Page 71 of A Hard Sell

Finn shrugged. “Think about it. You don’t want him to leave and regret not even trying.”

When Thomas settled back at his desk, Luka watched him out of the corner of his eye. Say he did take the plunge, make a move, proposition Thomas for one last, wild night… What then? Then he would be even more miserable once Thomas left, knowing what he was missing. No, it was a ridiculous idea. The dreams were torture enough.

* * * *

The gulf between them grew wider and wider. They kept their conversations short and about work, the easy familiarity that had developed between them now stilted. Thomas didn’t come for drinks the next time they all went to the Exchange. Luka let it happen. Maybe it would make it easier when Thomas left.

Except by the time Valentine’s Day arrived, Luka was miserable. He normally didn’t mind the holiday, always managing to secure a date with someone cute—although of course last year he had spent it with Morgan on his couch. But this year it seemed cruel and unnecessary, a reminder of how very not with Thomas he was.

The team gathered in the conference room for an update on the campaign. Luka stared at the little bowls of pink and red heart-shaped chocolates Tawney had placed along the center of the table while Rory spoke. Then Ilona’s voice cut in.

“Before we finish up here, I have some news,” she was saying.

At the shift in her tone, Luka forced himself to give her his full attention.

“Aleandro has extended our contract for another four months,” she announced happily. “Congratulations, everyone. You should be proud of your exceptional work.”

The news was like hitting a wall. The air rushed out of him as his eyes snapped over to Thomas. Thomas was looking at his hands, a slow smile spreading across his face.

A wave of claps and small cheers swept through the room.

“Aw yeah!” Finn crowed as he high-fived Rory.

It was pretty wonderful news. There was no greater compliment than a client extending a contract. Luka did not give the slightest shit about that right now. His skin tingled with goosebumps. He looked at Thomas again.Four more months.Four more months of sitting next to him, being able to talk to him whenever he wanted, making him smile, watching the way his eyes crinkled and he tipped his head back when he was laughing hard. His smell sweeping over him, swirling around him like fucking fairy dust when he reached past him for a file. He wanted to cry with relief.I still get him for four more months.

“Does this mean Thomas is staying?” Rory asked, with a sidelong glance at Luka.

Thomas nodded. He looked up at Luka instead of Rory.

It doesn’t really change things,Luka’s brain was telling him.He’s still leaving soon.But Luka couldn’t fight the smile that spread across his face as they looked at each other.

Thomas smiled back.

* * * *

Finn slapped him on the back as they left the room. “Congrats, boys. You guys crushed it.”

“We all crushed it,” Luka corrected him. He was almost giddy. “We need to celebrate! Who’s free for a drink after work?”

Finn laughed. “Sorry, Moreno. Valentine’s Day, remember? We’ve got plans.” The look he shot Rory threatened to melt the paint right off the walls. Rory blushed.

“Oh. Right. Well, I don’t have any plans.” Luka looked at Thomas. “Do you?”

Thomas shook his head. “No.”

“Okay, this might be crazy, but…do you want to grab a drink anyway?”

Finn rolled his eyes behind Thomas’ back so hard Luka thought he might hurt himself.

“Uh…” Thomas looked a little panicked.

“Just to Exchange or something,” Luka babbled, thinking of the least romantic place he could.

Thomas nodded. “Sure.”

This is fine. Not weird.

* * * *

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