Page 32 of Sweetheart

To created something that was totally mine.

Someday, I wanted an orchestra to play one of my pieces.

It might take a long time. The gatekeepers might laugh at me or cut me down. But I was determined to try.

"Scarlett?" Theresa said, and as I looked over, I noticed she had an odd expression on her face.

"Something wrong?" I asked.

"No, just wondering how you came up with this one."

"Which one? Isit the mashup of Drake and Bach?"

"Definitely more unique than that."Theresa looked at me with mirth in hereyes. "Ricky Ballas, CJ Wallace, Nathan Tooks, Oz Portner, and Sam Bishop?"

As she turned the page to me, I felt my cheeks heat up, seeing not music notes, but the names she'd just read aloud staring back at me.

"A very interesting composition."

Laughing with her, I took the sheet back and rolled my eyes. "It's nothing," I said."Just one of my many lists."

The bell rang, and Theresa stood.

"Okay, fine," she said, "lesson's over. You don't have to explain."

Thank goodness.

"But Scarlett, my love life, as you know, is nonexistent." Theresa got to the door and turned back to me with a grin. "It's okay. Just like I'll always support you as a musician, I alsosupport your collection of boyfriends."

Right as she said that, Sam stepped through the door and lifted a brow.

"Hi," he said to me and then nodded at Theresa. "I'm Sam. I'm here for Scarlett."

Theresa nodded. "Why hello, Sam. I'm Theresa, Scarlett's overly-curious music teacher."

As he stepped farther into the room, she sent me a wink over his shoulder.

"I'll leave you both to it," she said."Bye, Scarlett. Have fun."

"Bye," I mumbled.

Looking to Sam, I shook my head.

"Great. Now, she probably thinks there's something going on between us."

"What makes you say that?"

"Between the wink she just threw me, you showing up here, and my list of names"—I released a sigh—"it's a good guess."

Instead of focusing on anything else I'd just said, Sam tilted his head. "You made another list?"

I shrugged. "Yeah."

"What for?"

"Decided to take your advice,"I said. "About always having a backup.After our talk, I wanted to be prepared. Icame up with a list of possible alternates—none of them freshmen or criminals by the way—to help me in case you say no."

Sam stepped forward.

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