Page 97 of Only You
She looked down at their feet before resting her head on his chest. ‘You’re almost a good guy. Too nice to break my heart but too cruel to let me go.’ She stepped away from him, her expression sombre. ‘Thanks for the dance. I won’t be needing another.’
‘Wait…’ He reached out to her, but she avoided his touch, weaving between the dancers until he lost sight of her.
‘D!’ He felt someone’s hand on his shoulder and looked to see Jack grinning.
‘Mackie’s about to introduce us to Charlie! You gotta—’ His grin fell. ‘What happened?’
She saw how I feel about your girl.
Demir clenched his fist as the thought swiftly came across his mind. Before he could make up a lie, Selene waved at them excitedly, beckoning them over as she stood beside Charlie Parker with a wide grin. Ignoring Jack’s questioning look, Demir went to her side.
‘There you guys are!’ She hugged Demir and then Jack. ‘Just in time.’
‘I’ll say,’ Jack told her as he took the spot on the other side of the jazz musician. ‘Nice to meet you, Mr Parker.’
‘Same to you.’ Charlie nodded his head towards Demir. ‘Nice fight tonight, champ.’
He nodded but stayed silent as the group posed for the picture.
Suddenly, Selene gasped. ‘Wait, we forgot Nora,’ she said. ‘Let me find her real quick.’ Demir grabbed her by the waist, stopping her.
‘Don’t worry about it,’ he said quickly, urging her back to her spot.
She looked at him baffled as the first flash went off. The photographer yelled for her to look forward and she did with an easy smile, though a small pinch of concern furrowed her brow.
Hopefully, the camera wouldn’t pick it up.
It took three more pictures before he remembered to move his hand from her waist.
‘It’s just perfect.’ Selene stared at the newspaper before hugging it close to her chest. ‘Aren’t you afraid of ruining it?’ Demir teased from Jack’s couch.
‘I bought extra copies,’ she said, waving away the worry. Chuckling, he closed his eyes.
Two days had passed since the night at Mackie’s club. For the most part, he had healed up, but Selene could tell he was still sore. As such, she insisted he rested a bit longer. Despite the short time frame, Demir had already become restless. She had done her best to distract him with conversation, sharing stories about her childhood or with card games. The times he didn’t want to talk or play games, she would re-read the Charlie Parker article.
It always made her giddy when she saw the picture. She had stood right next to him! Well, next to Demir, who was next to him, but it was good enough.
‘I still can’t believe it. Actual proof that me and Charlie Parker were in the same room. He liked my dress. Ugh, I wish they got a picture of him kissing my hand,’ she gushed. ‘I’ll never throw this paper out.’
‘Jack might,’ Demir murmured.
Selene’s jaw dropped and she chucked the newspaper at him. ‘That’s not even funny!’
It didn’t stop Demir from chuckling as he gathered up the pages. He stared at the picture before frowning.
‘What’s with the face?’
‘They didn’t put your name.’ He handed it back to her. Her eyes roamed over the page for a moment before spotting the caption.
Charlie Parker (right) with amateur boxer, Demir ‘Doomsday’ Elliot (left), his coach (far right), and beauty (far left) at the Blue Rabbit Club.
‘Oh,’ she said and shrugged. ‘That’s all right. I didn’t expect them to. Besides, I look fantastic.’
‘You don’t mind no one knowing your name?’
‘Nope. Besides, Charlie Parker does.’ She winked.
Demir shook his head but said nothing as he stared at the ceiling. ‘I guess. It’ll be a nice surprise in a few years when the papers have to start calling you Dr Robinson,’ he surmised.
