Page 63 of When Love Is Lost and Found

"I told her yesterday, but she told me she just wants to be friends."

"Have you told her about Jimmy?"

"She doesn't want to know, and I won't force the issue."

Loren gives me a look of disapproval but doesn't say anything.

When Sharon returns, she sits next to me and shoots me a disapproving look, too.

Thankfully, today's message is about forgiveness, so hopefully, everything will soon be forgiven.

"Wasn't that an amazing message?" I ask when we get out of our seats after service.

"Don't think you're off the hook, Mr. Linder." Sharon's voice at least sounds playful.

"You think I should apologize to Pat?"

"Patrick," Loren says.

"Pat, Patrick, Patty. Whatever!"

"You see," Sharon says, "that's rude."

"The message was about forgiveness."

"Are you sorry?" she asks, "Because you don't sound sorry."

"Let me make it up to you," I say.

"How about if you make it up to me by picking up Noah from class and meeting me outside?"

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to talk to Patrick for a second."

"Are you trying to make me jealous?

"I don't think I have to try very hard."

"I'm going to the ladies' room," Loren says. "Meet me in the lobby when you're done bickering."

"We're not bickering!" we both exclaim.

Loren laughs and picks up her purse, shaking her head. "You two sound like an old married couple."

"Well?" Sharon asks when I don't move.

"I'm going!" I laugh. "I don't know if you know this, but you're even more beautiful when you're mad. Your eyes turn a different shade of green."

"Where's Shay-Shay?" Noah asks when I walk into his classroom.

"She's still in the sanctuary."

"I'm hungry!" he says. "I want some mac and cheese."

"All right, Buddy. Let's go find Sharon."

"Shay. Her name is Shay."

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