Page 64 of A Hard Sell

Ah, shit.Luka could see where this one was going. Well, at this point, what did it matter? “His family is in Solano.” He picked a small town not too far away, but far enough.

“Hmm.” He could see her wheels turning. “Are you sure he doesn’t want to come for a quick visit? He could pop down the day after Christmas?”

“Mother.” Luka drew the word out. “It’s a four-hour drive. There is no ‘popping’. And besides, we have been dating for only a few weeks. Just let me breathe, okay? You’ll get to meet him at some point if things work out.”

“Well.” She wasn’t entirely convinced. “Easter, maybe.”

Luka stifled a groan. He and Thomas would have to ‘break up’ before Easter.

“Be nice if your kids were close in age to Yasmin’s,” she muttered as she picked up the whisk again.

Luka shared a glance with his dad. Oscar shrugged.

Luka went for a shower.

* * * *

Merry Christmas,Luka typed.

He stared at the words for a second, then hit send.

Thomas replied right away.

Merry Christmas.

Luka tapped the edge of his phone for a minute.

Hope you’re having a good day.

“Yes, brilliant,” he said out loud to himself as soon as the message sent. “Hope you’re super happy alone on Christmas.”

Yeah, it’s fine.

Luka replied.

So, funny story. My mom was trying to set me up with her friend’s random son and I might have told her I was dating you.

He stared at the three dots as Thomas read the message. They disappeared, then came back. Then disappeared again.Oh God, that is not a funny story. That is a fucking awkward story. What have I done?

So Luka added more in a panic.

Of course now I’m in trouble because I didn’t bring you with me. Can’t win!

Three dots. Three dots. Then…Oh, fuck. Ishouldhave brought him with me, he realized.Right? Yes. No! No, he’s my boss. That would have been super weird. But…he’s also my friend. And he’s alone.

Luka sagged. He had gotten so caught up in his own feelings that he had left his friend alone on Christmas.I am a jerk.

Then a message came through.

That’s funny. Glad I could help.

Um…I feel like an asshole. I should have invited you to come with me. I’m so sorry.

This reply came quickly.

No, you don’t need to be sorry. It’s a lot to join someone’s family for the holidays.

Still. I should have asked.

---