Page 43 of A Hard Sell

“As you should,” Luka agreed. He basked in the sparkle from Thomas’ eyes.

Then it was back onto the set for two more hours of their fake date. Hanna appeared at their table after a break. “You two have amazing chemistry. Wanna try some acting?”

“Um.” Luka shot a look at Thomas, who stared back wide-eyed and shrugged. “Okay?”

“Great!” Hanna steamrolled ahead. “We thought we could get a few closer shots of you in date mode. Just chatting, smiling… Then as the camera pans over your table, I want you to reach for his hand, Thomas, and squeeze it. Give me, like, third-date, head-over-heels energy. And then pull back and pick up your wine glass.”

“Got it.” Thomas nodded, avoiding Luka’s gaze.

“Places,” Hanna called as she retreated back behind the camera with Yuan. “Background… And, action!”

Thomas looked at him, and Luka’s stomach swirled like it was the first time meeting those eyes.Oh God.Stomachs didn’t do that for no reason. Stomachs did that when people were suffering from excruciating, all-consuming infatuation. He wanted to laugh at his futile attempt to pretend he was over it after the party. He was not over it. He was under it. Deep.

“What’s your favorite thing to do on a date?” Thomas whispered with a gentle smile.

“What?” Luka’s heart was racing.

“Just making fake conversation.”

“Oh. Oh!” Luka laughed. The camera began to pan over.

Thomas reached for his hand. Thomas’ hand was large, bigger than Luka’s. It covered his completely.

“Um…” Luka said, his mind blank.

“Cut!” Yuan barked.

Hanna conferred with him, then hustled over. “Uh, Luka. You looked, maybe confused, when he touched you? Can you look like you’re in love? There are no confused people at Aleandro’s.”

“Right, yup.” Luka bobbed his head. “Got it. Sorry.”

“Places,” Hanna ordered again. The servers reset. “Action!”

“Well?” Thomas said. “Whenever you’re ready.” He tilted his head and looked at Luka with soft eyes. Every thought flew from Luka’s head again. Thomas was a good actor.Imagine if he was actually in love with me, looking at me like this.His chest ached.

He placed his hand on Luka’s again, rubbing his thumb in small circles.

“I…I don’t know,” Luka stammered.Am I dying?

“Cut!”

“Shit, sorry.” Luka rubbed his face and looked at Hanna. “Sorry.”

“In love, Luka.”

“Got it.”Jesus. Pretty sure I can act like I’m in love with the sexiest man on earth.He looked at Thomas again and let himself do what he was always trying not to—stare. Really stare. The hair stylist had redone his bun, but after a long day, a few hairs were starting to escape, frizzing around his temples. His eyes were as molten as ever, lashes thick, nose sharp, jaw that could cut granite. And those lips…pink and plump, a soft arch, begging to be sucked on…Fuck.

“My favorite date is just hanging out,” Luka said, the words suddenly coming easily. “Like eating and watching a good show.” That’s all he did with Morgan of course, but… “And just…laughing. Enjoying each other’s company. Feeling safe with that person, like you can be yourself. And knowing they feel the same.”

Thomas stared back, unblinking.

“Cut!”

“Thomas,” Hanna said, a hint of exasperation creeping into her voice. “You forgot to touch his hand. Look guys, I can get someone else.”

“No! No. No, we’ve got this.” Thomas shook his head at Hanna then looked at Luka. “Right?”

“Hell yeah.”

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