Chapter: 1710

As the dust settled at the starting line, Laney made her way back to Kailyn, her cheeks still painted with excitement.

"Cliff's kissing technique is absolutely mind-blowing! I could see from here how he-" Kailyn bubbled with enthusiasm before Laney's hand shot out to silence her.

“Just focus on the race," Laney muttered, her eyes fixed on the track ahead.

The racing circuit stretched before them like a serpentine beast, its steep turns and treacherous bends promising both glory and danger. As the vehicles vanished around the first bend, an inexplicable knot formed in Laney's stomach. "Cliff hasn't raced in ages. What if something goes wrong?”

“Worried he won't take the crown?" Kailyn teased.