Page 56 of My Lucky Star
Emir averted my eyes, his face glowing with what almost looked like embarrassment. “I never anticipated they’d latch onto this. If we disappoint them, this could get really ugly. I don’t think they’d stop at a simple press release. They would try to expose us, expose you...”
Cem cut into my line of sight, blocking Emir. “Think of it as a fun trip, nothing more. I’ll take care of everything. Or Emir will. Either way, you have nothing to worry about. Smile and wave for the cameras and then I’ll lead you away before they get to ask you anything. We’ll keep the appearances short.”
I took a step back, my throat tightening at the sound of his voice. I wanted so badly to agree, but how could I? This would make it so much harder to resist him, and if I couldn’t... I’d return in pieces.
“I’d have to get time off work. I don’t know...”
I moved back until I was almost leaning against the closed door and that’s when it happened. As if in slow motion, the door flew open and the impact sent me across the floor, hitting smack bang in the middle of Cem’s chest. He caught me, like he’d done before, his firm touch flushing my insides with warmth. I staggered, filling my flattened lungs as I turned to peer over my shoulder.
Lindsay stood in the doorway, her dark bob swaying, her eyes wide. “I’m so sorry! Did I hit you? I was looking for... well, a kitchen.” She cut a glance at the fridge.
“Well, you found it.” I tried to smile, extracting myself from Cem’s grip. “Do you need a drink or...?”
“Coffee would be amazing!” She declared, taking a seat at the island.
Was I supposed to serve her?
I cleared my throat. “These are Cem and Emir, from Turkey. They’re the guests who’re about to leave. Cem’s actually an actor.” As soon as the words left my lips, I stiffened, glancing at Emir in horror. What had I done?
He didn’t seem any angrier than before, but it was hard to tell.
Lindsay’s eyes lit up as she studied Cem, her gaze lingering on the deep V of chest muscles peeking from underneath the bathrobe. “Is that right? I feel like I’ve seen you before. Are you working in Turkey? Your film industry is booming!”
Cem shook her hand, throwing in a charming smile. “You may have seen me inAskta Sansli. It was sold overseas as Lucky in Love.”
I could tell from Lindsay’s expression that she had no clue of what he was talking about but kept nodding enthusiastically. “Of course, of course. Are you here for work?”
“No, on holiday.”
“Are you available for work?” Her eyes sharpened, roaming his body. “We’re casting an Arab character. It’s not a major role, but a meaty one... a mysterious stranger.” She smiled, her eyes flashing. “He’s a horse breeder who happens upon a gold mining town during the gold rush. We’re auditioning a few locals tomorrow if you’d like to pop in.”
“Cem has a lead role in a new multi-million-dollar international production,” Emir injected. “We need to leave for Istanbul very soon.”
Cem smiled at Lindsay, completely ignoring his brother. “That sounds great. Any other roles you’re casting? Aria is also an actress. Did you know that?”
“Is she?” Lindsay looked at me with renewed interest, although with far less hunger. “We do have a role you could audition for if you wanted to. We’re required to cast a certain number of locals to qualify for the tax rebate.” She didn’t sound too thrilled about the clause. “Anyone have a pen?”
Cem found one on the kitchen counter and Lindsay wrote down times and dates on the back of two business cards, handing one to Cem, another to me. “Email me and I’ll forward you the script. Now, the coffee?”
I accepted the card and dutifully boiled the jug, preparing a batch of plunger coffee.
“So, you’re leaving soon? Back to Turkey?” Lindsay asked the men as she drew her phone from her pocket, turning her attention to the screen.
Emir cast me a look that felt like a warning. “No. It’s so nice here we might extend our stay. We have this hotel booked for another three weeks.”
Dread travelled through my body like a cold breeze as he continued in an ominous tone. “Unless, of course, Aria comes with us to the next location. Then we could be swayed.” His dark gaze pinned me in its grip.
The electric jug sputtered as it reached its desired temperature. I imagined steam rising from both of us.
Lindsay turned to me, her brow furled. “What’s going on?”
I busied myself with the plunger. “He’s joking. I promised to take them to a lovely, historic Airbnb and I will go with them, of course, so they don’t get lost.”
I snuck a meaningful look at Emir.
“Good,” he said. “Yes, I was only joking.” His words were so deadpan they made me think of an alien learning human communication.
I mustered a strained laugh. “Most people don’t get him, but I think he’s hilarious.” I winked at Lindsay, lowering my voice. “Some things get lost in translation.”
