Page 144 of Sweetheart

"You're an idiot," she said.

My brows pinched. "You're smiling, so I think you liked saying that."

"Not going to lie. I did." Brisa shook her head. "Anyway, Sam is in love with you. He always has been."

"What?"

"Sam. Is. In. Love. With. You," she repeated.

"No, he's not," I said. "He's in love with you."

"What makes you say that?"

"Well, you guys dated for three years—"

Brisa chuckled.

"—and he agreed to help with my list just to get you back. We made a deal, started Scam specifically for that purpose," I said. "The evidence is clear."

"Listen, I have no idea what list or deal you're talking about," she said. "ButSam and myrelationship was only for show. The romance part anyway."

Seeing my look of disbelief, she rolled her eyes.

"You've heard of beards, right?"

"Like facial hair?"

"No, Scarlett," she said. "Like,I used Sam to keep other guys and girls away. I'm using Cooper forthe same reason."

"Why?"

Brisa shrugged. "Because I'm not interested."

"In guys or girls?"

"Inanyone," she said. "Labels don't appeal to me, andI didn't want to spend my entire high school years explaining myself."

"I understand that," I said.

"I'm not sure you do," she said. "But the point is, this is my choice. I didn't want to tell anyone. Not until I'm ready." Brisa fluttered her hands at me. "Sam knows, though, so it's fine."

"He does?"

"Yeah, and he never made me feel bad or like there was something wrong with me." Brisa sighed. "I think that might be why I love him so much."

"That, I definitely understand," I said.

Her gaze came back to meet mine. "What you heard freshman year, it wasn't what you think. Thatwas Sam telling me he loves you."

I frowned.

"His feelings for you were so strong they hurt," she said. "You were his best friend, Scarlett. How could you not see it?"

At her explanation, I heard Sam's words differently for the first time.

Being around Scarlett, it hurts.

It's physically painful.

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