Chapter 29

**Audrey's POV**

The Long Island Raceway stretched out before us under the afternoon sun.the asphalt shimmering with heat. The roar of engines filled the air,bringing 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 timne here?" Astrid's voice was gentle.

I nodded, my throat 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 youar 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."

"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" hadonce 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 today, 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.

"Get ready to be amazed," Astrid called out, helping me with the safety harness. Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Audrey, show them what you've got!"

"It's been years," I murmured, my hands running over the familiar contours of the steering wheel. "What if I mess up?"

"You won't," she said firmly. "You were always the steady one, remember?The one Rachel and I could count on to keep us from doing anything too crazy. Even after all these years, beating Felix will be child's play."

I smiled despite my nerves. "I'll try my best."

The engine roared to life beneath me, a deep, powerful rumble that sent vibrations through my entire body. Memories flooded back - endless summer afternoons spent mastering every turn of tracks like this, the pure joy of speed and control.

Felix's car stopped beside me. Through the window, I could see his confident grin. He probably thought this would be an easy victory-a way to impress the mysterious newcomer while entertaining his friends.

The starting girl raised her flag, the setting sun catching on her sequined outfit. My world narrowed to the track ahead, everything else fading into background noise. This wasn't about Felix or his watch or even proving anything to anyone. This was about reclaiming a part of myself I'd locked away for far too long.

The flag dropped.

I hit the accelerator, feeling the car surge forward. During the whole race,I was driving by my instinct. I drifted through every bend with pinpoint accuracy,my eyes fixed on the road stretching ahead. I could hear Rachel's voice in my head, reminding me about weight transfer, about finding the perfect line.

When I crossed the finish line, several car lengths ahead of Felix, the silence was absolute. His friends stood frozen, mouths agape. Even Astrid looked slightlystunned by the margin of victory.

Felix emerged from his car slowly, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "Well," he said, walking toward me with a mix of admiration and rueful amusement, "I guess I should have known better than to trust Astrid's definition of 'rookie."

I stepped out of my car, feeling lighter than I had in years. "To be fair, it has been a long time since I raced."

"Clearly not long enough for you to forget how." He unstrapped his watch and held it out. "A deal's a deal."

"Now that's what I call putting your money where your mouth is!" She plucked the watch from Felix's outstretched hand with a theatrical flourish.

"Good to see some things about you haven't changed,Felix."

His laughter was genuine, though his eyes never left my face. I couldn't help but notice how different his attention felt from the calculating gazes I'd grown used to in New York's social circles. There was something almost refreshing about his unconcealed admiration - no hidden agendas, just pure appreciation for a skilled opponent.

"You know," I said, pulling out my phone, "Astrid wasn't entirely honest earlier. I'm hardly a rookie." I displayed my contact information with a slight smile. "Consider this a fair exchange for such an... entertaining afternoon."

The spark of interest in his eyes brightened considerably as he reached for his phone. I noticed his hands were still trembling slightly from the adrenaline of the race - or perhaps something else entirely.

"I should find Astrid," I said after we'd exchanged contacts.

"Wait!" He stopped me. "How about a photo together? To commemorate

this unexpected defeat?"

There was something genuine about his enthusiasm that made me pause.

After a moment's hesitation, I nodded.

He stepped closer, holding up his phone. The camera captured both of us.

"What are you planning to do with that photo?" I asked.

Felix's eyes sparkled with mischief as'he tucked his phone away."That's a secret."