Page 80 of Only You
‘I got a good deal from a guy I know,’ he explained as they headed into the city. Selene ran her fingers over the dash. ‘I’m guessing it’s not one of Jack’s guys then.’ ‘I know more people than Jack. Have to.’
Selene smirked knowingly before leaning back in her seat. ‘So where to? Now that we’re not borrowing a car, we could go anywhere.’
‘Says the one not fighting every week,’ Demir pointed out.
Selene laughed but held up her hands in concession. Lounging in her seat, she tapped on the window idly.
‘Where do you wanna go?’ he asked after a while.
She chewed her bottom lip for a moment before her eyes lit up. ‘Do you have a radio?’ ‘There’s a radio in here.’ He pointed to the dash.
‘No, I mean, one where I can listen while stretching my arms or dancing,’ she insisted. ‘Unless you want me to dance on top of your car.’
Demir smirked at the suggestion. ‘As much as I’d enjoy that, I know a spot,’ he said, making a left turn.
‘You’ll never know how many dreams I’ve dreamed about you…’ ‘It’s Been a Long, Long Time’ crooned through the radio in Demir’s living room. He had moved it from the kitchen counter to a spot near the window so he and Selene could listen as they sat on the fire escape. He peeled an orange while Selene smoked.
She thought it was ironic that people found the activity relaxing when it did nothing but agitate her. ‘I hate smoking. It tastes disgusting.’
‘And yet here you are,’ he drawled, eating an orange slice.
‘If I didn’t, I’d lose my mind.’ Selene stared at the cigarette in disdain before taking another drag. She sighed, blowing out smoke. ‘Between school and Jack…’ She shook her head, bringing the cigarette back to her lips.
Demir’s hand shot out, taking it from her. Instead of being offended, she only looked at him curiously as he put it out. He handed her an orange slice. She stared at him, lips pursed before taking it from him and popping it in her mouth.
‘For someone who supposedly has a soulmate, you sure lie to Jack a lot.’
‘That’s how you keep a soulmate,’ she said around the orange. She swallowed, looking through the grates. It was all so tiring when she thought about it. ‘Lying’s just easier sometimes.’
‘Than telling the truth?’
‘Than not always being the girl he wants,’ she clarified. ‘I know Jack accepts who I am, but sometimes it’s easier to shield him from things he’ll never understand than to argue with him about why the world is the way it is. We argue enough.’ She ran her fingers through her hair. ‘It’ll be better later. We just have to make it through now.’
‘So, the flirting at the club…’
‘Not my favourite activity, but a good way to start conversations with the right people. At least, most of the time.’
Demir stared at the fruit in his hands. She laughed softly before tapping his knee, bringing his attention back to her.
‘You don’t get it.’
‘No,’ Demir admitted.
She shrugged. ‘I guess someone like you doesn’t have to.’ ‘Like me?’
‘Someone who doesn’t need anyone,’ she explained. Demir’s face stayed blank, so she sat up, turning her full attention to him. ‘You don’t bring any friends to fights. I only ever hear about you hanging out with Jack. Well, Jack and Nora. Has Nora even been over here?’
‘We meet at her apartment.’
Selene smirked and shook her head. ‘You let no one in your world.’
‘I prefer it that way,’ he said. ‘You’re here. Doesn’t that count for something?’
Selene faltered as she sat back, turning away from him. ‘I mean, I don’t know.’ She shrugged awkwardly.
It shouldn’t have mattered, really. They had been alone together for months in many different places. Yet, this was the first time it feltpersonal. Selene hadn’t asked to come to his apartment, and he could have suggested using the radio in the gym or taken her to a diner.
Instead, here they were in a space that must be special to him, at least special enough to keep to himself. Suddenly, it didn’t feel like two people thrown together for better or worse.
