Page 75 of Sweetheart

"Just sounds like something Brisa would say."Sam cocked a brow. "She didn't scare you too much. Did she?"

"She was pretty fierce," I said."Honestly, I respect her for sticking up for you—or I would if she wasn't threatening me.Everyone needs a friend like that.But she also said…"

He waited.

Rolling my shoulders back, I went on, "She says you've been pining after me."

Sam's frown was instant. "What?"

"Brisa seemed to thinkyou like me. That you have foryears."

He said nothing.

"Crazy, right?" I said.

"Yeah, crazy," he agreed, and I literally felt a fissure appear on the surface of my heart.

Oh, well. It wasn't like I expected him to say,Yes, Scarlett, I've loved you forever. Let's run away together and live happilyever after. But man, that hurt.

"Did she say anything else?"

"No," I said, "but I think our plan to make her jealous is working."

Sam shook his head. "I doubtthat."

"Come on, Brisa obviously still cares about you."

"I care about her too," he said almost absently.

The words hit me like a blow, but I hid my reaction well.

Or at least, I thought I did.

"Hey," Sam said, "come here."

Before I knew what was happening, Sam had pulled me to his chest, holding me gently but firmly in his warm embrace.

"What are you doing?" I asked, the words muffled by his shirt.

"Hugging you," he said.

"Why?"

"Looked like you could use a hug."

I hmphed but couldn't help burrowing closer, putting my arms around his back, breathing him in like he was my favorite scent in the world.

"Is this part of our lessons?" I asked.

"Nah, but we shouldreschedule. I know you werelooking forward to those."

Feeling like I could get addicted to this, to him, I said, "Brisa obviously believes we're a thing. Maybe we don't need thelessons."

"Oh, we definitely need the lessons, Starlet."

I laughed. "Okay, I'll just add kissing lessons to my planner."

"You do that."

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