Page 94 of Only You
‘It was the first time someone was on my side for that kind of thing. Maybe you won’t get it as a man because, no matter what, you can ownsomething. Jack will never see a problem with it, because he’s always taken care of me, but I always feel like I have to prove I own everything I’ve got, which is why I don’t want Jack’s handouts. He’s already given me too much. I’m not even his wife.’
Demir’s eyes flickered to her hand, her fingers bare, but they both knew jewellery only amounted to so much.
‘You might as well be,’ he pointed out. ‘Everyone knows you’re his girl, no matter what you do or who you talk to. You might as well have a ring on your finger.’
‘I’mnothis wife,’ she snapped, her skin hot from the implication. ‘Don’t matter what anyone has to say about it, that’s the truth. Got that?’
Demir blinked several times, probably shocked by the intensity of her words. She fidgeted under his lingering gaze but didn’t take back what she had said.
Selene could see herself spending the rest of her life with him, but being a wife was different. It came with responsibilities she didn’t want. It also meant being tied to someone for better or worse, and she had seen how quickly people could change. Hell, she changed all the time. Just the thought of Jack becoming a stranger to her in the worst kind of way made the hairs on her neck stand on their ends.
‘Loud and clear,’ he answered. ‘Are you ready to go?’
Selene opened her mouth before closing it, uncertain. She stood instead and walked towards the passenger side.
Demir didn’t comment on the change as he went around. ‘You heard about Mackie booking Parker this weekend?’ he asked once they were in the car.
Selene paused, looking at him in surprise. ‘I… no. He got Charlie Parker?’
‘Nora said they go way back,’ he said. ‘Apparently, the place is going to be packed.’
‘I–I mean of course it is!’ Voice budding with excitement, she squealed. ‘It’s Charlie Parker! I love his record with Dizzy. I can’t believe Mack made that happen! I have to find a new dress!’
‘Of course, that’s the first thing you think off,’ he said dryly.
‘Of course it is,’ she repeated and stuck her tongue out at him. ‘I’m seeing someone important.’
‘And why would he want to see a brat like you?’
‘Don’t call me a brat.’ Scowling, Selene smacked his arm. ‘I’m way smarter than you’ll ever be.’
‘Oh, I know,’ he said, the corner of his lips lifting into a smile. ‘But you’re still a brat.’
‘Nobody asked you,’ she grumbled, anticipation bubbling up inside her as they drove home.
She wiggled in her seat, humming one of her favourite Charlie Parker songs. At some point, Demir put a hand on her leg to stop her from moving, but she just grabbed it, singing into it like it was a mic. The song was off key, and, for a moment, he stiffened awkwardly while driving with one hand, but eventually her bad singing made them both laugh the rest of the way home. It was the most fun Selene had had in a long time, and she was glad it was with him.
The sudden thought made her laughter stop short as they parked behind Jack’s apartment building.
When did that happen?
The change in energy was immediate, and Demir’s smile disappeared. He looked at her curiously, but she shook her head, getting out and waiting for him to exit the car so they could take the back way in.
‘And here we are,’ he announced once they had reached Jack’s door.
Selene dug into her purse for her keys. ‘Thanks for walking me,’ she said politely. She stopped before unlocking it, facing him.
‘Maybe next time…’ She licked her lips nervously before clearing her throat. ‘We shouldn’t talk about Jack or Nora.’
‘Seems like we’ll run out of things to talk about.’ ‘There’s other things.’
He raised an eyebrow before stepping closer. She tensed but didn’t move away, despite having the room.
‘Like what?’ His voice was quiet, and she stared at him, a sudden sense of longing punching her in the gut.
Tongue-tied, she tried to force a smile. ‘Jazz,’ she whispered and turned to unlock the door, slipping inside.
She leaned against the door, heart racing a mile a minute. She felt her cheeks heat up and patted them in an attempt to calm herself. This needed to stop. It was bad enough she had wanted to dance with him at the party weeks ago, but now this?
