Page 5 of Sweetheart

"You'll take me straight home and not ask for any weird favors or blackmail afterward," I said and then added, "and you won't try to steal my violin."

"Scout's honor."

I narrowed my eyes. "Are you really a boy scout?"

"No, but my little brother is," he said then cocked his head. "So?"

I quickly took stock of my situation. Option 1: accept Sam Bishop's offer, hop into his sleekride with the silver racing stripes and let him take mehome. I still had my bow after all. Not as good as pepper spray, but if need be, I wasn't above gettingstabby. Option 2: face the long, dark road ahead, push my already screaming feet to the limit, forgo any sleep I might've gotten and possibly be late on the first day of senior year.

I'd never been late to school.

Not once in my life.

Never missed a day either.

And yet…

I gazed longingly at the car in front of me, thinking of those heated seats, then shifted my eyes to the darkness.Maybe I could—

Sam's voice interrupted.

"Just get in the car, Starlet," he said.

He popped the locks, and I did just that.

As I slid into the car, however, I mumbled, "My name's Scarlett. Not Starlet."

Sam gave me that half-grin. "I know," he said.

Sure you do.

"Want to go back, check on your car?" he asked.

"No point," I said. "Iwas already told I have a bad alternator. Guess it finallygave out."

"So wait…you knew you needed a new part and drove it anyway?"

I shrugged, ignoring the clear disapproval in his tone. "Couldn't afford a new one.The money from tonight's gig was supposed to help pay for it. But…"

"But?" he said.

"The couple said they'd pay me later which probably means I won't get paid."

"That sucks," Sam said.

"It really does," I agreed.

Once we were on the road, heading toward Chariot,I gave in and took off my heels. Icouldn't be sure, but when my toes were finally free,I think I moaned in relief. Judging by the look of amusement on Sam's face, Idefinitely had.

"Can I ask you something?" he said.

"Okay…"

"Why are you dressed like that?"

I lifted a brow. "Like a blueberry?"

Sam gave a shrug. "I was going to say across between Elsa and Cinderella."

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