Page 165 of Revv

Somewhere between Tampa and Miami, I stopped making him work for every scrap of attention.

Now I’m walking beside him with our fingers laced together like this has somehow become normal.

It kind of has.

We duck into shops whenever the heat gets annoying. I buy sunglasses I don’t need. Revel finds the ugliest tourist shirt in Miami and actually considers it.

“If you buy that, I’m walking ten feet behind you.”

“You try it and I’m throwing you over my shoulder.”

I put it back for him.

Eventually, I spot a pet store and somehow Guac ends up with a tiny gold collar with an avocado charm, more treats, and a ridiculous pair of sunglasses Revel slips onto the counter.

“You do know he’s going to hate those.”

“Probably, but still worth the picture.”

Unfortunately, I agree.

Outside, the afternoon heat has softened and the breeze coming off the water finally makes walking bearable. Revel takes the shopping bag from me, and a few blocks later, he suddenly disappears into a little antique store.

“Hold up, Mama. Stay right here.”

I stop. “Why?”

“Two seconds.”

Before I can ask anything else, he disappears inside the jewelry store.

Suspicious as fuck.

A few minutes later, he comes back out with a small box in his hand.

I look at it, then at him. “No.”

His mouth twitches. “You haven’t even opened it.”

“Exactly. Still no.”

He holds it out anyway.

I stare at him for a second, then take it.

Inside is a delicate gold chain with a tiny wave hanging from it.

My thumb brushes over the charm.

“Why a wave?”

“Figured it could remind you of getting in the ocean even when you were scared as shit.” His expression softens. “If you can do that, you can handle a lot more than you think.”

My chest tightens.

“And if I can’t?”

His fingers close around mine.