Page 50 of Challenging Luke

Luke pulled out his phone and shot a quick text off to her.

LUKE: Can you stop at the office when you're done for the day? Ryker and Dom can follow you over.

Monica didn't make him wait for an answer.

MONICA: Sure. I'm hoping to be done by six. I don't want to stay too late tonight.

Six still meant that Monica worked an eleven-hour day. How Niles Carmichael could say she wasn't dedicated was beyond him.

LUKE: See you later.

MONICA: Yes you will.

He smiled down at his phone. It was easy to read the teasing tone in her words. He hoped that meant she was having a good day. They rarely discussed her work, aside from her relationship with Carmichael and how what was happening affected that. He knew that by the time she got home, she didn't want to think about work anymore. He didn't blame her. There were better ways to spend their time.

"If that ain't the look of a man in love, I don't know what is." Nash teased him but Luke couldn't deny it. He might not be ready to say the words out loud, but Nash wasn't wrong.

He changed the subject instead. "Monica will be in around six. She's worn the same pair of earrings since I met her, so I think those are best to use."

"Are we going to have to convince her?"

"Probably," he answered honestly.

"This should be fun to watch!" Nash banged his fist on the table with a laugh.

If he didn't think he might need his friends’ support to convince Monica, he would’ve kick them all out. Except Caden. He appeared to be the only one taking this seriously.

"Have we heard from Jayce and Austin?" Luke figured talking about work was a better option than punching his best friend.

"They got tied up but promised to be back tomorrow morning. Apparently, the assignment is a bit of a doozy and Jayce isn't sure he wants to take it on yet, but we have time to decide. It's not for a few weeks."

He should probably check in with his friend. It wasn't like Jayce to pass on assignments. Out of the seven of them, Jayce worked the longest hours. Luke knew it was because his friend preferred to run away from his demons and he used work as an excuse. It wasn't the healthiest lifestyle, but it seemed to work for Jayce. Passing on an assignment was a big red flag.

The afternoon passed quickly. He, Nash, and Caden met with two local regional representatives about possible assignments. Both required minimal manpower and could be handled within a couple of days.

Granted that was the same thing they thought when they accepted the Fletcher assignment and look how that turned out for them. They were still unofficially dealing with that headache. Although, it landed him Monica, so who was he to complain?

It was a little before six when Monica strolled into the building. Like a moth to a flame, he met her halfway and wrapped her up in his arms.

"I missed you today."

Monica sighed and snuggled into his hug. He apparently wasn't the only one who needed their connection.

"Is it crazy to miss someone after only a week of knowing them? Two weeks ago, I would stay later at work and go home like nothing was amiss. Now I'm itching to leave at a decent hour just so I can see you."

Monica had no idea how happy she’d just made him. "I don't think it's crazy at all," he whispered into her hair.

She pulled away before he was ready to let go, but considering they were in his office, he reluctantly stepped back.

"You asked me here for a reason."

It wasn't a question, so instead of giving her an answer, he guided her to the table where Caden was already set up. Better to jump right in.

"Caden received the tracker this morning and we’d like to attach it to your earrings."

Monica's hands went to the diamond studs she seemed to never take off. He wondered if they were a gift from someone or something she rewarded herself with.

"Will they be noticeable or damage my earrings in any way?"