Aside from her grandfather, Juniper had never been hugged by a man before. A strange, indescribable feeling shot through her, and her mind went nk. She was still in her racing suit, her helmet on. How on earth did Shanley recognize her?


    Shanley said nothing, just held her as if she were a priceless treasure he had almost lost forever.


    "Ahem..." Juniper finally managed a weak cough as her lungs began to protest. She poked a single finger into his chest.


    "Let go", she thought. "It would be ironic to survive a fiery explosion only to be suffocated in his arms."


    "Sorry." Shanley immediately released her. His handsome face was still pale, and his voice was unbelievably hoarse. "Are you hurt anywhere?"


    “No, but.....” Juniper shook her head, then pulled a few pieces of candy from her pocket. Her voice was muffled and indignant. "They''re... all... crushed!"


    Shanley had bought her this candy himself! She hadn''t even eaten a single piece!


    Shanley stared at her. At a time like this, she was worried about candy? He didn''t know whether tough or be angry.


    "As long as you''re okay," he finally said, a wave of relief washing over him. His voice softened. "As for the candy, I''ll buy you more. As much as you want.”


    "Oh," Juniper mumbled, her anger subsiding.


    "Aren''t you hot?" Shanley''s gaze fell on the heavy helmet on her head, and he frowned. "Shouldn''t you go to the lounge and change?"


    The area was in chaos, with everyone moring to get a glimpse of J. Her racing suit was far too conspicuous.


    "Mmm," Juniper nodded. She wasn''t ready to reveal her identity just yet.


    "Let''s go." A faint smile touched Shanley''s lips as he instinctively took her hand his brow furrowing slightly. "We should also check on Kurt white we''re at it."


    As Shanley''s hand closed around hers, a warm current flowed through her, and her longshes fluttered.


    When he noticed she wasn''t moving, Shanley turned back, realizing he had acted without thinking. He started to let go. "Sorry, I was just... afraid of losing you."


    Those few minutes while he waited for her to emerge from the fire had felt like centuries. For the first time, he understood what true terror felt like.


    Hearing his words and seeing his pale face, Juniper pursed her lips and quickly grabbed his hand before he could pull away.


    "Then you can keep holding it," she said softly.


    “Hmm?” Shanley''s eyebrows lifted, surprised by her initiative. His eyes stared intently at her.


    "Are you going to hold it or not?" A blush crept up Juniper''s cheeks. She turned her head away, trying to act nonchnt.


    “I am,” Shanley''s lips curved into a gentle smile as he led her toward the lounge.


    The race rules stated that the lounge was forpetitors only.


    "You go change. I''ll go to the medical office and check on Kurt," Shanley said. He had heard that when Kurt found out about J''s ident, he had


    nearly crawled to the track after the doctor refused to let him go.


    “Okay,” Juniper nodded. After they parted ways, she headed for the lounge. She had


    only taken a few steps when a man''s voice called out from a nearby corner.


    "J!"


    Melvin? Juniper was surprised to see him. When her car was on fire, he was the only one who had tried to save her. Dight he want to win the championship? Why would he risk his life for her? He should have been on the track, waiting for the official results.