Page 46 of A Hard Sell

“Thanks.” Thomas cleared his throat. “I like yours, too.”

Luka was wearing one of his old stand-bys—a long-sleeved white button-down with tiny black specks swirling around, which always reminded him of tadpoles. And he might have left quite a few buttons undone as well.If you’ve got it, flaunt it,he had encouraged himself in the mirror as he was getting ready.

“Thanks.” His heart skittered again.

They made their way up the walkway to Finn’s yellow house. The door flung open before they could knock, the frame filled with a beaming redhead.

“Happy Thanksgiving!” Finn declared. He took the rolls from Luka. “Get in here, you two. Help me convince Rory the gravy isn’t too thin.”

“This is for you,” Thomas said, handing the pot over to Finn. “I noticed you don’t have any plants.”

Finn eyed it skeptically. “Yeah, I always kill them. But”—he brightened up—“it might have more of a chance now that Rory is around. Thanks, Wolf.”

Finn bustled them into the kitchen where they deposited the food they had brought. Rory was stirring gravy in a ‘Kiss the Cook’ apron.

“Luka, Thomas,” they said warmly, giving each of them a hug. “Thank you for coming.”

“Thank you for having us,” Luka replied, blushing when he realized he had answered for Thomas. “Wow, this all looks amazing. Especially the gravy.”

Rory tisked at Finn and swatted him with a dish towel. “You told them.”

“No, I… Yeah, I may have mentioned something. But the gravy is perfect, love.”

Luka smiled at the pet name. They could not be any more adorable. Then the dining room caught his attention through the doorway. It was beautifully set, warm colors accented in gold, shimming in candlelight.

“Just the four of us?” Luka asked when he saw how…cozyit looked.

“Yup,” Finn said. “I asked Ilona, but Aleandro and Penelope had already invited her to Camarillo. Everyone else had plans.”

Thomas’ face was unreadable. Luka did his best to keep his impassive, too, as his brain chattered away about how this feltvery muchlike a double date.

“Dinner is almost ready!” Rory announced, turning off the burner. “Why don’t you two have a seat? Finn will get you a drink.”

“Aleandro dropped off a whole case!” Finn grinned. “Is the Chéreau okay?” They made their way into the dining room.

“Sounds great.” Luka pulled a chair out and sat. “The table is beautiful.”

“That’s all Rory,” Finn said. “For a numbers guru, they fold a mean napkin.” He pointed proudly at the swans.

Rory followed them in, dropping off a dish of potatoes. “Thanks, hon.”

Finn smiled at him, eyes shining. He slid his arm around Rory’s waist and planted a kiss on their cheek.

Once every spare inch of the table was covered with food, Finn and Rory settled across from Thomas and Luka, all soft touches and lingering glances. At one point Finn refilled Rory’s glass, and Rory leaned over to kiss him.

Luka could sense Thomas shifting in his seat beside him.

“So, Thomas,” Luka started, turning to face him. “I’ve been meaning to ask you, what was it like working in Fullerton before you came here? You can tell us.” The Fullerton branch was known for their outlandish ideas that were sometimes hits, sometimes catastrophic misses.

“Fullerton?” That got Finn’s attention. “That crew is crazy.”

“Mmm,” Thomas agreed, taking a sip of his water. “You’d fit right in.”

Rory and Luka snickered while Finn pointed his fork at Thomas with an amused smirk. “Watch it, Wolf. I’m not above taking you down a peg or two.”

Thomas cocked an eyebrow at him. “You can try.”

“Yes, yes, you’re both very tough,” Luka appeased them. “Tell us about working for Harvey. You must have some stories!”

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