Page 77 of My Lucky Star
“Only if I get to do the same.”
“Deal. I wouldn’t even notice you there.” I drew a deep, luxurious breath and released it, sinking deeper into the soft fabric.
“I wish I could say the same.” He rolled over to his side with his elbow propped, head leaning on hand. Poised to stare at me. I felt his other hand on my forearm, sending a flurry of confused signals that fought with the ones entailing sleep.
I closed my eyes, my exhaustion mixing with giddiness. I already knew I’d give in, eventually. I’d let him peel away my defenses, one by one, along with my clothing, no matter how unceremoniously he’d dump me after I’d carried out my wordless human prop duties in this strange land.
I surrender, I thought to myself. And that was the last thing I remembered.
Chapter 28
Cem
IWOKE UP, RATHER UNPLEASANTLY, to Emir’s stern face hovering over me.
“Allah, Allah!Don’t sneak up like that!” I sandwiched my head between the pillows to block him out.
“We need to get you out of here.”
Aria stirred next to me. After a moment, her head popped up from behind a throw pillow. She’d been hiding behind them. Why did I have so many throw pillows? Damn interior designers.
“What are you talking about?” she asked.
Emir switched to English. “We have to move you somewhere more private before Mom gets too involved. I caught her rewatchingAskta Sansli. She wants to contact Burcu’s family and invite them over. I told her Burcu has a doctor’s appointment and Cem has to visit Ankara.”
“So, where’re we going?” Aria blinked and rubbed her eyes.
“I made a reservation in Bursa tonight.”
“Where’s Bursa?” Aria asked, scrambling out of bed, smoothing her slacks and T-shirt, which were in no danger of getting wrinkled. In fact, the only piece of clothing I’d seen on her that probably required ironing was the funny green jumpsuit that would forever squat in my brain.
Emir’s voice scratched my nerves. “Bursa is far enough that it’s quiet, but not too far, since you’re coming back for the weekend. We need to do a public outing on Saturday. I’ve got it all planned.”
I sat up, rubbing my eyes, then my entire face, trying to regain some level of functionality. Unlike Aria’s, my designer shirt had deep creases from sleeping. Wearing shiny clothes felt more natural in Istanbul but missed the comfort of the outfit Aria had bought me. I missed the freedom of New Zealand.
Emir pointed at our suitcases, still upright and unopened by the door. “You need to pack light. And get changed.”
