Page 107 of A Hard Sell

They stopped at Ilona’s office when they got back. She grinned up at them from the stack of papers on her desk. “I already heard back from Shamsi. She’s in. We’re drawing up the contract.”

Luka and Thomas smiled at each other.

“Great work, gentlemen.” She nodded. “Thomas, could you stay a minute longer? There’s something else I need to talk to you about.”

As Luka turned to leave, Ilona called after him. “Oh, and Luka? Shamsi liked your suit.”

Luka shot Thomas a look of triumph. “Of course she did.”

“Please, don’t encourage him,” Thomas muttered, trying to keep his face stern.

“Well, someone’s got to,” he heard Ilona reply as he left.

Luka found Finn and Rory waiting outside his office and they trailed in after him.

“How was the trip?” Finn asked as he fell into his usual chair. Rory pulled up another and sat next to him.

“It was great! Shamsi is going to sign with us. Ilona is working on the contracts.”

“Cool, cool, I meant with you and Thomas, though.”

Luka shook his head. “There’s nothing to say, Finn. It’s not happening.”

“Okay…” The redhead shared a glance with Rory, then looked back at Luka. “Tell me again why not?”

“I tried, all right? I told him I liked him, and he said no. He said it would be easier if we didn’t get involved. And he’s right. He’s leaving in a couple months.”

“So what are you going to do?” Rory asked.

“What do you mean, ‘what am I going to do’? I’m doing nothing.”

Finn rubbed at his beard. “Well, that’s bullshit. He doesn’t have to leave. No one is holding a gun to his head. Tell himyou’re in love with himand ask him to stay.”

Luka made a strangled noise. “He likes his life. He likes not being pinned down. He said it’s simpler this way. I can’t ask him to change everything just for…for me.”

“Look. You encouraged me to go for it with Rory, and I did, and it’s been the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” He paused and looked at Rory, who was watching him with the softest eyes Luka had ever seen. Rory reached over and took Finn’s hand. Their wedding bands glinted.

“And”—Finn continued, holding up his other hand before Luka could interrupt—“I know you think it’s different with you two, but it’s not.”

Luka ran a hand through his hair. “I appreciate you trying to help, but… What’s the point of falling in love if you know it’s going to end in heartbreak?”

“What’s the point?” Finn looked baffled. “Luka, you don’t get to choose who you fall in love with.”

Luka opened his mouth to tell a big fat, futile lie, something along the lines of ‘It’ll be fine’, or ‘I’ll get over it’, then Thomas walked in. He looked like he’d been punched in the gut.

Finn and Rory took one look at Thomas’ face and scooted out with mumbled excuses, closing the door behind them.

“What’s wrong?” Luka asked as silence fell around them.

Thomas had frozen in his tracks, staring hard at Luka. “I’m leaving.”

A knot of dread curled up in Luka’s stomach. “Yeah, I know, in two months—”

“No. Now. This week.”

“What?” The knot grew, cutting off his air.

“You guys are all set with the Sartini and Grand Plains contracts. Ilona says they’re looking at doing some more hiring, you’re a VP now and I’m…moving on. Head office said they need me elsewhere.” His voice was flat.

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