Chapter 25Emir

Chapter 25 Emir

I was not a crafty person. Fixing fences, wiring electronics, or even repairing antique radios, sure. But ask me to weave fragile strips of paper, and things got ugly. Thankfully, my brother was even worse, and more vocal about it, so we were soon excused from the world of streamers.

“You can help me install the new deadbolt,” I told Cem, taking the bag of supplies he’d picked up from the hardware store.

Janie had made up her mind, and I had to respect that. If I told my brother about us, I might ruin any chance I had with her, and nothing was worth that risk.

“You saying someone picked the lock?” Cem examined the door, eyebrows drawn.

“That’s the only explanation I have. Plus, you can see the faint scratches on the metal.” I guided him to look at the other side.

I freed the new deadbolt from its packaging and got the power drill ready. It wasn’t very powerful but when fully charged, it had just enough kick for ten minutes. Maybe something to upgrade within the next year or so, I thought before catching myself. I couldn’t think that far ahead.

Cem peered in, confusion clouding his eyes. “Why go through the trouble? A house in the middle of nowhere, no witnesses… It’d be so much faster to just break one of the million windows.”

“I know. I agree. And I can’t explain it.”

And it bothered me.

Somehow, if it had been a simple smash and grab with the telltale mess and missing valuables, I could have breathed easier. Something about this felt personal and sinister. And the more I thought about flying back to Turkey and leaving Janie here, by herself, the worse I felt.

“I’m glad you’re looking out for her.” Cem held the door as I marked the placement for the new lock above the old one. “I didn’t even know you could do this yourself.”

“Why not? Seems to be the way in this country. DIY.”

I kept seeing that advertised everywhere, like it was a great privilege to do everything yourself.

I’d never installed a lock before, but I didn’t want Janie to spend money on a locksmith when she was already struggling. A couple of YouTube videos had told me the basics. The lock packet even came with a paper template to show you where to drill. If only everything else in life had been that straightforward. Follow the instruction to a guaranteed outcome.

The only thing I didn’t have were safety goggles, but once we got to drilling the larger hole for the cylinder, Cem lent me his designer shades.

“You’re adapting to the ways of the country,” Cem mused. “You look more at home here than I do, and I’ve been shooting a film here for two months, and I’m marrying a local.”

“You mean I look at home doing maintenance?”

Cem folded his arms. “No, I mean… you look different. Something’s different…”

He leaned in to establish eye contact, as if I was hiding something. Which I was, obviously, but I fixed him with my best scowl.

“Or maybe not.” He shrugged.

My face hurt from frowning. Was that what I’d been doing before? The headaches were starting to make more sense.

“I didn’t say it was bad, different.” Cem’s voice was thoughtful as he handed me the power drill. “You seem more relaxed. Happier.”

“Just keeping up appearances. It’s the Kiwi way.”

“Well, if you’re doing it for me and Aria, we appreciate it. I was worried about you getting along with Janie. She seems so—”

“What?” I ground out between lips holding two screws.

“So… bubbly. Friendly. I thought that might not mix too well with yours truly. I was worried you’d end up offending her.”

“You think I’m that obnoxious?” I asked, knowing full well that I was. I had been, at least.

“No,” Cem said, to my surprise. “You have a good heart, deep down. Way, way down. And she’s probably figured that out, judging by the way she looks at you.”

My head whipped around embarrassingly fast. “What do you mean?” I turned back to the lock, deliberately slowing my movements. “I mean… how do you think she looks at me?”

Way to sound less needy, man.

Cem chuckled. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you like her.”

Just like him to not answer the question. He’d make me beg and reveal all my cards.

I lifted a shoulder. “She smiles too much, but she’s not as fake as I first thought.”

An image of Janie in bed, her eyelids fluttering, mouth ajar but still somehow smiling flashed behind my eyes. There was nothing fake about her. About us. I may have offended her, just like Cem had predicted, but I’d also surrendered to whatever was growing between us. I didn’t feel the same. I wasn’t the same, and having to hide it was making me increasingly uncomfortable.

“Done,” I said, tightening the screws.

“Really?”

Janie’s bright voice shot straight to my heart. Light streaming from kitchen doorway gave her a halo as she stepped into the entry hall, smiling so brightly I had to fight the urge to smile back. With Cem’s suspicious eyes on me, I’d never hear the end of it.

“You do the honors.” I handed her the new key and closed the front door.

“Oh, wow.” She joined me at the door.

I should have moved back, to make sure I didn’t raise any suspicion, but I couldn’t. If there was a chance to inhale her scent, I was ready to risk everything.

Janie stepped outside, locking and unlocking the door, letting out a rapturous gasp as she stepped inside and turned the latch, locking the door again. I’d never seen anyone quite so enamored by a door before.

“That click,” she explained, turning the latch again, “is so satisfying. Thank you.”

“Are all Kiwi women turned on by locks? Asking for a friend.” Cem sneered behind me.

Janie whipped her head, casting him a brilliant smile. “Totally. I recommend a new deadbolt and a panic room for your wedding night.”

She turned to me and her exaggerated smile morphed into a grateful one, eyes glossy. “Thank you, Emir. You have no idea what this means. I feel like I’ve been tensing muscles I didn’t even know I had, and they just relaxed.”

“That’s good.” I wanted so badly to hold her that my entire arm twitched.

What was my brother still doing here? A quick glance in his direction answered my question. He was assessing us, his eyes flicking between us, a sly smile tugging at his lips.

I cleared my throat and started packing up the tools. Once done, I fetched the vacuum cleaner from the hallway closet, ignoring another look from my brother. Yes, I knew where she kept cleaning supplies. So, what?

Janie tried to take the vacuum. “That’s my job, Emir.”

“I made the mess, I’ll clean it.”

She stepped back and took Cem with her as I cleaned up the sawdust. Maybe she’d sensed it, too—The longer we spent together, the more we risked revealing. If she didn’t want to tell them about us, she had to stay away from me.