Page 43 of The Friend Game

I know we can’t kiss or anything now, but maybe I could just tell him about my spring break plan. Give us both something to look forward to.

“Hey, Lu—”

“Why yes, this is very nice.” Oh, he’s not alone. I cut myself off as Belinda Lagman appears behind him, surveying the room with obvious approval. “I see why you wanted to show me this, Pastor. This would be an excellent setting for the opening of the romance I’ve decided to pen.”

Luke’s expression turns to one of slight alarm. “Belinda, that’s not why I wanted to show you the wheel. I told you I thought you might want to see what good use your late friend’s pottery wheel and kiln are being put to.”

“And I told you that I barely knew Missy Gerdman. Yes, I went to her funeral, but that’s because I heard there would be details given out about the estate sale her son was going to be having. Rumor had it that he’d be selling her extensiveromance novel collection.” She smiles with self-satisfaction. “I’ll have you know that rumor turned out to be true, and now I’m the proud owner of quite a few classic romance novels. We’re talking Georgette Heyer, who writes the best ravishing duke characters, and Lori Wick, who could really stand to add a little bit of kissing to her books if you ask me, but whose books are nonetheless enjoyable.”

Luke is looking distinctly uncomfortable now, but Belinda isn’t finished yet.

“Anyway, all of that to say, I know the real reason you invited me here, Pastor Abbott.” She waves a finger between the two of us. “You wanted an excuse to come see Miss Garza here without looking like a man desperate to see a woman.”

I purse my lips against a laugh as Luke gapes at Belinda.

“Belinda, I—” he starts, but she interrupts.

“Oh no need to be embarrassed about it,” she poo-poos his protestations. “Miss Garza likes you too, so you both can stop tiptoeing around the attraction, skip the miscommunication portion of your relationship, take the girl out to dinner, and kiss her till she forgets every other man she’s ever dated.”

“Belinda,” Luke says carefully, somehow maintaining his composure even while my suppressed laughter has turned into pink-cheekedawkwardness, “you know very well that I can’t date until my 1-year contract expires in March.”

“Oh, yes.” Belinda huffs a breath that lifts her bangs clear off her forehead. “I do know that.” She shoots him a knowing look. “But I also know that a single pastor in possession of a congregation must be in want of a wife to help shepherd his flock.”

Wow. Belinda just had us go from having to wait four months to even date straight to marriage in one sentence. Maybe sheshouldwrite a romance novel. She’s clearly got the plot lines down.

“Mixing Jane Austen with the Bible,” Luke replies wryly, “does Bethany House know about you?”

“Not yet they don’t.” Belinda smirks. “But it’s only a matter of time.”

“I’d say that’s probably accurate,” Luke agrees. “And since you’ve decided you want to use this room as inspiration for your first scene, why don’t you take a look around while I discuss something platonic with Miss Garza here.”

Belinda nods amenably, then crosses the space to reach the record player, exclaiming quietly to herself over my record collection.

Luke turns his full attention on me, and having him here after almost a week of only glimpses in the hallway, makes the moment feel almost forbidden. I’m not proud to admit that thought sends a thrill of excitement pulsing throughme. If Belinda weren’t here I’d be tempted to see how far we could push the boundaries of friendship.

Actually, maybethat iswhy Belinda is here—a safeguard to keep us from flirting our way over the friendship line. I’m both flattered and depressed at the thought.

Flattered that Luke thinks he needs someone to supervise us lest we get carried away.

But depressed that this might mean Luke plans on making sure that until March arrives we’re never alone.

Which is fine.

Of course.

I get it.

I really do.

Really. I do.

But that doesn’t mean I like it.

“I also came to tell you that your request to form an after school art club got approved.” Luke passes me a slip of paper with George’s signature scrawled across the bottom.

“Oh.” I raise an eyebrow as I accept the paper. “I already knew that it did, actually. George sent me an email this morning.” I point a finger at him with a knowing smirk. “An email you were cc-ed on, as I recall.”

Luke grins. “Okay fine, you caught me.” He leans in and whispers so Belinda can’t hear, “Turns out Iwasjust looking for any excuse to see you.”He jerks his head in Belinda’s direction. “She’s onto me.”

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