I can’t look at Luke. I can’t. Because if I do, I’m going to laugh or cry or maybe just kiss him, right here in front of everyone. Instead I focus on Trent, picking his way through the crowd to get to the front. I’m gripping the edge of the podium so hard I’m sure I’m going to leave half-moon fingernail marks in the woodgrain. Every part of my body feels like it’s sweating right now. Under my long dress, my legs are shaking.

I don’t know why I’m so nervous. Well, okay, I’m making a life-altering announcement in front of a room full of strangers. Worse, I’m about to spring a hell of a surprise on the man I love. I keep telling myself he’ll be happy, but what if he’s not? What if this still isn’t enough to save us?

Trent reaches the front and I see him whisper something to Luke. My stomach clenches as I watch them together.

It has to be enough.

It has to be.

Trent comes to stand on my other side and gives me a quick nod. I take a deep, shaky breath and turn back to the microphone.

“I wasn’t lying when I said this process has been a life-changing experience. Over these past couple of months, I’ve come to have a deep respect — some might even say love — of Loft & Barn. Watching our bloggers and designers work with both collections has shown us how Bailey Living’s vintage style can be blended seamlessly with the modern sensibility of Loft & Barn. Together, we can be something greater than the sum of our parts.” I take one more deep breath. “We learned all of this because of the Trinity Central Hospital fundraiser, which is why we wanted all of you to be the first to hear the news. Trent?”

I step aside to give him the microphone, and my shoulder rubs against Luke’s. Even that simple touch sends my heart racing, but I can’t — won’t — let myself look up at him. I might fall apart if I do. Instead I squeeze my thighs together, trying to stop the throbbing between my legs.

“Thank you, Bree,” he says smoothly. “I agree one hundred percent with everything you just said. That’s why it is our pleasure to announce that, effective immediately, Loft & Barn has acquired Bailey Living.”

The crowd gives off a surprised murmur. I hear Luke suck in his breath and I finally risk a glance over at him. He’s staring at me, his eyes dark. I can’t read the expression in them. I had hoped he’d be ecstatic, but he looks confused, concerned, wary.

“Rather than simply folding Bailey Living into Loft & Barn,” Trent continues. “We’ll be opening a new division called Bailey Vintage, that honors the history, integrity, quality and style that Bailey Living has always embodied. I’m delighted to add that Bree Bailey has agreed to come on as a part-time consultant to help us reimagine and grow the new line.”

I sneak another peek at Luke, but this time he isn’t even looking at me. He’s staring straight ahead. There’s a slight smile on his face, but I can tell that it’s forced, that he’s only keeping it on because he’s standing up here in front of all these people.

God. Maybe we shouldn’t have put him on the spot like this. Trent and Hannah had thought it would be a good idea, but now I’m second-guessing everything. Did I do the right thing?

I know selling the company to Trent is the right thing to do. It’s what Dad had wanted, after all. And I’d only had to talk to Trent for a short while to realize he has an incredible amount of respect for my father. I know he’ll do everything he can to honor the integrity of Dad’s life work. In fact, keeping me on as a consultant had been his idea, so I know he’s committed to the idea. And best of all, I’d been able to get him to agree to keep our entire staff for at least three years, so no one would lose their jobs.

But not consulting Luke on any of this … maybe that part was a mistake.

I look up at him from under my lashes and find him still gazing straight ahead. His body is ramrod straight and I want to run my hands along his chest, make him look at me and talk to me and tell me what he’s thinking.

Soon. As soon as we can get out of here.

One of the reporters in the front row raises his hand to get Trent’s attention.

“Oh, I see we have questions,” he says, acknowledging the man. “Yes?”

“How do you anticipate this acquisition will impact your impending IPO?”

“Well, we expect it to make Loft & Barn an even more appealing investment. After all, now you’re getting two companies for the price of one.” Trent grins. He’s so confident up there. I feel a wave of relief that I’ll no longer be responsible for the daily decision-making at Bailey Living. Trent seems like the kind of man who was born for this job.

Another reporter raises her hand. I recognize her from the other day, the one who was grilling Luke about our kiss. Robyn, I think her name was.

“Question for Bree,” she says.

Great. I force myself to smile but at my sides, my hands are balling anxiously into fists. “Yes?”

“Now that you’ll only be working as a part-time consultant, does that mean you’ll be returning to Bounce?”

I let out a sigh of relief. “That’s the plan, yes.” And God, I. Can. Not. Wait.

“So will you be going back to Paris, then?”

Shit. I glance over at Luke but he still won’t meet my gaze.

“That’s … still undetermined,” I mumble. Margaux and I had discussed it, and it’s certainly a possibility, but what I really want is a reason to stay in Chicago. I want Luke to give me a reason to stay in Chicago.

Trent catches my discomfort and steps back to the microphone. “Thank you all for letting us share our exciting news with you. We won’t take up any more of Tomas’s time up here. I know everyone is eager to get to the real excitement of the evening — the lottery winners.”

With an easy grin, he turns away from the podium and the three of us make our way away from the front.

Tomas heads back behind the podium and starts to speak, but I’m too focused on Luke to pay any attention. As soon as we’re away from the front of the crowd he grabs my arm and pulls. He moves quickly, but I follow him as we cut a swath through the crowd. He stays two steps in front of me and I keep my eyes on the solid wall of his back, covered in an expensive tuxedo jacket.

I expect him just to lead me somewhere quieter where we can talk, or maybe over to the bar, but instead he pulls me right towards the main doors of the hotel and then out into the cool night air. He hasn’t said a word to me yet, and he still doesn’t as he hails a cab and hustles me towards the car.

“Luke…”

“Come on,” he says gruffly. He eases me into the cab and slams the door closed behind me. My heart seizes. Is he really not even going to talk to me?

But no. I watch as he crosses around behind the cab and climbs in the other side.

“Where are we going?” I ask.

“I’m taking you home.”

“Your home?” I ask hopefully.

He shakes his head, and gives the driver my address.

Disappointment courses through me. This isn’t working out at all how I’d hoped. Luke stays quiet the entire way and my fear and anxiety double with every mile. He’s sitting right next to me, but with every silent moment, I feel him slip further and further away.

God, don’t let me have fucked this up. Please don’t let me have fucked this up.

When the cab pulls up in front of my father’s brownstone, I reach into my handbag for my wallet, but Luke is already paying the driver. He hops quickly out of the cab and comes around to my side, opening the door and helping me out. My hand in his is the most physical contact we’ve had in weeks and it immediately sends a jolt of longing through me that’s so strong it almost knocks me to my knees.

As if he can feel it too, Luke squeezes my hand and then doesn’t let go. As the cab speeds off, he pulls me up the six steps to my front door.

It pains me deeply but I let go of his hand long enough to fish in my handbag for my keys. I unlock the door and then turn to face the gorgeous man standing behind me.

“Are you … would you like to come in?” I hold my breath, waiting for his answer.

Luke’s eyes seem to burn right into me.

“Fuck, yes,” he breathes.

A shiver runs the length of my body, from my hair all the way down to the tips of my toes. He’s not touching me but I can still feel the heat radiating off his body.

“Okay,” I say. I try to calm my quavering breath. My hands shake as I push open the front door and we step inside.