Page 1 of Sweetheart

CHAPTER 1

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that book boyfriends are better than real ones.

Seriously, someone should put that on a t-shirt.

Maybe it could be me—if I ever made it out of this alive.

Now, I wouldn't call myself a dramatic person per se. If she were here, my older sister, Charlotte, might disagree.

But she wasn't here.

In fact, there wasn't another soul in sight.

It was just me, walking on the side of a deserted road at night. By myself. In an unfamiliar area. I'd watched one too many true crime shows and could just hear the coverage now.

Scarlett Kent. 17. Female.

Last seen leaving a wedding party in Chariot, North Carolina, where she'd been hired to play her violin for hours…only for the bride and groom to stiff her at the end of the night, claiming they'd "pay her later when it was more convenient." Her car was found broken down and abandoned about 30 minutes from the wedding venue.A piece of uneaten wedding cakewas inside. Scarlett and her beloved violin were nowhere to be seen.

I felt the reassuring weight of my violin case in one hand, my bow in the other.My unreliable phone that never held a charge and always seemed to die at the most inconvenient times(like now) was tucked into my bra.I only had two hands.The decision to ditch the cake was difficult but necessary.If I was kidnapped—or worse—I was taking my Yamahawith me.This violin was my kindred spirit.We'd been through too much, seen too much together for me to leave her behind.

Picturing an imaginary foe, I stabbed my bow at the air in front of me.

Plus, I could do major damage with this instrument if provoked. No onebettermess with me. I had a weapon.

Of sorts.

Remembering the stupid groom's words, I stabbed angrily at the air again. They'd pay me later? Yeah right, I'd heard that one before. When you were a musician, especially a young and aspiring musician, you took the jobs you could get.

Even if they were over an hour away and located at a venue that could only be reached using shady backroads.

Dusk had fallen when I left the safety of my car behind, hoping to find cell service, but any light that remained was quickly swallowed by the night.My phone died shortly after.Now, the onlyguide I had were the stars.

Bright, beautiful, cold…

I shivered as the news coverage started up again in my mind.

When they finally located the body,it was discovered she'd been listening to a romance audiobook, heavy on the swoon, hints of spice, featuring one of her favorite book boyfriends.Her fictional love was with her to the end.Obviously, she didn't have a boyfriend in real life. Who had the time?

Not this girl, I thought.

Real people could let you down. Books were always there when you needed them—just like music.

I kicked a rock out of my path and trudged ahead.

When asked for a description of Scarlett Kent, guests of the wedding said, "She looked kind of like a blueberry. Round, fluffy, lots of tulle."

Did I mention I was wearing a poofy concoction of a dress that was part pageant girl, part Disney princess reject, and heels that dug into the backs of my feet?

I was slashing my bow at nothing, muttering about Bridezillas and their demanding requests, totally in my head…

…when suddenly, I heard something.

The sound of an engine approachedfrom behind. I saw the headlights next asthe car drew closer.

My back stiffened, half-hoping they would stop, half-hoping they wouldn't.

Reasons You Should Never Get in a Car with a Stranger

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