This Gorgeous Game by Donna Freitas Read Free Book Online Page A

here,” he says, smiling, sitting down next to me, and I practically fall into his big dark eyes.
    “Any luck getting into the class?” I ask, finally coming up with something to say, hopeful that the answer will be yes.
    “Not yet. I’m getting there, though. Two signatures to go.”
    I think about whether or not I could help, whether I might have a little pull with Father Mark now that he and I have hung together in a bar, but then decide against suggesting this. “I’ll keep my fingers crossed then,” is what I tell him.
    “I need all the help I can get,” he says, laughing, playing with the tiny silver cross dangling from his neck, holding it out as if to say that prayer isn’t out of the question, either.
    “That’s right. Selling your soul and all that. I remember.”
    There’s a knock on the window. Sam gestures to Jamie that they need to go.
    “I wish I had more time,” he says.
    Me, too,
I think.
    “We’ve got to go take our last exam in…” he pauses, pulling out his cell, “forty minutes. But before I go…I guess, I was wondering…”
    He was wondering? Wondering what?
    “…if maybe we could, you know, exchange information. That way if I do get into the class, we could, I don’t know, be in touch before it starts. I could give you my e-mail and number and get yours and then I’ll know how to get ahold of you when I get the verdict.”
    “That would be great.” I smile because it would be honestly, truly, utterly great. “I’d love that,” I say. “I hope it works out. It would be fun to be in class together.” An understatement.
    He hands me his cell so I punch in my info and then I give him mine to do the same.
    “So we’ll be in touch,” Jamie says, getting up. “Soon.”
    I sure hope so. More knocking on the window and I look out to see Sam, Jada, and Ash, hands cupped on the glass, watching us, smirking.
    I will not turn red, I will not turn red.
    “Sounds great,” I say, glancing back at Jamie.
    “Talk to you later then,” he says and heads outside, holding the door for Jada and Ash to pass through.
    “Bye, Jamie,” they call.
    “Now that wasn’t so bad,” Ash says, sitting down and diving back into what remains of our melted sundae. I am so jubilant that I can almost forgive her for being Ash, and Jada for setting me up. Jada is focused on scooping caramel out of the bottom of the dish, avoiding my eyes, but she can’t contain the laughter bubbling up inside her. “You are shameless,” I begin, when the door to the shop swings open again and my jaw drops and I think,
This cannot be happening, is this really, truly happening?
    “Olivia! I can’t believe this,” says a voice with genuine surprise.
    “Wow. Hi, Father Mark.” I stand up, a little unsteady.
    “I was on my way to campus and it’s so hot today I thought I’d treat myself.”
    “Father Mark, I want you to meet my two best friends, Ashley,” I say, gesturing to Ash, “and Jada,” who gives him a little wave. “They go to Sacred Heart, too.” I’m reminded of my earlier comment about Father Mark being a lonely man. “Um, do you want to join us?”
    A look that says,
Please no, don’t do this to us
, appears on my friends’ faces and then I realize that inviting Father Mark to join us is a bit weird, at least if you’re not me and don’t idolize him.
    “You look like you’re almost ready to leave.” Father Mark hesitates, looking at the now empty sundae dish on the table, with barely a layer of melted ice cream at the bottom. But I can tell he’d like to accept the invitation.
    “I was actually just going to order something else,” I lie, but figure this gives him an excuse to sit with us awhile.
    “Well, since you’re so kind to offer, maybe I will stay for a few minutes.” A smile lights up his face and eyes. He leans forward, hands clasped behind his back, and the medal of St. Benedict—his order of priests—dangles from his neck on a chain and shines when it catches the