Page 12 of Loyally, Luke
“No electricity?” Holton’s brows rose. “Or beds?”
“The electrician is coming tomorrow and new furniture arrives this afternoon, so we’ll be just fine, Mr.Holton.”
The man nodded, humor lighting his eyes as he examined Luke for another second before gesturing them into the office. “Allow me to introduce Ms.St.Clare, the main overseer of this project.”
Luke entered behind Pete and turned.
His welcome smile died a slow death on his face.
Before him, in a gray suit and with golden hair pulled back in a familiar bun, stood Grace Kelly.
Chapter3
The Daily Edge: Social Tattle from One Edge of Skymar to the Other
With spring around the corner, all our royal watchers keep their eyes out for news about the annual Wild Hyacinth Ball. Who will be invited? Who won’t? And what special announcement will the royals make this year? No one comes to the Wild Hyacinth without a significant other, and this year the ball is dedicated to Princess Elliana as she steps back into life as a working royal. The rumor mill is spinning its tales on who Skymar’s prodigal princess will bring as her possible future prince. Do you have any guesses?
Three thoughts rushed through Luke’s mind at once:
He was never telling Penelope about this moment.
Grace Kelly’s pale blue button-down really brought out the color of her eyes.
God had an unpredictable sense of humor.
What came out of his mouth was...
“You?”
... which proved even funnier, in hindsight, because Grace Kelly said the same thing at the same time.
Something in the back of Luke’s mind made him think of Penelope’s scenario, then the wordmeet-cute.
And everything within him suddenly screamed,Retreat!
“You’ve met?” This from Mr.Holton, whose brows rose so high they might have matched Luke’s. Or Grace Kelly’s... er... Ms.St.Clare’s.
“In passing at the airport,” Ms.St.Clare said quickly, her gaze meeting his. “Nothing of consequence, of course.”
Of course.
Though his pulse beat a different response. However, that could be because the idea of working with this woman made him half annoyed and half... well, he wasn’t even sure. But annoyed wasn’t it.
“Do you still want me to take a look at the place?” Luke turned the conversation back to familiar territory. The job.
Mr.Holton looked to Grace Kelly... whom Luke needed to stop mentally referring to as Grace Kelly, because with his history, he’d inevitably make an idiot of himself andcallher Grace Kelly. She shifted her attention with a little uncertainty and then brought her palms together, ushering up a smile as practiced as Mr.Holton’s.
“I don’t see why not? Unless Mr.Edgewood has any misgivings?”
She wasn’t putting the blame back on him. “None at all.” He pushed up his own practiced smile and glanced over at Pete. “You?”
Pete’s gaze pinged from one person to the next, including the rather large man at Ms.St.Clare’s right, who had yet to be introduced. “I don’t think so.”
A silence fell over the room as Luke locked eyes with Ms.St.Clare, waiting for her to take the next move. Pretty eyes or not, he was going to keep his word and do what he’d promised Lewis Gray.
“Well then, I’m glad we can move forward.” She raised her chin and turned to the man beside her. “This is Mr.Brooks, a contractor for the Royal Trust. He’s currently working on another project but came this morning to assist you in your estimate.”
Assist? Hmm... or spy?
