Page 25 of Crossing Lines

“That’s rich coming from you,” Zeki says. “You believe everyone’s trying to get something from you.”

“Oh? Is that so?” Nina asks with a smirk.

“No,” I say and glare at Zeki, giving him the universalshut up or dielook between siblings. It doesn’t matter if he’s right, he doesn’t need to tell Nina that.

“You know,” Zeki says, “I actually had a T-shirt idea of my own that?—”

“—you want me to make for you?” Nina finishes.

“See?” Zeki says. “You’re already finishing my sentences. I think I’m in love with you.”

Nina snorts. “You wouldn’t be the first.”

“But I’d be the last, right?” Zeki asks.

Nina chuckles and I clench the fork in my hand, hating that I want to know if Nina’s interested in my brother. I wouldn’t blame her. He’s got the trifecta going on for him: a fun personality, close to her age, and rich.

“Right?” Zeki asks again, eyes hooded and sporting a smile that promises a fun time.

Nina glances at me before grinning. “It’s too early to tell.”

The fact that I have a desire to stay just to keep Nina’s attention on me and not my brother means I need to leave. ASAP. I’ve been envious of Zeki and the carefree life he lives without any responsibility for a long time. But in this moment, it’s the first time I’ve ever been jealous of him. Jealous that he’s hitting it off with Nina. Jealous that they could be together if they wanted, and that they probably have more in common than Nina and I ever will. Clenching my jaw to keep silent, I stand and place my plate in the dishwasher.

“I have some work to get done,” I say and turn to Zeki. “Do you need me to call you a car?”

“Nope,” Zeki says. “I’ll figure it out.”

I nod and slowly walk to the bedroom, their laughter and hushed voices chasing me away. I’ve got to get over this interest I have in Nina. But no matter how many times I repeat that, it doesn’t make it easier to do.

Zeki has an indescribable quality to him that women apparently find irresistible. Unfortunately, Nina’s not immune and I just hope I don’t find Zeki in her bed in the morning.

Chapter 7

Nina

“Ohh, we got him good.” Zeki high-fives me.

I stare at the hallway Evren just disappeared down. Something that feels an awful lot like guilt swims in my gut. Is it because I hinted that I was interested in his brother, even if I’m not? And more importantly, why do I even care how he feels?

“I doubt it,” I say. “Evren wouldn’t care if we hooked up.”

“You sure about that?” Zeki asks. He gives me a long look before saying in a serious tone, “It doesn’t matter though. I’d never do something like that to my brother. Make him squirm, sure, but you and I aren’t a possibility.”

“Obviously,” I say, impressed with his loyalty. Zeki leads with his playboy, party-boy image, but that appears to be just a front. Thank God, because I don’t think I’d be able to spend any more dinners with him if all he did washit on me or talk about partying. “I’m not interested in you, but we could be friends.”

“That’d be nice. I don’t know anyone here, and I plan to spend some time in Skyrise.”

“Oh? Doing what?”

“Helping my brother out.”

“With?” I ask, hating how Zeki never really answers a question with something substantial.

“An issue he’s having.”

“Fine, keep up your nonanswer answers.”

Zeki grins and packs away the food, not giving me any hints or real information.

---