Page 94 of A Hard Sell

This Is for You

Things weren’t quite as awkward after the wedding. They got used to just being friends again and, at least from Luka’s perspective, it was preferable pretending he hadn’t in fact thrown himself at his colleague. That wasn’t to say that there still weren’t moments that were a sharp pain in his chest. Every time his mom called, for example.

One day at lunch Luka decided he needed some fresh air, so he offered to run out to the deli down the street to pick up some sandwiches. His phone rang on the way back. When he glanced at the display and saw it was his mom, he thought about letting it go to voicemail for a hot second, but his conscience wouldn’t allow it.

“Hi, Mom,” he answered, tucking the bag of food under one arm.

“Oh, hello, my son! Long time no talk!” She always opened with either that, or ‘Well, hello, stranger!’

“Mmhmm, how are you?”

“Why aren’t you at work?” she asked. “I hear cars.”

“Just went to pick up some lunch. On my way back.”

“Did you get something for Thomas?”

“Yes, Mom, for both of us.”

“How are things going with him?”

He wanted to laugh hysterically. “Good.”

“Good, good. That’s great, Luka. Well, as you know, Easter is coming up…”

Luka gulped. Asking Thomas to go to Andchester for Easter when he had just flat-out rejected him…Oh, God. He shuddered at the idea.

But his mom had other plans.

“So, my parents have decided to come visit me for Easter,” Luka blurted as they unwrapped their sandwiches. His leg jack-hammered. “They’ve been meaning to get up here for a while, and my sister is taking her girls to Disneyland, so…” He trailed off and licked his lips.

Thomas looked up with interest. “That will be nice.”

“Yeah. It will. The thing is…”God, just say it, Luka.“The thing is, I haven’t told them we ‘broke up’ yet. I just wasn’t feeling ready to handle the ensuing interrogation. My mom would probably deliver Cynthia’s son to my doorstep herself if she thought I was single again.” He realized he was babbling and gave an embarrassed chuckle. “So…you don’t have to, but—”

“Luka.”

“Yeah?”

“I’ll do it.”

Luka blew out a breath. “Really?”

“Sure. I’d be happy to meet your mom and dad anyway.” He shrugged. “I don’t mind pretending to be your boyfriend.”

“Yeah, well, you haven’t met my mom.”

* * * *

“Luka!” Marta barreled through the door, throwing her arms around her son. She kissed him on both cheeks before she looked around. “Where’s Thomas?”

“It’s nice to see you too, Mom. He’s not here. Hi, Dad. How was the drive?”

“Oh, fine. Your mother insisted on stopping at every fruit stand we passed.” Oscar came in, towing two suitcases behind him, a bag of cherries slung on his arm.

“The cherries aren’t ready in Andchester yet. Why isn’t Thomas here? Did you two fight?” Marta frowned.

“He doesn’t live here, Mom. He’s coming for Easter dinner.”

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