Page 85 of Loyally, Luke
“Do you think the sledding was too much for her?”
Pete’s question pulled Luke’s attention away from caulking the new crown molding in the kitchen’s additional room. He looked down from his lofty height on the ladder, catching a raised brow from Gordon as he did so.
“I’m sure she has a lot of responsibilities that don’t include Cambric Hall, Pete.”
Pete’s brow crinkled as he stood holding an extra caulking gun and some paper towels. “I just thought, well, it seemed the two of you were gettin’ on so well—”
“Pete.” Luke shook his head and went back to caulking, attempting to ignore the nauseous weight in his stomach.
“So you’re gonna end up like that movie, are ya?”
Luke refused to look the man’s way. “Movie?”
“Yeah, it was one of my sister’s favorites. Princess and a commoner who had to make the choice to separate at the end. I think it takes place in Rome or someplace like that.”
Luke grimaced, as much because he knew exactly which movie Pete referenced as because of the actual truth of his statement.Roman Holiday. One of Penelope’s many favorites.
“I don’t know that I’d call my relationship with Ellie a romance.” Luke cleared his throat and kept his focus on his work. “A friendship, maybe, but I never expected a future with a princess, Pete.”
Which was true. Not once in all his plans did he contemplate anything close to a romance with anyone remotely famous or rich, letalone a princess. He’d daydreamed a little about something with Ellie, the interior designer, but not Princess Elliana, the royal.
Luke gestured toward the kitchen. “Would you go check on Jamie and Cade’s progress with puttying the nail holes in the baseboard in the kitchen? They’re good kids, but probably need a little extra nudge to keep on track.”
Luke finished up his work and then climbed down the ladder, meeting Gordon as he rose from the floor. The older man narrowed his eyes as he examined Luke.
“She’s stayin’ away because she’s afraid.”
“Afraid?”
“She cares for you. Anyone with two eyes and half a brain can sort that one out.” Gordon raised a brow and gave a slow shake of his head. “She’s trying to make it easier, I suppose, though I doubt it helps much.”
Luke studied the man. “And I suppose you have a better idea?”
Gordon chuckled. “There’s no way around getting your hearts broken at this point, lad. You’re bound for it, one way or the other.” He shrugged a shoulder. “So if I knew I was going to hurt anyway, I think I’d be tempted to make it worth the pain.”
Gordon left Luke standing in the empty room staring, unseeing, at the doorway. As completely ridiculous as Gordon’s advice was, it made the most sense of anything related to him and Ellie thus far.
Luke couldn’t change the fact he wasn’t meant for royalty.
And Ellie couldn’t change the fact that she was.
So if they couldn’t change the future, could they leave with enough sweet memories to make the heartache more bearable? Was that even possible?
“Come home with me for supper, yeah?” Gordon gave a curt nod to brook no refusal. “Young Pete is off on another date, and you’re in need of company.” His grin quirked. “I’ll drive you home after. Nessa’ll be glad to see ya.”
“This isn’t another accidental meeting between me and Ellie, is it?”
Gordon’s bushy brows took an upswing. “I leave those accidents to Nessa. But if you come over, you can rest assured the conversation will be worthwhile.”
***
Text from Luke to Izzy:Any idea what I should wear to a board luncheon?
Izzy:Your Hulk Underoos. That should liven up a “bored” meeting.
Luke:Did I just text Penelope by mistake? Because that was horrible.
Izzy:Sorry, I’ve been texting her most of the afternoon about wedding ideas, so I think she’s probably rubbed off on me.
