happened.
I’m so focused on the documents that I don’t even realize that Kimi took my phone from my briefcase, nor do I notice his quiet conversation with George as they do something on my phone, but Susie and Toto notice and they’re amused by this. After the meeting they put my phone back on the briefcase and I start gathering the documents, George approaches me with a look on his face that tells me he did something: “What could you possibly have done? We were at this meeting for hours…” I say scratching my forehead annoyed at this antics.
“Well… Let’s just say someone has a date today thanks to me and Kimi.” He says smiling with a wide smile, glancing between me and my briefcase.
“No… You wouldn’t, George, I’ll kill you.” I say rummaging through my briefcase, desperately looking for my phone, when I unlock it, there’s a conversation open with James and the last message he sent read: “I’ll pick you up from the garage, what you were wearing was perfect and I can’t wait to see you. ;)” My jaw drops and I really consider killing George, who’s still smiling at me like an idiot.
“Thank me later, pretty stuff, go woo your man.” He says, smiling like his life isn’t on the line here, I take a look outside of the meeting room into the garage and James is already there waiting, how did he already know the meeting was over, when I hear a squeal from behind me, I connect the dots, Susie and Toto must’ve told him.
“We’ve been trying to set him up with someone for months and you’re the first person he’s shown real interest… Come on, I’ll help you get a little more fixed up for the date.” Susie says, pushing me into the bathroom to fix my hair, throw some water on my face and try my best to make this clothes look even a little less like a ‘I’m ready for work’ and more like ‘I’m so ready for this date’.
After a few good minutes, I walk out of the meeting room to find James leaning on the wall waiting for me and he looks even more handsome at night, the moon gives him a sharper edge that I hadn’t noticed before.
“Ready for the date, sweetheart?” He says, offering me his arm like a gentleman. I hold his arm softly, while trying to contain the burning sensation on my cheeks, I start laughing softly: “I thought I already told you my name…” I say, trying to keep my voice steady, but just by looking into his eyes I already know I’m doomed.
“You did, but sweetheart suits you more… Sweetheart.” He says, smiling at me like he’s enjoying this banter between us, he starts guiding me outside and I already start to feel like I owe Kimi and George a thanks, those stupid cupids.