Page 101 of My Lucky Star
Cem looked amused. “I didn’t order squid.”
“I mean, I love squid. They are beautiful, super intelligent animals and I don’t want to eat them.”
“You’re not a vegetarian... are you?” He flicked a nervous glance at the restaurant.
I shook my head. “I’d make a terrible one, with all the chicken I eat.”
“So, chickens are not intelligent?”
I shrugged, enjoying the sparkle in his eyes. “Not so much.”
“What about fish?”
“Absolute morons.”
We both laughed, although I tried to do it without snorting. I was quite sure Burcu would never stoop so low.
Cem held my eyes. “I don’t want to do this. I want to be with you, not Burcu. Let’s stop this. Let’s tell everyone.” He implored me with his eyes, then looked around as if envisioning the scene that would unfold.
I shook my head, placing my hand firmly over his. “No, Cem. No.”
I couldn’t betray the promise I’d made to Emir. I couldn’t be complicit in Cem losing that role, or the architect of another scandal.
I pinned him with a serious look. “Smile and wave, remember? Like those penguins in that movie.”
The creatures that mated for life. How did they manage that?
I scanned the terrace. “By the way, if anyone gets too close, you need to switch to Turkish. I’ll just... nod.”
Cem sighed, light behind his eyes dimming. “Fine.”
Chapter 36
Cem
THE WAITER RETURNEDwith a bottle of raki. I caught the flash of suspicion behind Aria’s perfectly composed veneer. As he filled our glasses with the cloudy liquid, he leaned in and whispered. “It’s really good to see you together. I hope you don’t mind me saying,Cem bey, my mother will be delighted. She’s been praying for this ever sinceAskta Sansliwas cancelled.Cem beywith Burcu... She always says you were made for each other. I hope you don’t mind.”
