Free A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman Page B

I've ever had."
    Faith forced a weak smile. How could she be angry with Maisie? She was the best friend she'd ever had too. Faith sunk into the chair and stared glumly ahead, hands limp on the table. She shot a furtive glance at the few other people in the room before fixing her gaze on Maisie. "I've never told this to another living soul, except my dear neighbor who is more like a grandmother to me."
    Maisie nodded.
    Faith took a deep breath and proceeded to unravel the whole sad tale-from the schoolgirl crush to the pivotal kiss in the park. Her friend sat wide-eyed as Faith spilled her heart. When finished, she felt lighter, as if sharing the burden made it more bearable.
    Maisie shook her head in amazement. "And to think I thought you were this brainy bookworm with little or no experience with men."
    "But I am, that's just it. At the end of this week, I'll be nineteen, and that was my first kiss ever." Faith's shoulders sagged. "That is, if you don't count Peter McKenna in the third grade."

    Maisie rolled her eyes. "Oh, but what a kiss! I'd pay a week's salary for a kiss like that."
    Faith made a wry face. "Well, I wouldn't. It's my sister he wants."
    "I wouldn't be so sure."
    "Anyway," Faith said, quickly dismissing the notion, .one thing I am sure of is Collin McGuire is trouble for both me and my sister. My head-and my heart-tell me loud and clear to stay away from the likes of him."
    Maisie suddenly jolted upright in the chair. In a scrunch of freckles, she peered at Faith. "Hey, Charity was awfully anxious to spend the evening in the library. You don't suppose . . ." She bounced up and started for the door.
    "Suppose what? Wait! Where do you think you're going?"
    Maisie wheeled around, grinning like a pixie. "I need a book from the language department."
    "Oh no you don't!" Faith said as she ran after her.
    "Oh yes I do. I need something on the language of love." She drawled out the word so ridiculously that Faith couldn't help a little giggle as she ran to keep up with her.
    "Maisie, you're crazy!"
    "Hush! The esteemed department of language lies just beyond those doors. Do you want to stay here while I explore?"
    "No, I'll come. If he's here, I'd like to embarrass himboth of them." Somehow the thought of Collin and Charity together didn't have quite the sting to it with Maisie by her side. They tiptoed into the cavernous language department, which was dimly lit and mostly deserted this time of night. An elderly gentleman sat reading in a far corner while two students appeared to be studying-each other more than the books strewn on the table before them.

    Maisie motioned her head toward the bookshelves in the loft area overhead. Faith nodded. The two crept up the staircase like burglars on the prowl. Faith shadowed her friend while she peeked around each and every bookcase. All at once, Maisie lunged back, colliding into her. With a look of smug victory, she put her finger to her lips and pointed. Faith took a deep breath. It jammed in her throat when Maisie yanked her into the aisle where Collin McGuire hovered over her sister. His hands were pressed against the wall on either side as if caging her in, but Charity seemed anything but trapped. She smiled up at him beneath thick lashes. Faith heard Collin laugh, and her body went cold as she shrank out of sight.
    "Look, Faith, I found her!" Maisie announced, causing Charity to gasp and Collin to swear. He spun around.
    "Mmm ... nice research," Maisie said. She stretched her hand toward Collin, who stood speechless. "You must be Collin McGuire. I'm Maisie. It's nice to meet you," she said.
    Maisie reached back and jerked Faith into open view. She wanted to die. There she stood, face-to-face with the man who had occupied most of her thoughts-and prayers-for the last seven days. Faith was as crimson as Charity, who stood in shock, her back hard against the wall.
    Collin appeared immobilized for the briefest amount of time before he visibly relaxed. A shadow of a smile