Page 179 of Revv

“I know, I was talking to Revel.”

He grins. “I got her, ma’am.”

My heart gives one stupid, traitorous squeeze.

Mom doesn’t miss a beat. “Good boy.”

Oh.

Fuck both of them.

“Okay, goodbye. This conversation is over.”

She laughs. “Te quiero, mija.”

“Te quiero también.”

“And Revel, nice talking to you.”

“You too. See you Saturday.”

I hang up and let the phone fall onto my stomach.

For maybe three seconds, the car is quiet.

Then Revel looks over at me with the happiest fucking grin I’ve seen on him all week.

I squint. “Why do you look like you just got invited to the fucking Met Gala?”

“Your mom likes me.”

“You spoke to her for four minutes. She doesn’t know you yet.”

His hand slides from my ankle up my calf, giving it a squeeze. “She invited me to dinner. Sounds serious.”

“Do not make it weird.”

“Mama, I’m meeting your mom.” His grin somehow gets even bigger. “I’m allowed to be a little fucking excited.”

And there goes that warm feeling again.

I turn toward the window before he catches the smile pulling at my mouth, but there’s no hiding the way my whole body feels softer all of a sudden.

Saturday.

After the race.

Dinner with Mom.

Revel sitting at her table.

Actual plans waiting for us back in Tampa.

For once, instead of picking apart what any of it means, I let myself enjoy the fact that I’m looking forward to it.

By the time we turn onto my street, the sun has dropped lower and everything has that warm late-afternoon glow that makes even regular neighborhoods look softer around the edges.

My house comes into view.