The Long Island Raceway stretched out before us under the afternoon sun, the asphalt shimmering with heat. The roar of engines filled the at, borgin – back memories I’d thought long buried. Astrid and I stood in our racing suits, and for a moment, I felt nineteen again.
Remember your last time here?” Astrid’s voice was gentle.
1 nodded, my that tight. “How could I forget? Haven’t touched a car since Rachel’s accident.”
She bumped my shoulder lightly. I never dared bring you to places like this before. But now that you’re free… She gestured at the track. “Rachel brought us here to blow off steam, remember? It’s time to remember who you were before the Parkers.”
A smile tugged at my lips despite myself. “You’re right.”
I was a scared country girl back then, working part–time at a local clinic, until Rachel Hayes swept into my life like a whirlwind. She’d taught me everything, Then came the accident, and everything changed.
“Well, well!” A voice cut through my thoughts. Astrid Wilson!”
Astrid and I turned toward the sound. One of the men at the center of the group was waving at us.
“Felix Thompson!” Astrid smiled warmly. “Didn’t
expect to see you here!”
The man nodded. “It’s been a while. His gaze shifted to me in my red racing suit, and I saw his eyes widen with obvious admiration.
In the next moment, he pushed past his circle of admirers and strode toward us with confident steps, his smile bright and charming. And who’s this lovely friend you’ve brought?”
Astrid’s lips curved into a graceful smile as she made the introductions. “This is my good friend, Audrey Sinclair.”
Then she turned to me with a playful wink. “And this is Felix Thompson, the Thompson family heir who just returned from his extended European studies a few days ago.”
–
I couldn’t help but recall what I knew about him a childhood friend of Blake’s, more interested in racing than academics, recently summoned home by an ultimatum from his father. The Thompson family had deep ties with Parker Group, but due to his studying abroad, he was unaware of my relationship with
Blake.
“A pleasure, Miss Sinclair.” His smile widened. “Though I must say, I’m surprised Astrid’s kept such a lovely friend hidden away.”
*Congratulations on completing your studies, Mr. Thompson,” I replied diplomatically, watching embarrassment flicker across his features.
He turned to Astrid. “You’ve been telling tales about me, haven’t you? How else would she know about that?”
‘Please,” Astrid laughed, “your reputation precedes you.”
“My reputation?” He raised an eyebrow. “Or your gossip?”
The banter continued as we made our way toward the track. Felix’s friends had drifted closer, openly curious about the newcomer in their midst. I could feel their assessing gazes, wondering who this unknown/woman was who’d caught their leader’s attention.
‘I haven’t seen you in the New York racing circuit before, Felix said, his tone carefully casual. “Are you new to this?”
Before I could respond, Astrid jumped in. “She’s a rookie. Want to race against her?”
I could see the fire in Felix’s eyes. “A race? Well, we should make it interesting then.” He gestured to the high–end watch on his wrist. “If you win, this is yours. If I win… you add me on Instagram Simple enough?”
I could hear his friends muttering among themselves: “Classic Felix, asking for socials like that.”
1/2
Chapter 34
That watch is at least several hundred thousand.
Like any rookie’s going to beat him he spent more time racing in Europe than studying.
What they couldn’t know was that their “rookie” had once been one of the best amateur racers in New York.
As I checked over the car Astrid had arranged, I heard Felix whisper to himself, “If she wins inday, I’m definitely pursuing her
I barely could stifle my laugh. If he only knew who I really
was
the secret wife of his childhood friend.
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