Page 12 of A Hard Sell

Thomas frowned and shook his head. “I’ll wait.”

“I can get you a ride back to the start?” the attendant offered.

“No, it’s okay. I can walk the rest. Thank you.” Luka got to his feet and gave his legs an experimental wiggle. “I promise, I’m fine. You should keep running,” he told Thomas again.

The Big Bad Wolf shrugged. “I’m tired too. I can walk with you.” Thomas fell in beside him as they got back on the course. The crowd around them now was thick with dogs and strollers. They passed the four-kilometer marker in silence.

“So…” Luka said, wounds still smarting. “You run a lot.”

Thomas squinted and examined the road ahead, perhaps on the lookout for more obstacles for Luka to crash headlong into. “Some.”

“I don’t actually run,” Luka blurted.

Thomas’ mouth quirked. “I suspected.”

“Yeah…” His elbow throbbed. “Obviously. It’s harder than I thought.”

“It does take some training.”

“I’m sorry I messed up your run.”

Thomas shrugged again, turning his face up to the dazzling sun. “You didn’t mess it up. There are worse things than a walk in the sunshine.”

Well, fuck.It was clear the gorgeous man was also thoughtful and kind. He was not making it easy.

By the time they had made it back to the starting line, the closing ceremonies were underway, but they arrived just in time to see Finn and Ilona up on stage accepting the award for top corporate fundraising team. Luka and Thomas joined their group under the tent as they cheered.

“There you guys are!” Tawney chirped when she saw them. Then she noticed the bandages on Luka’s knee and elbow. “Luk! Are you okay? What happened?”

“Just a mild run-in with a dog leash and my own hubris,” he assured her. “I’m fine.”

Tawney fussed over him as Thomas vanished for a moment, then reappeared, handing Luka a bottle of water and a banana.

“Thanks.” Luka was starving, and devoured the fruit gratefully, with one eye and ear on the stage as the ceremony wrapped up. Then Finn and Ilona came back with a photographer in tow for a group photo. Thomas tried to stay out of it at first, but when Tawney wouldn’t have any of that, he hid in the back row, slouching behind Finn and Rory.

There was a barbeque afterwards, so most of the crew headed off in search of food, but then Finn saw that Luka was limping. “What the fuck, Moreno?”

Luka sighed, bracing himself for the ragging he was about to take.

Thomas stepped in. “Wayward dog leash. Completely unavoidable. Congratulations on the fundraising, Finn. May I see your plaque?”

Finn passed it over and forgot about teasing Luka. “Our team has raised almost ninety grand in the last five years!”

“That’s amazing. You should be very proud.”

“Eh, it’s a team effort. I’m proud of everyone. We were glad to have your support.”

“My pleasure.”

Luka shot Thomas a grateful look as Finn turned to find Rory and a hot dog. “Thanks for heading him off there. Finn shows no mercy when he senses weakness.” Luka’s chuckle turned into a grimace as his knee twitched.

Thomas looked worried. “You should sit down. There’s a bench just over there.”

“I’m fine—” Luka began, but Thomas had a hand on his elbow and was guiding him over to the park bench.

“Can I get you a hot dog?” Thomas asked once Luka was settled.

“Oh my gosh, no, you’ve already done so much. I’m okay.”

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