Page 46 of Sweetheart

"Good." Sam's brow furrowed as he looked to my stereo. "Whatare you're listening to?"

I lifted my chin. "It's a romance novel."

"One of your favorites?"

"Maybe," I said while the scene in my audiobook got increasingly more passionate. It had started immediately when I got in the car, syncing with my phone and picking up right where I'd left off.The romance had been playing the whole time in the background, not that I'd noticed. I was too distracted by the guy in front of me. "Need anything else, Bishop?"

"Nope," he said, opened the door and gotout of the car. "Enjoy your book, Kent."

"Oh, I will."

"See you tomorrow."

"See you then," I said.

As I pulled out of the lot, I could see Sam in the rearview mirror. It looked like he was smiling, but I wasn't sure if it was because of the audiobook or the fact that he'd gotten his way. One thing I did know: Icould not allow myself to fall for Sam Bishop.

CHAPTER 7

"Hey, Scarlett," Dad said.

I paused, lowering my bow andviolin. "Yeah, Dad?"

"Not that I don't love listening to you play, but have you checked the time?If you don't leave soon, you might be late for school, and I know how much you hate that."

I did.

I'd just hit snooze on my alarm—again.

But playing violin wasmy stress relief. It wasone of the only things that relaxed me, soothed my soul, and cleared my head, especially whenthere was a lot on my mind. I'd been at it for hours. Last night, I'd started a new arrangement, and in the morning, I picked it up again.

The piece was looking good.

My head? Not so much.

"Is everything okay?" Dad asked after a moment.

Hearing the worry in his voice, I packed up my violin and opened my door with a smile. "Sure," I said, "everything's awesome. Why wouldn't it be?"

"I don't know. You've been playing a lot."

"Define a lot."

Dad raised a brow.

"Ah, youknow how it is," I told him while grabbing my backpack. "Yami Yami and I just needed to spend some quality time together."

"Hmmm," he said, "and you're not stressed about anything?"

Besides seeing my fake boyfriend again and somehow convincing his ex and the entire school that we're madly in love? Oh yes, and doing all thatwithout letting my heart get involved?

"Nope," I said.

He followed me to the front door, not saying a word. But I knew there was more on his mind.

"Areyoustressed?" I asked, turning to face him. "Because that's the vibe I'm getting.Maybe transferring a little of what you feel onto me. We learnedabout that in psychology."

Dad chuckled. "I'm only worried about you, kid."

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