Page 60 of Sweetheart

"What thing?"

Aurora spoke up then, "Everyone's saying you're together."

I frowned. "I don't get it. You guys don't even go to Chariot High. Do people at other schools even care?"

"Trust me, they care," Freya said.

"And we care because we're your cousins," Aurora said.

"Your very curious cousins," Freya added.

"Freya's curious. I'm just being nosy."

Freya shot her a look then turned back to me. "So? What's the deal?"

I took a deep breath.

To lie or not to lie?

That is the question.

My cousins would understand, I decided. Once I explained everything to them later, they would forgive me—and probably ask for every juicy detail.

"We're dating," I said simply.

"I knew it," Freya said while Aurora frowned.

"What's up, Ror?" I asked. "You don't look happy."

"Oh no, I'm happy for you," she said then shook her head. "Sam's just…really good-looking."

"Yeah, he is," I sighed.

"Maybe too good-looking."

Freya scoffed. "Is there such a thing?"

"There is," Aurora saidresolutely. "But as long as he treats you well and doesn't do anything to hurt one of my favorite people in this world, I'm good with it."

"I second that," Freya said.

I shook my head, smiling more than I had all day. "I love you, guys. You know that, right?"

Aurora nodded. "Of course, you do. And we love you."

"You guys make me sick," Freya said. "But yeah, love you too."

On the way home, I couldn't stop replaying our conversation.

My cousins who went to a completely different school had heardabout my fake relationship. After I got over the shock, I wasfilled with sheer joy. The plan was workingbetter than expected. I couldn't wait to tell Sam.

My phone rang as I pulled up in my driveway.

"Hey, Lotte," I said."How's it going?"

My sister didn't waste a second. "You and Sam Bishop? What the what, Scarlett?"

With a sigh, I settled in for another longer conversation.

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