Page 53 of Sweetheart

"Just trying to make you feel better," he said.

"Mission accomplished." Hegrinned, but I just shook my head. Before I could think better of it, I said, "I missed you."

Sam's expression sobered. "I've been right here, Kent."

I nodded. "Yeah, but…never mind."

He waited, but I waved all my confusing feelings away.This wasn't aboutthe past. We had goals to accomplish.

"Anyway, that was a smoothmove," I said, sticking my left hand into my pocket. "Too bad Brisa wasn't here to see it."

"She wouldn't care," he said.

"Oh, she definitely would."

"No worries, Kent.I'm sure word will get back to her."

For some reason, his answer didn't make me happy. My first alarm sounded, and I turned it off.

"I better go," I said. "Still have tostop by my locker."

"Okay," he said.

"And seriously, kissing the fingertips? That should've been on my list."

"Like I said, you should leave the romance to me."

"Hmmm. I'll see you, Bishop."

"Later, Kent."

I knew he was right. I should probably let him take the romance reigns so to speak. But I was scared to do that—because he was far too good at it.

Sam Bishop had hidden talents.

And like an idiot, I'd already blurted the very real fact that I'd missed him.

I had to take care, remember why we were doing all this, or I might just fall.

And that would be disastrous for so many reasons, the biggest being he was already in love with someone—and that someone definitely wasn't me.

I took a deep breath and re-centered.

Get Brisa and Sam back together. Completemy list of firsts.Keep heart in one piece.

The end.

Just stick to the plan and all shall be well.

Feeling the tingles in my left hand, I thought it might already be too late.

CHAPTER 8

Word got around fast.

It was high school, so I guess I shouldn't have been surprised.

But I kind of was.

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