Page 101 of Sweetheart

"I will," I replied.

Brisa rolled her eyes. "I wasn't talking to you, Scarlett."

"Good talk as usual, Bri," Sam said. "Now, if you don't mind, I want to be alone with my girlfriend."

She shook her head, muttered, "Hope you know what you're doing," then walked away.

My brow furrowed as she left.Our interaction was odd—especially that last part—but the one between her and Cooper Hollingsworthwas awkward to say the least. Whenher now-boyfriend bent to kiss her, Brisaturned, giving him her cheek. Cooper laughed it off good-naturedly, went to pull her to him in a hug, and she deftly dodged his hands, moving like the skilled track and field star she was.Again, Cooper didn't seem to take offense, never once losing his happy grin.It was an interesting dance, but if I didn't know better—which I didn't—I'd say Brisa and he were having trouble.

"Looks like they're having some issues," I said.

"Yeah," Sam said, "I kinda saw that coming."

Frowning, I asked,"Cooper's an okay guy, right? He wouldn't do anything to hurt her—would he?"

He chuckled.

"What?"

"If Brisa knew you were worrying about her, she'd hate you even more."

"I don't get why she hates me in the first place," I mumbled. "But back to Hollingsworth. What's your take on him?"

"Cooper's cool but a little oblivious," he said."If anything I'd be worried for him, not Brisa.Trust me. Shecan take care of herself."

I gave him a small smile. "And she knows that you'd be therefor her if she ever needed you."

Henodded. "I would. And I'd be there for you too, you know."

As a friend, I mentally added.

He'd be there for me as a friend, and that was enough. It was more than enough.

It had to be.

Stepping back, I said, "What were you two talking about before?"

"Nothing important," he said.

"It sounded like something."

"Brisa just gave me some unsolicited advice."

"About?" I said.

"Like I said, it was nothing."

I wanted to ask more about their talk, but instead, I backed off. If Sam didn't want to tell me what Brisa and he werediscussing, that was fine. It was none of my business.

And yet…

"What do you have there?" he asked.

I blinked then looked down at the bag in my hand.

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot," I said then held it out to him, feeling a bitnervous. "These are for you."

"For me?"

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