I look down at my hands, shaking off the image of Luke in his birthday suit, falling down from the sky. Focus, Tess.
Shame creeps into my chest. I’d built up this image of a playboy rich kid in my mind. I’d never even considered his feelings in the matter.
But I can’t let that stop me or change my mind. This needs to be done. We’ll both be better off once it is.
“I’m sorry,” I say. “Sorry that I got us into this mess in the first place. But I’m going to get it fixed, and then we can both move on. Strictly professionally.”
“Sure,” he says quietly, nodding. “Strictly professional.”
I feel the need to change the subject. “Speaking of which . . . I assume your offer of a position as your PA wasn’t a joke?”
“Never been more serious about anything in my life,” he answers quickly.
“Okay,” I reply. “So what will the role involve? I’d like know so I can get prepared.”
He thinks for a few moments. “I’m not quite sure yet. InFini is a new acquisition, so I’m going to need some time to figure things out and see where I want to take the business. If you can just make yourself available to me, I’ll make sure to keep you busy.”
He grins at me, the mischievous spark back in his eyes. We both laugh, and it seems like some of the tension between us is eased.
Maybe this won’t be so bad.
“I should be getting back.” I check my watch. “I was already late this morning, and I don’t want to repeat that.”
“Nah, I’m going to drop you off at home,” he says. “I saw how uncomfortable you were back there, what with everyone staring at us and all. You can take the rest of the day off.”
“You noticed that?” I say.
“Sure,” he shrugs. “It’s my job to. I’m your husband, remember? Got to keep my wife happy. Happy wife, happy life.”
Or . . . maybe it will.
Luke
We finish up the meal. As we’re leaving the little restaurant, Abdel pats me on the shoulder, gives a pointed look at Tessa, and shoots me a huge grin. A thumbs-up, too.
“Any lady that eats as much of my food as that, Mr. Alder . . . Well, you make sure you keep hold of that one, okay? You have good taste in both food and women.”
I grin and slip him a fifty-dollar bill. “That’s for the food and the flattery, Abdel.”
Tessa’s waiting for me outside. She watched my interaction with Abdel, but she doesn’t make a comment. She’s not smiling either.
“Thanks for lunch, Luke. Are you sure you don’t need me to go back to work? I’ve still got so much I need to get to grips with.”
She’s annoyed about the little “happy wife” quip I made, I can tell. She won’t say anything, but I’ve already come to realize that when she’s pissed off she does this little thing with her nostrils, where they flare out a little.
It’s ridiculously cute, and almost makes me want to make another bad joke just to see it again. Better not push it, though.
“Nah,” I say. “You’ve had an intense first day. I’ll take you home and you can start fresh tomorrow.”
She just shrugs and we make our way back to the InFini building. She’s walking a little bit faster than me, obviously still annoyed by the comment.
I should feel remorseful, maybe even apologize, but I simply can’t. She’s just so cute.
Don’t get too attached, Luke. Remember, she’s still determined to end this marriage, no matter what. Stubborn as a mule, this one.
I can’t say I understand. We have a good time when we’re together, and there’s good chemistry between us. Why throw it away just because it was a spur-of-the-moment thing?
I’ll try to respect her decision, though, even if it’s damn hard. Sure, we can get an annulment if that’s what she wants. I’ll still get to see her every day at the office. She’ll still be working right under me.
It only takes a couple minutes to walk back to the building. I lead Tessa around to the back, where the executive parking garage is—my executive parking garage, now that I own this company.
The valet greets me and disappears inside, returning a couple minutes later behind the wheel of my silver ride—nothing too ostentatious, but still a damn nice car.
Tessa’s eyes light up. “Is that a Porsche 911 GT?”
“Yeah. You into cars?” I ask, a little surprised.
“Not really,” she says, “but I really like the way that one looks. It’s so sleek and compact.”
I shrug, pretending to play it cool but secretly enjoying her enthusiasm. “This one is my daily driver. I have faster ones back at my place. Maybe I’ll invite you around to see them some time.”
The smile on her face dies at my words, and I mentally kick myself.