Page 64 of Sweetheart

With a forced laugh, I slid from the booth, and she stood as well. Hugging my sister was something I'd never gettiredof. I was used to seeing her every day of my life. So,her being in college, no matter how close it was distance-wise, and me being home, it was an odd feeling. Knowing I couldn’t see her every day.

"I miss you," I said into her neck, "even when you're hitting me with the hard questions."

Charlotte laughed and pulled back to look at me. "I miss you and your sarcasm."

"My texts aren't sarcastic enough?" I asked.

"Not the same thing."

"I'll work on it.Where are you headed after this?"

She shrugged. "The library. I want to say hi to everyone and make sure the books are okay. Thought I might do some reading while I'm there too."

Of course.

"Better go," she said."You wouldn't want to be late for your lessons."

I ignored her knowing tone and the smile she wore as I walked away.

"Hey, Scar," she said.

"Hmmm?" I asked, looking back over my shoulder.

"I know yousay it's all pretend, and maybe it is." Charlotte shrugged. "But if you do still have feelings for him, don't give up on your Sam just yet. Remember, sometimes, fake love turns real." Her cheeks went pink as a smilebrightened her face. "Trust me, Bo and I would know."

As I got into my car, I thought about what she'd said.

My sisterwouldknow. Her relationship with Bo wasn't exactly conventional—or at least, it didn't start that way.

But there was one main difference.

Bo and my sister were destined.

They were each other's person, even if they didn't know it yet.

I wasn't sure I had one of those.

And Sam had already found his.

Oh well, I thought as I drove and turned up my latest romance audiobook. At least my sister got her happily-ever-after. I'd settle for kissing lessons and a fake romance where my heart was in no danger of being broken.

#

"You're early," Sam said when I walked into the garage.

My steps didn't falter. "I like being on time," I said.

He cocked his head and sent me a grin. "Thought you might be excited about the lessons."

"Someone has an inflated ego."

"Nah, my ego's just the right size."

I turned my laugh into a cough then gestured to the garage. "I was kind of surprised you wanted to do this here.Is there some place we can…well, you know?"

"Kiss?" he put in.

I nodded.

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