Page 48 of A Hard Sell

Thomas laughed.

He actuallylaughed,full-throated, head thrown back, shoulders relaxed, eyes crinkled with mirth.

Luka moved his hand away to watch that beautiful face light up.

“Oh, sure, laugh now.” Finn shook his head. “You didn’t have to use those porta-potties.”

“Shut up, Finn!” Luka demanded through giggles. “I did my best.”

“Well, so did my large intestine.”

Rory burst out laughing, too. Before Luka knew it, the four of them were roaring, dessert forgotten. Luka wiped at his tears and looked over at Thomas. He was looking back, eyes shining.

His stomach twisted.Fuck. Ineedhim.

* * * *

“Well, thank you for an amazing meal,” Luka said when they had collected themselves and finished their pie. He leaned back to pat his stomach. “I won’t be eating again for at least a week.”

“It was our pleasure.” Rory went to stand, but both Thomas and Luka jumped to their feet and began grabbing dishes.

“Oh, no no no. You two just relax and finish your wine,” Luka ordered. “We will clean up.”Stop with the ‘we’. There is no ‘we’,he reminded himself.

Finn and Rory retired to the living room while Thomas and Luka cleared the table. Then Luka eyed the kitchen. It was heaped with dirty dishes, crusted pans and empty boxes, all topped with a generous garnish of gravy splatters and greasy fingerprints. He puffed out his cheeks. “Well. Let’s slay this beast, shall we?”

It turned out they were as smooth and efficient in a kitchen together as they were at work. Thomas started by attacking the stack of plates next to the sink, scraping them into the garbage. He handed them to Luka who rinsed and loaded them into the dishwasher.

When the dishwasher was full, Thomas began to fill the sink with soapy water. Their shoulders bumped as Luka reached for the first pan to dry.

They chatted about work a bit, but Luka wondered if he could poke around for any mentions of Morgan. “So what are you up to for the rest of the weekend? Any plans?” In all this time he’d been at their office, Thomas had never mentioned spending time with anyone outside of work.

“The usual.” Thomas shrugged, scrubbing a stubborn pot. “Go for a run, work out, get some coffee. If the weather holds, I’ll take the bike out.”

“Sounds nice.” Luka felt like he was going to burst.Fuck it.“So…you never mentioned.” He studied the wooden bowl he was drying. “How was your date with Morgan?”

“Not a date.”

“Right. Sorry. How was your ‘getting a drink’ with Morgan?”

Thomas pursed his lips, considering. “It was… Well…” He put the sponge down and turned to look at Luka. “He’s a little arrogant, isn’t he?”

Luka sagged against the counter in relief. “The actual worst.”

“He was waiting at the elevator when I arrived that morning after the party and was buzzing around me all day. I felt like I had to say yes. And then, at that awful bar, he wouldn’t stop talking about wine and his band.” Thomas put the word ‘band’ in air quotes, and Luka’s heart swelled. “He barely let me get a word in edgewise. I don’t think he asked me a single question. Never again,” Thomas finished, shaking his head.

“I’m relieved to hear you say that.” Luka reached for the pot from Thomas. Their fingers brushed.

“Are you?” Thomas’ molten eyes were on him again.

Luka squirmed. “I mean, Morgan is manipulative, too. I didn’t want him getting his claws into you.” He took a steadying breath.

“Don’t worry.” Thomas grunted, turning his attention back to the greasy water. “He won’t.”

“Good.”

* * * *

The beast slain, Luka and Thomas made their way back into the living room. Luka topped up their wine glasses and took a seat next to Thomas on the couch. Finn and Rory were making good use of the appropriately named loveseat, Finn’s arm around Rory, ankles woven together. A fire danced behind the grate, casting the room in a soft glow.

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