Page 141 of Sweetheart

"Accurate," I said.

"Then maybe you should," she said.

I was already shaking my head. "I think we'reokay. I said what I needed to say, told him the truth…mostly."

Charlotte scoffed.

"And I don't think it matters much anyway."

"Because you're still planning to break up with him," she finished.

"Exactly."

"How's that going?"

I sighed. "Sometimes, you can be so irritating."

Four dayshad passed. I'd fully recovered from my cold-fever-mystery-illness, and I was caught up on schoolwork. The only thing I'd procrastinated on was ending things with Sam.I tried again and again to bring it up. But Sam always ran off, claiming he had to get to class, soccer practice, the garage, home to look after the twins. Once, Isuggested that we talk about how to end our deal, and Sam effectively distracted me with a kiss.My sister knew allthis. She was just too perceptive—and stubborn—to leave it alone.

"I'm working up to it," I said.

"Scar, I know you don't want to hear this."

"Then maybe don't say it?"

She continued anyway. "But I think you should go back to Sam, tell him how you feel, kiss him like you love him—which you do—and live happily ever after. Boom."

"Boom?" I repeated with a smile.

"Yeah," Charlotte said. "I think all the best ideas end with boom. Don't you? Maybe that'llbe my new thing."

I couldn't stop my laughter. "Let me know how that goes."

"Shut up."

As the seconds passed, my smile dimmed. "You're forgetting one very important part of the story."

"What's that?"

"Bam," I said, "as inBrisaand Sam. The girl he's actually in love with."

Charlotte wasn't having it. "Has he ever said that?"

"What?"

"Brisa. Has Sam ever once said he's in love with her?"

My brows pinched as I tried to remember. "I'm sure he has," I said. "He must have."

"Hmmm, unless you're wrong."

I sniffed. "Hardly ever the case."

"I think this is that one time out of a hundred, Scar.Sam is your person."

I wish, I thought.

My chest panged like it always did when I thought of him—but I couldn't get too caught up in my feelingsbecause I had something else to discuss with Charlotte. Something exciting.

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