Page 30 of A Hard Sell

Aleandro was a vampire, his costume immaculate—an expensive-looking tuxedo underneath a thick cloak with a red satin lining. He had pointed nails to go with his sharp teeth, and his face was pale. Luka noticed for the first time that Aleandro had perfect vampire hair, swept dramatically back off his forehead. Penelope was a sorceress, wearing a glamorous blood-red dress with peaked shoulders and high collar. A medallion glinted around her neck.

“Aleandro, Penelope! I didn’t know you were coming.” He and Thomas shook their hands. “Wow, your costumes are gorgeous.”

“Thank you. Penelope and I take Halloween quite seriously,” Aleandro replied. “It’s our favorite holiday. After our anniversary.”

Penelope gave him a soft look, then linked her arm in his. “I loveGrease,” she said to them.

“Who doesn’t?” Luka agreed, casting another glance at Thomas. His eyes were on Luka.

They chatted a while longer before Penelope and Aleandro excused themselves to circulate. Luka was in need of a new drink. “You ready for another?” he offered.

“Thanks. I’m just going to use the restroom.”

Luka was digging through the ice again when Finn appeared and threw his arm around Luka’s shoulders. “Luka!” he hissed.

“Buddy. What’s up?” he asked. The redhead seemed a little tipsy.

“Umm…” Finn looked around furtively, then leaned in to whisper into Luka’s ear, which was unnecessary given the volume of the room around them. “I think Rory might like me.”

“You don’t say?” Luka tried not to laugh. “What happened?”

“Well, we were in the kitchen talking, and they asked me out of nowhere if I thought Maverick and Goose ever hooked up.”

“And what did you say?”

“I said for sure, and then they asked which one I thought would have made the first move.” Finn fiddled with the zipper on his flight suit.

“Goose, obviously.”

“Right.”

“So? What did they say to that?”

“Well, then I came out here.”

Luka blinked at him. “And they’re just waiting in there still?

“Yeah.”

“Get back in there, you absolute moron. Go fucking kiss them.” Luka shoved Finn in the direction of the kitchen. “Now,” he added before Finn could protest.

He couldn’t resist peeking in as Finn shyly shuffled in and said something to Rory. A slow smile spread across Rory’s face, then Finn kissed them.

Luka felt a little thrill of happiness as their arms slid around each other. The kiss deepened when Finn leaned Rory back onto the counter. Luka smiled and turned to go get a beer for Thomas.

Chapter Nine

Losing Control

Luka handed Thomas his beer when he came back from the washroom.

“Thanks. What are you smiling about?” Thomas asked with an arched eyebrow.

Luka grinned. “Oh, nothing. Finn just got some good news.”

“Hmm.” Thomas twisted the cap off and took a drink. “Does it have to do with Rory?”

Luka guffawed. “It’s so obvious, right?” He nodded his head in the direction of the kitchen.

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