Page 10 of My Turkish Fling
Emir joined me at the door. “Thank you, that’s very kind. I will let my parents know.”
But Aria was already on it. “Hi, Mom! We’re still here at Janie’s.” She lifted her phone, capturing all of us with her camera. I caught her brightly smiling mother on the screen. “Janie showed us around her house, and she has this amazing guest suite. This would be perfect for Cem’s parents!” She pointed her phone at the guest room.
“We checked them out of the hotel and got back home. They’re getting settled.” I detected a hint of defensiveness in her mother’s voice. “I think they want to stay close to Cem and you, not out in the middle of nowhere. Serkan is keen on the earthquake museum. We’ve been talking about what’s happened in Turkey and Syria. It’s so sad.”
“Okay,” Aria conceded. “Let’s talk about it later. We’ll drive back soon.”
She ended the call. “Sounds like they’re getting along.”
Cem raised an eyebrow. “Bonding over earthquakes.”
I looked at Emir, my stomach wobbling. “You could still stay here if you wanted. So, it’s not too crowded in their house.” Assoon as I said it, I cringed. What if he accepted? “But I understand it’s not that convenient if you don’t have a car. We’re a bit out of the way here.”
“That’s a great idea!” Cem grinned. “Far away from other humans is Emir’s happy place.”
“I don’t mind the location,” Emir confirmed, looking out the hallway window. The floor-to-ceiling glass framed a picture of my empty front yard. The lack of curtains had bothered me at first, but I’d gradually gotten used. With no one around, the concept of privacy took on a new meaning.
“If you can tolerate his face, Emir’s good at fixing things,” Cem pressed on. “He could help you prepare for the party, do some maintenance. So, you get something out of this deal.”
I swallowed, afraid to look Emir in the eye. I could feel his presence from several feet away, and it told me one thing. My body wanted something out of this deal. Something it couldn’t have. I couldn’t afford wild affairs with Turkish strangers. I had to start dating. I had to find someone local, respectable, solid… I needed a serious, long-term relationship—more serious than what Shaun had with that actress. That would help me feel grounded, I decided. Like I belonged here.
Emir cleared his throat. “I would love to be useful if I can. I’m quite handy with tools.”
I gave Emir a curt nod, trying to not imagine him in a tool belt. After a fifteen-year marriage to a man who paid for someone else to shave him, I had a certain weakness for the DIY types.
“I do have some fencing that needs repairs. And other bits andpieces. But I don’t feel right about—”
“Okay, it’s decided,” Emir cut me off, addressing Aria. “I’ll come with you to town and gather my things. It sounds like everything is now in your parents’ house. Then I’ll order a taxi back here.”
“No! I’ll drive you.” My heart pounded in my chest, but I tried to smile. “If you’re going to work on my property, that’s the least I can do.”
I had a feeling Emir didn’t want me to mention our massaging deal.
“How about go straight away? It’s already seven-thirty.” Emir glanced at his watch. “I’m still quite jet-lagged. You know we only arrived yesterday.”
I felt a flash of guilt. “Of course! Sorry. I’ll hop in my car and follow you.”
I grabbed my car keys on the way out and followed them outside, getting my Lexus out of the garage. It was an ostentatious car, chosen by Shaun. Switching to something small and practical was on my to-do list, but I didn’t feel particularly confident about car shopping. It was one of those annoying tasks I’d had a man for. And now I didn’t. I wondered if Emir knew anything about cars.
Based on the look on his face, he at least appreciated the price tag of the golden vehicle.
Emir opened the rear door of Aria’s little hybrid, but Cem grabbed his shoulder. “Why don’t you ride with Janie, so she doesn’t have to drive by herself?”
“And if she gets lost, you can direct her to my parents’ house,” Aria added, excitement lighting up her face. “She’s never beenthere.”
Emir looked confused. “I’ve been there once.”
I smiled. The love birds clearly wanted privacy. Emir shrugged and walked over to my car. We both entered at the same time, somehow bumping elbows. My car had never felt smaller.
“Apologies,” Emir muttered. “It seems they don’t want me as a third wheel.”
“It’s pretty obvious.” I grinned.
As I started the car and followed Aria’s Toyota down the driveway, I felt Emir’s probing eyes on me. “Do you think they’re good together? You smile like you’re happy for them.”
“I am! Ninety-nine percent happy, maybe one percent jealous.”
“You don’t think it’s a little… impractical? To marry someone from the other side of the world? I mean, it’s exactly the kind of thing my brother would do, but he doesn’t consider the long-term implications of anything.”
