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“We’re closed!” I call as I open the door, the rest of my words dying away when I see Luke on the threshold. “Luke! What are you doing here?”
“I came back earlier than I planned, and I thought I’d come by and say hello.” Luke gives me that smile that starts the throbbing between my legs again. “Can I come in?”
“What? Oh, okay.” I step aside. “We’re done for the day, so I’m just finishing up.”
“That’s fine.” Luke closes the door behind him and follows me into the main studio. “What are you up to after you’re done here? I can take you and Amy out tonight. We can go and catch a movie or something.”
“I was planning on having a movie night in, actually. Amy loves doing those with us.” I smile at him. “You’re welcome to join us, if you want.”
“Is Ben going to be happy about that?”
“Ben’s working late tonight. He won’t be there to complain.”
Actually, he has barely been at the house to complain about anything. If I didn’t see him around every now and then, I would have thought that he had moved out. Ben has withdrawn from us since Luke turned up again, although he is still attentive towards Amy. I understand why he’s upset, but it feels like he’s sulking elsewhere because he’s not the only male figure in Amy’s life. Luke doesn’t want to tread on anyone’s toes, but Ben is purposefully shoving his under Luke’s foot.
I need to have a talk with him.
“By the way, I meant to ask,” Luke leans a hip on my desk as I sit down again, “have you arranged a meeting time with your dad? You said that he came along to meet you at Amy’s game.”
“Oh, that.” I have almost forgotten about that. “I’ll check with Grandma later. I’ve not put it on my list of priorities right now.”
“Is it because you don’t want to?”
“Pretty much.” I sigh. “I know it’s awful to hear when it’s my dad, but after what he did I don’t really want to give him the time of day.”
“What do you think he wants?”
“I have no idea. Maybe a reconciliation? A chance to meet his granddaughter? Whatever he wants, I’m not having that tart involved. She can burst into flames, as far as I’m concerned.”
Luke’s mouth twitches.
“That’s a bit of a strong sentiment.”
“Given what she’s done, it’s the least she could do. I’m not having her anywhere near Amy.” Especially given her mental state regarding being unable to have kids. I don’t want to give her an opportunity to be anywhere near Amy. My gut says that she will take advantage of it. “I’m worried that it’s not completely innocent. What my dad wants to discuss, I mean. I don’t want to do it, but it’s the least I can do for Amy. Then I can say I tried.”
“I get that.” Luke’s voice is gentle. “If you want, I can go with you if you need support.”
I’m touched, but I shake my head.
“It’s fine. Carly says she’ll go with me. She’s scarier than you can ever be.”
“I can be scary when I want to be.”
“I’m sure you can, but I’ve got this covered.” I touch his arm. “I do appreciate your offer, though, Luke.”
Luke regards me thoughtfully.
“Is it because you don’t trust me, Elle?”
“What? Where did that come from?”
“Would you allow me to go with you if you trusted me?”
I don’t know what to say to that. I stand up and start to walk around him; having him this close is a little confining.
“We’re not discussing us, Luke. Not now.”
When Luke touches my wrist, his warm hand closing around my fingers, I find that I can’t walk away. I’m frozen as Luke straightens up and urges me to turn to him. His touch moves up my arm stroking my elbow before going up to my shoulder.
