My cheeks blazed with warmth. “You coming over later?”

“Ma got off work and is grabbing me at lunch to take me to the DMV since their lines take all day. I’ll miss school this afternoon, but I’ll come by your place when I’m done—driving by myself.”

I grinned up at him, so happy to see the joy on his face. “Confident you’ll pass, aren’t you?”

“Today is going to be an amazing day. I can feel it.”

His optimism was infectious, making me giggle as he planted one more kiss on my cheek. “Alright, birthday boy. I need to get to my locker, but I’ll see you after school. Good luck!”

“Thanks, Sof!”

I shook my head as I watched him strut down the hall, saying a little prayer that everything went smoothly with his driver’s test. Nico was the best part of my life. I shared everything with him, aside from the fact that my dad was in the mafia. I’d debated over and over whether to tell him about my family but couldn’t seem to do it. I hated to mar our relationship with that side of my background. It served no purpose except as an outlet for me to vent, so I allowed the secret to remain in the dark.

At six sharp that evening, Nico showed up at my house grinning ear to ear behind the wheel of his father’s twelve-year-old Pontiac Grand Prix. I ran out to meet him, throwing my arms around his neck the second he stepped from the car.

“You did it!” I squealed as he lifted me off my feet.

“I told you I would. Did you doubt me?” he asked, easing me back to the ground.

“No, but I’ve heard horror stories about the DMV. I was just anxious for you.”

“What’s going on out here?” My father’s voice carried through the front door I’d inadvertently left wide open.

“Nico got his driver’s license today!” I announced proudly.

“More reason to stay off the roads,” my dad teased.

Nico grabbed my hand, pulling us over to where my father stood. “Mr. Genovese, I know Sofia isn’t allowed to date yet, but is there any chance I could take her to Mike’s Place for a quick dessert to celebrate?”

I sucked in my breath and peered up at my dad, pleading with all my being.

His lips thinned, and he dropped his chin. “Just a quick dessert, and this is a one-time exception because you two have been friends for so long. Your sisters had to wait until they were sixteen to date, and the same applies to you. Understood?”

I raced up the stairs and wrapped my arms around my father’s middle. “Thank you, Daddy!”

“You be safe,” he said in return, eyes trained on Nico.

“Thank you, Mr. Genovese. I’ll have her back shortly.”

We climbed in the car and made the short drive to Mike’s. At the front register, Nico surprised me by ordering two slices of chocolate cake to go.