Page 111 of Sweetheart

"I don't doubt that—but I think we both know she's not who I meant."

I looked away, avoiding his gaze, and wavedat Mrs. Primm as she shepherded the kids toward the parking lot. Once they were gone, I took a deep breath, turned back to Sam and lifted my shoulders.

"You still up for the next lesson?" Isaid, fully aware I was asking him to kiss me again. It would bea nice distraction from all these confusing feelings. "We could probably fit in another pretend date too."

"Sure," Sam said.

While we were walking, he slipped his hand into mine.

"Hey."

He waited until I looked at him.

"You've done a good thing here, Kent.Thanks for letting me be a small part of it."

"Thanks for wanting to be part of it," I said quietly.

#

I was right.

Kissing Sam was just the distraction I needed.

Or it would be.

If we ever got started.

Sam seemed skeptical of my plan.

"I have so many questions," he said.

"Okay," I said.

Sam glanced at the bookshelves surrounding us before his gaze landed back on me. "Why the library?"

"I hear it's a good make-out spot."

Sam chuckled.

"What?It's true."

"Oh, I know," he said. "Itjust sounded funny, the way you said that."

I crossed my arms. "It's on my list."

"Number 13."Sam gave a nod. "I remember."

"That's right," I said slowly. "Did you memorize my list, Bishop?"

He cocked a brow. "Maybe."

It kind of blew my mind, the idea that Sam took the time to commit my list to memory.But I shook it off, knowing I needed to stay focused.

"What's the phone for again?" he asked next.

"I told you," I said. "Setting an alarm will make sure we go long enough.That we don't finish too early."

Sam stepped forward, erasing the space between us, and my breath hitched.

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