Always You - A Second Chance Romance

Chapter 9

The next day at the convention was spent in and out of meetings with suppliers and factories that were attending. I avoided being alone with Luke as much as possible throughout the day, finding reasons to excuse myself whenever we were left alone.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, I found myself preoccupied mentally with what was going on with Nick. The distance between us emotionally was significantly more obvious with the physical distance between us right now. He had barely replied to my text from the night before, and the few texts I had sent him today. What Alexandria had said about the dinner night last week kept coming back to me as I mulled everything over. Where had Nick gone that night? And why did Alex say he cancelled dinner? Nick claimed he was with David that night, but something in my gut told me that wasn't true.

I was texting a response to Nick's latest vague text as I walked down the convention center hall to leave and flag a taxi home for the night when Chris stopped me.

"Thanks for all your hard work today," he said.

"Of course, just doing my job," I said. I slid my phone into my purse, saving my text draft for later to finish.

"Have you thought about things?" Chris asked. I nodded.

"I still need some more time," I said. Chris nodded.

"I know, I gave you until tomorrow evening," he said. I nodded and chewed my lip nervously.

"Heading home?" Chris asked, looking over my shoulder. I turned as Luke walked towards us.

"Yeah, what about you two?" Luke asked. He looked at Chris momentarily before turning to me with a soft smile.

"Yeah, the wife wants me home tonight for dinner," Chris said. He looked at his watch briefly before looking back up at us. "I have to get going, you two have a nice night. And Emily, I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Thanks, Chris, have a nice night," Luke said, shaking Chris' hand. Chris patted my arm gently and I said goodbye before he headed back down the hall leaving Luke and I alone. My throat tightened with anxiety as Luke's presence became overwhelming.

"Do you have dinner plans tonight?" Luke asked me. I shook my head silently, fishing out my phone from my purse. "Would you like to get dinner? With me?"

My heart stopped in my chest at his words. Part of me wanted to run, while a more prominent part than I wanted to admit wanted more than just dinner with Luke. I felt disgusted at myself for the conflicting emotions inside me. It was absurd for me to feel that way after all these years, and what he had done.

"You don't have to say yes," Luke said softly. I looked up at him and our eyes met. His deep eyes asking me to say yes and I felt something inside my heart tug. I opened my mouth to reply, but no words came out, so I closed my lips tightly.

"Emily," Luke said, his voice soft and pleading. "I just want to make things right."

"I don't think you can," I said, my voice as soft as his. I took a deep breath.

"I'd like to try," he said. I chewed my lip as I thought about it. Maybe hearing what he needed to say would help me decide on the project - or maybe it would provide a little closure to our past. Either way, it might be beneficial. I didn't realize I had started walking aimlessly, deep in thought, until I stepped on to the escalator. Luke looked down at me from the step above me, clearly confused too. I sighed as we stepped outside of the convention center.

"Okay," I said after much time. "I guess we can talk." Luke looked relieved at my answer and smiled softly at me. I flagged a taxi for us to head back to the hotel.