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But she’d have to go back to the hotel with Luca and the thought of walking back through the lobby with hih her stost the staff Even over so as innocent as a picnic She desperately needed to put the tone back to business
“We could do a variation on a winter picnic Soup in a thermal container, bread and cheese, hot cocoa and a dessert”
Luca grabbed the basket and began repacking the dishes she’d gathered into the basket “That’s brilliant We can adjust it and make it seasonal The Rocky Mountains in winter See, I knew you’d catch on”
Maybe to the concept, but definitely not the execution Falling in love and being romanced was fine for some people, but not for her Not anymore She looked over at Luca’s profile as he wrapped the now-elasses in linens to keep them safe Never would she let someone take over her life so ive anyone that ain
It was just as well Luca was only here for a feeeks, certainly he’d be gone by the new year In a way that made him safe, too Any attraction she felt wouldn’tand things being aard She just had to hold out until he was gone and she could get the life she’d built back Her safe life A life where no one had the power to hurt her again
“Why don’t you take the rest of the afternoon off?”
Luca stood, holding the basket Mari hopped up, grabbing the blanket and folding it into an i But her car was still at the hotel and she’d dallied enough today There was still work to be done and she didn’t want to take advantage It was important for her to end the day with their work relationship at the fore, not the lazy intimacy of the picnic
“Thanks for the offer, but my car’s still there anyway”
They walked back down the hill, To happily ahead The stress headache that had been lurking behind her eyes was coht She did need to relax more She certainly had relaxed with him Perhaps too much
“I’ll be back in a few e She put To the door and leaving again
Charlie drove up and opened the door for her Luca got in again, and her eyes were drawn to how the fabric of his trousers hugged his thigh As the car pulled away and back down theobvious He wore his clothes like he belonged in them He was at ease, comfortable with himself, and it ca she had that sort of self-assurance She agonized over every piece of her wardrobe, yet he seemed so at home in whatever he wore, whether it was jeans and a T-shirt, or dress trousers with his trendy shirts She i like she’d iant dinner, only it wasn’t guests she envisioned but the two of the out on their dance floor, with her on his arm…
“We’re here”