"I'm not going to change my mind," I say.
"Sure. No pressure. Sleep on it. Dream about the Tony you'll place on your mantle."
I shake my head. I can't dream about anything. Six months is far too long to be away from Luke. Things are so good right now. It's not worth risking them.
Not for anything.
***
I'm relieved when Luke isn't home. It gives me time to compose myself, so he doesn't immediately know I'm hiding something.
God, I shouldn't be so secretive. He's not Ryan. He's not going to hold it against me.
But he'll get so excited. He'll offer to come with me and completely throw the six months he's spent building a business out the window. Or he'll be devastated when I tell him I can't take it.
> It might be worse if he didn't offer to come with me. What if he was okay with six months apart? I know he loves me. I never doubt that... but passion does fade. Even Luke's.
The buzz of my phone jolts me into awareness. It's Luke. I'll be home in ten.
It's just a part. It's no big deal. There's no reason why I have to tell him.
And there's no reason why I shouldn't tell him. Not if I trust him.
I resolve to play it by ear, and step into the shower. That should ease the ache growing in the back of my head. It almost works. The pounding water drowns out my thoughts. And it's warm enough to relax my achy muscles.
Only eight days and I'll be in San Diego with Luke. I'll be spending the weekend rolling around in bed, reacquainting myself with every delicious part of his body.
The front door opens. We don't have to wait until this weekend. We can get started early.
I turn off the shower and meet Luke in the living room.
His eyes go wide with delight. He smiles. "I like your outfit."
I arch my back and shrug like it's no big deal that I'm naked in the living room.
He takes a long look at me, practically licking his lips. "Did you eat at work or do you want in on my delivery order?"
"I'm in," I say.
He slides out of his jacket and hangs it off a chair. His eyes find mine. They're concerned. "Is everything okay?
"I'm naked and you ask if everything is okay?"
He nods. "I'd love to throw you on the bed and have my way with you, but you seem upset."
I shake my head. There's no reason to bring up the part. Not yet. "I'm tired. That's it." I bite my lip. That's close enough to the truth.
"Well, you'll be on vacation soon. But I have to admit, you won't get much rest." He slides his arms around me. "Are you sure nothing is wrong?"
I nod.
"Because I have to say, I like this look of yours. I like it a lot." He rubs my shoulders, but he's holding something back. "Didn't you take a shower this morning?"
"I wanted to relax."
"Ally, you know I don't want to push you, but..."
"You go crazy when I don't talk to you?"