Page 24 of The Friend Game

“Lunch bell,” Luke finally speaks.

“I guess our trivia session will have to wait,” I say lightly.

“I guess so.” Luke nods.

I can’t think of what to say next. My mind is all a jumble.

“I better get back to the church,” Luke says without moving.

“Right, and I have afternoon classes to prep for.” I don’t move either. The bell may have brought both of us back to reality, but I’m worried if I go any closer to Luke, reality will abandon me once more and I’ll fling myself at him.

Which would be totally ridiculous. And inappropriate. And, considering this is our place of work, possibly harassment.

“Okay, then.” Luke seems to shake himself out of his daze, taking a few small steps towards the door. Disappointment punches me in the stomach. All our flirting and back and forth banter amounted to nothing. What about what he wanted to showme? And shouldn’t we make a plan for Disney trivia night? I’m happy to be in charge of snacks.

But no, he’s not mentioning any of that. I’ve scared him off with my wanton gazes and forward tone. Heisa pastor after all. They probably do dating a little differently. They probably call it courtship for one. And they probably require that you be proficient at needlework, the piano forte, and, and…letter writing. Although I might be confusing pastor’s wives with the heroines in Jane Austen books.

Luke reaches the door, but then pauses, turning back to face me. “What’s the name of the little boy featured in theToy Storyfilms?”

“If that’s the kind of trivia you think will stump me, I’m definitely going to win.”

“Hannah, what’s his name?”

“It’s Andy,” I huff.

“Correct. Which is short for?”

“Andrew,” I reply slowly, confused as to where he’s going with this.

“Now you know my middle name.” Luke pulls the door open. “See you around, Miss Garza.” With a wink and a grin he’s gone.

My fingers move of their own accord, grabbing a piece of paper off my desk and methodically folding it accordion style as my thoughts take off in the direction of calligraphy and cream colored cardstock.

Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Garza request the pleasure of your company to celebrate the marriage of their daughter Hannah Caitlin Garza to Luke Andrew Abbott.

I sigh dreamily. I know, I know, I’m letting my imagination get carried away. I don’t care. Luke is funny and sweet. He’s good with kids, loves Jesus, and has a big heart.

Plus, he’s hotter than a pancake straight off the griddle. I might marry him just for the possibility that we’d have a kid with that dimple of his.

Whew-ee. I press down the final crease then pick up my folded paper and start fanning myself.

I’m still standing there, fanning myself when my first class of the afternoon arrives ten minutes later.

Chapter 10

“HANNAH,” BELINDA LAGMAN, the librarian at Grace Canyon sticks her head in my door Wednesday morning, “will you be joining everyone for chapel this morning?”

“Chapel?” I look up from the table where I was busy sorting supplies into bins for today’s lesson on Wassily Kandinsky and concentric circles.

“Yes, every Wednesday morning there’s an all school chapel service in the church.”

“Oh, I didn’t know.” I set my stack of construction paper down, a buzz of excitement running through me. “Of course, I’ll come.” I pause, trying not to sound too obvious. “Does Pastor Abbott run the service?”

“He does.” Belinda nods. “The kids love him.”

I bite back a grin. I haven’t seen Luke since our little, uh, flirtation on Monday, and I’ve been starting to worry I read into things. Chapel will give me the perfect excuse to run into him accidentally on purpose and ascertain where I stand with him.

And also, Jesus will be there too.

---