Page 101 of A Hard Sell

“Sorry for what?” he asked, brow wrinkling.

Luka picked up a stack of sticky notes to fiddle with. “Sorry for…letting you pretend.”

Thomas still looked confused. “It’s fine. I offered to help.”

“Yeah, but…” The words sat heavy on his tongue. “It was a lot. It was too much. My mom already adores you. She said you were part of our—” He stopped. The next word refused to follow the rest out.

“Oh.” Thomas nodded. He understood. “It’s okay.”

“It’s not. It wasn’t fair of me.” He pulled a note off, folded it in half. “You don’t have to pretend anymore. As soon as you move, I’ll just tell her we broke up because you left. It’ll be easy to act sad.” To his alarm, tears started to well up.I am a fucking mess.

“Luka…” It looked like Thomas was shifting his weight to stand when his phone rang. “Thomas,” he answered. “Mmm.” He hung up. “Ilona wants to see us.”

Luka blinked hard and took a deep breath, trying to smile. “Okay.”

“Hey.” This time Thomas did stand. “I’m not going anywhere just yet.”

“Yeah.” Luka nodded. “I know.”

Thomas took his hand and pulled him to his feet. He squeezed it before he let go. They headed down the hall, shoulders bumping, hands brushing more than once, drawn together like they were supposed to be holding on still. It sent a spark up Luka’s spine each time.

“Great news.” Ilona smiled at them as they sat down. “You know how we’ve been trying to land the Grand Plains account for ages? Shamsi finally agreed to meet.”

“That’s fantastic!” Luka said. Shamsi Moghadam was the director of Grand Plains, a huge university-hospital, renowned for its world-class healthcare and pharmaceutical research.

“The two of you can leave for Elander tomorrow around three, then you’ll meet with her at nine the next morning,” Ilona said. “I know it’s rushed, but that’s what she offered. We have some preliminary work done for you to review, and you’ve got some time before you go.”

“The two of you.”Oh God.Luka was once again torn. The excitement of a road trip with Thomas, just the two of them together for a whole day…and agony of just the two of them together for a whole day.

“Sabrina will book you a hotel near the university. Take the firm credit card for gas and meals and other incidentals. Do you mind taking your car, Luka?”

Luka looked over at Thomas, who was staring back.

“No, I don’t mind at all.”

* * * *

“Luka Moreno and Thomas Badgley, checking in.”

“Welcome to the Elander Foothills Resort, gentleman.” The man behind the counter nodded as his fingers flew over the keyboard. “Ah, yes, Mr. Moreno and Mr. Badgley, here you are… And it looks like congratulations are in order! We have the honeymoon suite all ready for you.”

“The what?” Luka squawked as Thomas’ eyes grew to the size of dinner plates.

“The honeymoon suite. Are you not…?” He trailed off as he got a look at their expressions and emphatic head-shaking. “Oh. Oh, dear. Hmm, let me just see…” His fingers danced over the keys again. “Ohhh. We had you booked in a double, but there was a leak on the third floor last night and that block of rooms is now unavailable. We only have the honeymoon suite remaining for you this evening.”

They blinked at him.

“At no additional cost to you, of course. There’s a pullout couch…” he finished helplessly.

“Um…” Luka turned to look at Thomas. “Well.”

“That will be fine,” Thomas mumbled. “Two keys, please.”

* * * *

Thomas pushed the door open. Luka held his breath as he peeked in. They were high above Elander, the curved wall of floor-to-ceiling windows providing a stunning view ofles Sommets de Maurac, a jagged, snow-capped mountain range to the east. Then his gaze found the bed. The only bed. An expansive king-sized one, draped in rich, textured cream and white linens. It was strewn with red rose petals, a bucket of champagne chilling on a silver tray in the center.

Luka’s snort turned into a cackle. “Of course.” He dragged his suitcase into the room and flopped onto the couch, shoulders shaking with mirth.

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