Page 114 of Sweetheart

"This is where you want to go?" he said.

"Yeah," I said, "they have the best baked goods in town."

Sam nodded and held the door open for me. "Okay, but you know—"

"That Brisa works here? Yeah, Ido."

Turning to face him, I smiled.

"That's part of what makes it perfect."

"Care to elaborate?" he asked.

With a shrug, I placed my hands gently on his shoulders, and his automatically wrapped around my waist. I didn't even try to hold back my reaction, allowing myself to shiverand letting the warmth I always felt for him shine through my eyes. "I figured we could put all that practice to good use. Letting Brisa see us outside of school might tip her over the edge and into your arms. You know?"

Hands tightening on my hips, he said, "Good plan. There's just one problem."

"What?"

"Brisa doesn't want me back," he said.

"We'll see about that."

I leaned up and brushed a kiss against his jaw, enjoying the way it made his breath catch.

"Are you two ever going to order? Or just stand there blocking the door?" Brisa said.

Her voice held a good helping of impatience, annoyance, and dare I hope, jealousy?

Leaning back to meet Sam's eyes, I gave him a wink.

"We're ready now," I said.

I infused the words with a lightheartedness I definitely didn't feel. But this wasn't about me. It was about him. And Brisa was who he wanted, who he'd always wanted.

I needed to remember that.

No matter how much my heart clung to the hope that one day he might want me like I wanted him.

CHAPTER 17

Music was my saving grace.

As always.

When my mind was troubled, all I had to do was reach formy violin. YamiYamiwas getting a workout today. I'd been playingnearly non-stop for overan hour—and making my cousins do the same. They didn't seem to understand my need forthe healing powers of musical therapy.

"Scar, we've been at this forever," Freya said, frowning at me through the screen.

"Oh,"I said, lowering my instrument. "Do you need a break? Because youcan take one,get some water if you want. That's fine."

"Oh, well, thanks."

She rolled her eyes then walked out of frame.

"I think we should stop," Viola said. "Didn't you say you had plans?"

I nodded. "Yeah, butthey can wait. We could still get some good practice time in."

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