Revved by Samantha Towle Page A

just want you.
    Resting my hand on my hip, I tilt my head to the side, clearing my mind of all my wanting-Carrick thoughts. “What am I in the mood for?” I purse my lips and then make my decision. “Local food.”
    He smiles. “Great choice. I know just the place to take you.”

WE DROVE FOR ABOUT FORTY MINUTES , and now, Carrick is parking on the street, near what looks to be a market.
    Carrick brought us here as he knew the way, but I’m driving back to the hotel later, and I can’t wait to get my hands on this car.
    I climb out of the car, joining Carrick on the pavement. “So, where are we going?” I ask, hooking my fingers under the strap of my bag, holding it to me, as we start to walk into the market.
    “There’s this great little place just a bit farther up.”
    As we walk along, I’m looking at the stalls and storefronts, getting distracted by all the sights and smells—fresh food, clothes, jewelry. There are street artists painting portraits and some old men sitting at a table, playing a board game that looks similar to checkers. All around is traditional-sounding music, one song fading into another.
    Then, I see this little kitschy stall lined with what looks to be Disney jewelry, and that’s when I spot it.
    “Oh my God, is that a Lightning McQueen necklace?” Stopping, I turn and walk over to the stall.
    I’m a bit of a Lightning McQueen fan. Seriously, Cars is the best Disney movie ever. Give me that over Disney princesses any day.
    As I approach closer, I see that it is definitely a Lightning McQueen necklace, and it might just be the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. It’s a little McQueen pendant hanging from a silver chain. I’m guessing the chain probably isn’t silver, and my neck will turn green after an hour of wearing it, but I don’t care because I want it.
    I curl my hand around the pendant, and I’m just about to ask the man how much it is when I feel Carrick’s heat press up behind me.
    “Why are you looking at that Cars necklace like it’s a Tiffany’s diamond?”
    I tilt my face to his. “Because to me, it is. What might be one girls’ junk is another girl’s treasure.”
    His eyes are sparkling at me in the sunlight. “So, am I to take it that you’re a Cars fan?”
    “Um, yeah.” I look at him, astonished that he even has to ask. I mean, who doesn’t like that film? “Aren’t you?”
    A smile touches his eyes. “No.”
    “What? Why not?”
    “Because I’m not five years old.”
    That earns him a jab in the ribs from my elbow.
    I stare at him, curious. “You’ve never seen the film, have you?”
    “No.”
    “How is that even possible?” I exclaim. My hand slipping from the necklace, I turn to face him.
    “Because, again, I’m not five years old.”
    I give a disappointed shake of my head. “You’re seriously missing out. And you call yourself a race car driver.” Pausing, my hands find my hips. “Seriously, you have to watch this film. It’s amazing. That’s it.” I make a decision. “We’re watching it when you’re free next.”
    He presses his lips together, and I can tell he’s holding back a smile. “What are you going to do? Buy it and force me to watch it?”
    “No, I already have it on DVD, dopey.”
    Something dawns on his face, and I realize my slip up.
    “You have it with you, don’t you?”
    My cheeks explode with color, my eyes going to my feet. “Maybe,” I mumble.
    “You travel around the world and take a Disney DVD with you, don’t you?”
    He’s dying to laugh. I can tell.
    I’m just dying because he now knows how big of a dork I am.
    “It’s my security blanket,” I say defensively.
    His fingers find my chin, lifting my face to his. His face is alight with humor. “You know, normal people actually have a real blanket for security.”
    “Are you saying I’m not normal?” I try to give sass under his scrutiny.
    “No. I’m saying you’re unique.”
    “Unique bad or unique good?” I bite my lip.
    His mouth