Always You - A Second Chance Romance

Chapter 12

My words hung in the air as the elevator doors opened. Luke's head had turned immediately when the words left my mouth and his eyes locked to mine. We stared at each other for a moment until the elevator doors began to close. Luke jumped and pressed the door open button and we both stepped into the hallway of the hotel.

My stomach twisted as my words echoed in my ears.

I still love you.

Regret filled my chest and I felt sick to my stomach. I couldn't take those words back. I didn't want to take them back, but I knew better than to have said them.

"I'm sorry," I whispered before turning and bolting down the hallway to my room quickly. Luke didn't reply, and if he was going to I wasn't going to wait to hear his response. I unlocked my hotel room, closing the latch and deadbolt behind me.

My heart kept racing all night, and even when i got into bed it was still pounding in my ears. I figured going to sleep might help me to calm down. I groaned as my mind replayed Luke's face after what I had said. I was completely mortified. How could I be so stupid?

I looked at the clock on my nightstand, it was past midnight and we had an early morning the next day at the convention. My stomach twisted again as I realized I owed Chris an answer tomorrow evening regarding the project he wanted me on. I thought I had more time, but I was still undecided.

I stared up at the ceiling of my hotel room in the dark, remaking a mental pro and cons list regarding the project for next year. Up until tonight I was planning on staying on the project, but after what I said I was uncertain once more. I just proved to myself that my feelings for Luke would get in the way, how would I be able to work with him?

My phone buzzed on my nightstand and I rolled over in the dark to check who texted me. I unlocked my phone to find another text from Nick.

N - I love you always. We will fix this.

N - I'm sorry about tonight. I hope you get some rest. We'll talk more tomorrow. Goodnight.

After texting Nick back a nice reply, I laid back down in bed, hoping sleep would overtake me. Instead, I tossed and turned for what felt like hours as my mind raced with the project, my decision, and visions of Luke. I groaned and rubbed my eyes, hoping they'd get sleepy. What was I going to do?

My phone buzzed again and I ignored it, rolling over and putting my back to the light that illuminated my room. Moments later it buzzed again and I still ignored it. When it started buzzing consistently I groaned and sat up, grabbing it off the nightstand to answer, or mute, whatever call was coming through but my breath caught in my throat when Luke's name flashed on my screen. I let it go to voicemail and when he didn't call again, I put my phone down, ignoring his text as well, and laid back down.

My eyes finally began to grow heavy and I embraced the sleepiness that overcame me. I had restless dreams all night; dreams about Nick, dreams about work, but every dream had Luke. Luke's eyes, Luke's smile, his laugh. I couldn't escape him even in my dreams.

When my alarm went off in the morning, I snoozed it immediately, utterly exhausted. Eventually I pulled myself out of bed and got dressed. My stomach felt heavy with anxiety as I moved sluggishly getting ready. I threw my things into my bag and opened my hotel room door to head out, only to find Luke standing outside. His presence startled me and I dropped my metal water bottle. It hit the tile floor of the entry way to my room with a clang, making both of us jump.

Luke bent down and picked it up, handing it back to me.

"Thanks," I said softly.

"I'm sorry I startled you," Luke said, his voice low. "I wanted to catch you before the convention." The combination of anxiety and butterflies made me feel sick. I looked at Luke, who looked just as exhausted as I felt, before stepping to the side to let him into my room. He stepped in and the door closed behind him.

"What is it?" I said. I internally winced at the unintentionally annoyed tone of my voice. I unfolded my arms from my chest, trying not to look annoyed or upset.

"About last night," Luke said, clearing his throat. I took a deep breath in an attempt to calm my nerves.

"You don't need to say anything," I said. I tried to make my voice sound as emotionless and level headed as possible. "It was inappropriate of me and I'm sorry. I was drunk."

"Oh," Luke said, surprise in his voice. He scratched the back of his head nervously.

"Anything else?" I asked him.

"Did you make your decision on the project?"

"I did," I lied. I was still uncertain, I figured when I saw Chris I would know what to say and would just go with my gut.

"And?" Luke raised his eyebrows at me curiously. I swallowed hard, trying to trust my gut to say the right thing.

"I can't work on the project," I said quietly. The words that left my lips felt forced. My heart deflated inside me with disappointment. I wanted this project so badly, so why was I going to turn it down? I knew it was the right thing to do, but my reaction affirmed the fact that I should stay on the project. Luke's face washed with disappointment, mirroring my own.

"Is it because of last night?" He asked. I shook my head slowly, but we both knew last night had affected this choice. "Emily, you can't give this up."

"It's not just last night," I said softly. "It's everything. It's you, it's the project, it's my home life. I can't do this." I hoped these words would convince myself that backing down was the right thing to do, but it all felt like a lie.

"But you've worked so hard," Luke said. "You deserve this project."

"I can't," I said, my voice cracking. I looked away from Luke.

"Emily, you should stay on the program," Luke said. "I'll talk to Chris."

"Why would you talk to Chris?" I asked him, looking back up. Luke shrugged in response.

"I should be the one dropping the project," he said. "You've been here longer and deserve it more."

"Chris literally hired you for the project," I argued. "You can't drop off the project. You'll lose your job."

Luke and I stared at each other for a moment. We both knew we were both right and we both knew we were wrong. I shouldn't drop off the project, and neither should he. But we both knew working together would pose its.... challenges.

"If I stay on the project you should too," I said after a few minutes. My heart beat erratically in my chest as my words hung in the air. I wanted Luke to stay and work with me. I wanted this project, but I didn't want it without him. My mind reeled with a hundred ways it could go badly, but having him near me, working with him, being with him, was the only thing that my heart could focus on. He was the only thing that seemed clear in this moment.

"I'll only stay if you do," he said. My heart leapt inside me and I bit my lip to keep myself from smiling.

"Then I think we have a deal," I said. I stuck my hand out and Luke chuckled as he took my hand in his, shaking it gently. I couldn't help the soft gasp that escaped my lips from the electric shock that traveled up my arm from his touch. Our eyes locked and I quickly pulled my hand away from his, not trusting myself further. The emotion in his eyes started a fire in my belly that I hadn't felt in a decade and I looked away.

"Emily," Luke started to say.

"We should go downstairs. I need some coffee before we have to meet Chris," I said, cutting him off. I grabbed my hotel room key off the dresser and looked over at Luke. He pressed his lips into a tight line and nodded before following me out of the room.