Page 41 of Sweetheart

"That'll be $10,000," she added.

"What?!?" I squeaked. "That can't be right. I only got a tow and a new alternator."

"It says so right here."

The boyshrugged. "The cost of labor is up these days."

"Parts too," she added.

"Tough break, Scarlett."

I sputtered, but Bettytalked right over me.It was clear she was the more devious of the two.With a carefree smile, the girl held her hand out and said, "Will that be cash, check or credit card?"

Speechless, I stood there staring at them until a man walked in, spotted the two kids, then shook his head. I recognized him immediately. Even if I hadn't, I would've known who he was by his strong resemblance to Sam.

"What are you guys doing?" Mr. Bishop asked.

"Nothing," they said in unison.

He gave the two a long, hard look. "Right. And what did I tell you about pretending to work here?"

Betty sighed. "This is a business not a playground," she said.

"Don't pull pranks on the customers," Bennet added then mumbled, "even if it is fun."

Mr. Bishop gave them a nod."Now, shouldn't you two be doing homework? I know your mom will want to check it later. You can go in my office."

They nodded, but just before they left, Betty poked her head back out.

"Bye, Scarlett," she said. "Sorry about the prank."

"It's okay," I said, unable to resist those puppy-dog eyes.

Bennetstuck his head back in next. "I hope you get better at yoga," he said.

I laughed. "Thanks. Probably won't happen, but I appreciate it."

After a moment, they closed the door, and Mr. Bishop came forward.

"Sorry about that," he said and ran a hand through his hair.

The move was so like the one I'd seen Sam do a hundred times I couldn't help but stare.Besides the piercings in his ears, eyebrow, and lip—Did that hurt? I wondered—Colton looked like an aged-up version of his son. Ocean blue eyes apparently ran in the family. As he stepped up to the counter, I got a better look. So, this is what Sam will look like in about20 years, Ithought. Still gorgeous, still a total heartbreaker. Oof.

"My kids aren't…actually no, they're always crazy."

"We're not crazy," a voice called from behind the closed office door, but Mr. Bishop just said, "Homework. Now."And then, there was silence.

He gave me an apologetic shrug.

"Again, sorry," he mumbled. "Sam was never like this."

"They're notso bad," I said, and when he gave me a disbelieving look, I laughed. "Okay, they did freak me out a little. But it's fine."

"They like to tell people it costs sky-high amounts just to see their eyes bug out."

I nodded."I run a mentoring program, so I'm used tobeing around kids."

"How much did they tell you?" he said.

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