Page 148 of Sweetheart

"You're simply the best," Sam went on. "Did you get it, Kent?"

"I got it," I said.

"Thank goodness."

Sam kissed me, and I didn't know where he stopped and I began. Itwas like a song. I moved my lips against his, making music only the two of us could hear. He sipped up my sighs, breathing me in like oxygen.For a moment, he just rested his head against mine, and I smiled, feeling so happy my heart could hardly take it.

"I love you, Scarlett," he said softly, the words brushing against my lips. "You know that, right?

"I do," I said through the lump in my throat.

"Good, just making sure."

I was too stunned to speak, too content to move. Sam loved me, and I didn't know what to do with myself. I had to tell him. I knew I did. But the words were stuck somewhere between my heart and my lips.

"Hey, sorry to interrupt," Hayden said, and Sam and I broke apart with a smile.

"No problem," Sam said. "What's up?"

"I've got to get Maggie back in about an hour."

"Okay."

"Scarlett, are you ready?" he asked.

I turned from him to Sam with raised brows. "Ready for what?"

"To go for a ride."

Looking behind him, I noticed the motorcycle and felt a giddy thrill roll through me.

"Really?" I asked.

"Yeah."Hayden laughed at my expression. "Sam said something about a bucket list."

"A firsts lists," I corrected then looked back at Sam with a grin. "I can't believe you did all this."

"Yes, you can," he said.

Yes, I could.

Because he loved me.

And I loved him.

And I was going to tell him.

Hayden gave Magnolia a quick kiss then threw a leg over his bike, starting it up. As I settled in behind him, I thoughtof #21on my list (Do something that terrifies me). No time like the present, right?

"Hey, Sam?" I said.

"Yeah?" he said with a smile.

"I love you too."

"What?"

I had to raise my voice to be heard over the motorcycle's engine, so I said it again.

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