Page 106 of A Hard Sell

“Thank you,” Luka replied, tilting his head and sighing at Thomas. “This one planned the whole thing. Wine tastings, whale watching, romantic dinners on the beach… I’m so lucky.”

Thomas rolled his eyes but played along, nodding at the server.

“How sweet.” She offered a small smile as she stood there, holding the pot.

“Indeed it is. He begged me, you know. Got down onbothknees and said if I didn’t marry him, he’d die from a broken heart.”

“That’s nice.” She paused. “Did you want to order, or…?”

“He hired a sky-writer, too. ‘Marry me, Luka, or I’llliterally die,’it said, in giant letters across the horizon.”

“Okay,” Thomas interrupted to put the server out of her misery. “Sorry about him. We’ll both have the buffet, thank you.” She gave him a relieved look and scurried off with their menus.

“There was a marching band!” Luka called after her.

Thomas shook his head, trying not to laugh. “I’m glad you amuse yourself.”

Luka grinned. “Thought I’d see if I can get us some free mimosas.”

“I don’t know if Ilona would love the idea of us showing up for a meeting with the biggest possible client of all time buzzed on mimosas that we scammed from the breakfast buffet.”

“She would never know,” Luka said with an evil finger waggle.

After a mimosa-free breakfast, they checked out, loaded their suitcases into the car and made the short drive over to the Grand Plains University-Hospital. It was a massive, sprawling campus, built around the foothills of the mountains. Poplars lined the drive up to the hospital itself, a soaring building made of gray stone.

Walking into Shamsi’s office was like stepping back in time—shelves covered in leather-bound books, jars, skulls and other treasures in a display of artful chaos. Tall windows looked out over a lush courtyard garden.

She stood when they came in, her white coat a stark contrast to the pleated burgundy dress underneath. Her short black hair framed a no-nonsense face. But her expression softened when she smiled, eyes crinkling. “Welcome to Grand Plains. Won’t you have a seat?”

Luka felt like he could curl up and take a nap in the richness of her voice. They shook hands and settled onto the upholstered wooden chairs.

“Thank you so much for agreeing to meet with us, Doctor Moghadam,” Thomas said.

“Oh, everyone calls me Shamsi. And you can thank Ms. Hoszek for the meeting. She is persistent.”

Luka and Thomas shared a glance. “Indeed she is,” Luka said.

“You didn’t drive down from Oakport this morning, did you?”

“No, last night. We stayed at the Elander Foothills,” Thomas replied.

“How nice. I’ve heard it’s lovely.”

“Yes, it was…very special,” Luka agreed, his heart squeezing the slightest bit.

“Excellent.” Shamsi leaned back in her chair. “Now, why don’t you tell me what Breakpoint would have to say about Grand Plains?”

* * * *

“That went well,” Luka said when they stepped back out into the sunshine.

“Hmm. She loved you.”

“Well, I’m loveable.” Luka sighed, brushing imaginary lint off his sleeve.

Thomas barked a short laugh and shook his head.

The ride home was quiet. Luka rolled down the windows and let the warm air blow through his hair. Thomas turned on some music, then leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes. Except for when he was glancing at Luka, out of the corner of his eye.

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