Page 3 of Sweetheart

4. Thevoice. It wrapped around me like a warm blanket.

5. That eyebrow arch.Why, oh why was it so attractive?

6. He's popular.

7. He's a jock.

8. He sleeps through class.

9. He's my opposite in every way.

10. He was my first crush.

11. I got over it, but still...

12. We used to be friends (a long time ago).

13. We hadn't spoken in years.

14. He was taken—like really taken.

Sam tilted his head. "You go to Chariot High School, right?"

Internally, I winced. "Yeah, I do."

Item #15: Despite my incredibly inconvenient, totally unrequited, got-over-it-years-ago crush, he doesn't even remember my name.

"Was that your car back there?" he asked.

"Hmmm," I said.

"We could go back together, try toget it started. I know a lot about engines."

"Because your dad owns a garage," I said—then wanted to kick myself.Nice going, Scarlett Way to sound like a know-it-all—and a total stalker.

He nodded slowly. "That's right.So…you want that ride now?"

Sam cocked hiseyebrow again, but this time I was prepared.The blast of attraction he seemed to emit without even tryinghit an impenetrable wall and bounced harmlessly into the air between us.Squaring my shoulders, I sniffed.

"Like I said, I'm fine," I repeated.

"But—"

Before he could say more, I was already striding forward, leaving him in the dust.

Or I would've done if he hadn't been in a car, and my feet weren't crying with every step.

Stupid heels.

"Hold up," Sam said, keeping pace beside me. I could hear the laughter in his voice, and it grated on my already frayednerves. "You're not seriously going to walk all the way back to Chariot."

"Why not?" I said, swinging my bow at my side. "It's a beautiful night."

He scoffed. "That's miles away."

"Long walks are my favorite."

What was I even saying? I hated exercise with a passion. It was, in fact, one of my least favorite activities in the world. But he didn't need to know that.

---