* * *
“What the hell are you doing?” Zeke demanded.
Luke stared at his brother. “About what?”
“Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about.”
Rubbing his coarse beard, Luke shook his head. “I don’t know. I thought the meeting went really well.”
Zeke stepped closer. “You mean while you were shooting smiles and heart eyes at your assistant at the other end of the table? I asked what happened in Oahu and you denied everything.”
Luke pulled in a deep breath. Had other people noticed? Had Ava or the few other members around the table? Hopefully they’d been too focused on the presentation to catch anything he had been unaware he was giving off.
“Do you want to tell me what’s going on with Kelly?” Zeke asked. “And don’t tell me she’s just your assistant. I know that trip changed both of you.”
“Fine. She’s more. Is that what you want to hear?”
Zeke stared for another minute before taking a step back and cursing beneath his breath.
“What in the world are you thinking?” he demanded. “We’re in crisis-mode. That wasn’t my intention when I sent you on that trip.”
“What I do in my spare time is none of your damn business.” Luke willed himself to have patience here, because his brother didn’t know the details. “Kelly and I have nothing to do with you.”
Zeke nodded. “When it starts interfering with meetings, it sure as hell does.”
His brother continued to glower at him, obviously waiting on more of an explanation.
“Kelly and I got closer on the trip,” Luke added. “Details aren’t necessary, but that’s how we came up with this idea for Wingate.”
Silence surrounded them and Luke hated that he felt like he had to justify his actions when none of this was Zeke’s concern.
“Nobody is aware and I want things to stay that way,” Luke explained. “Kelly wasn’t just a fling and she’s not fodder for office gossip.”
Zeke’s brows drew in as he jerked slightly in obvious surprise. “You care for her.”
This was sure as hell not a conversation Luke had time for, nor did he want to get into with his brother at the office. There were too many other things to be doing, and Luke hadn’t even sorted out his emotions yet. If he had serious feelings, then Kelly was the first person who needed to know.
“Your silence speaks for itself,” Zeke stated.
“My silence is because I’m ignoring you. Nothing is said to Kelly or anyone else.”
Zeke’s face split into a wide grin. “Hey, if you want to keep your love life a secret, that’s fine. But it will come out sooner or later.”
Luke absolutely refused to answer. He could only handle so much at one time and he was juggling too many balls. If he dropped any, there would be another crisis.
He couldn’t let Wingate down and he couldn’t let Kelly down, either. He cared too much for the both of them and that scared the hell out of him.
Seventeen
Kelly hung her dress back in the walk-in closet and zipped the garment bag before closing the closet doors. She couldn’t believe she had time to find a dress and one that fit perfectly without alterations.
She wanted to look her best for the party and for Luke. Every detail had been worked out and the buzz around Royal was spreading like wildfire, with everyone wondering what the announcement could be from Wingate.
Luke had worked late every night this week, falling into bed almost immediately after he’d gotten in. They’d barely talked, except at work, while finishing up the final touches of the party. But he had so much more to do, because the resorts were all being informed of the upgrades and the changes. He’d been busy, in contact with all of those managers and having conference calls.
He’d stolen a few kisses and ass-grabs here and there, but nothing more. The real world really did hit them hard now that they were back, but there was so much to be done to move into this next phase.
She still felt a little strange being at his house, but since he’d asked her to stay, he’d never mentioned her leaving and she’d fallen into a pattern.