Page 70 of Aydin

“Operations manager.”

“Glad she keeps him on his toes,” Rebeca chimed in on our conversation.

“I’m the lucky one.” I gazed at Aydin.

“Please don’t blow up my brother’s head,” Josiah joked, and Aydin glared.

“Shut up.” Aydin placed his hand on top of mine.

“We’d love to meet your parents, Amelia.”

Aydin and I hadn’t talked if our relationship was serious or not to the point of meeting parents. It just happened gradually, and neither of us forced the other in a situation that we’d be uncomfortable with. To hear Rebecca request to meet my parents was surprising but sweet at the same time…

“Uhm.”

“We’ll arrange a big dinner one day,” Aydin answered for me. He noticed my nervousness.

I leaned over to whisper in his ear, “Thank you.”

“I got your back.”

“What are you two doing after lunch?”

“I have an appointment at the bank.”

“Is everything all right?” Rebecca asked.

“I’m in the early stages of opening my own business.”

“That’s wonderful.”

“Thanks.”

“Brains and beauty. Aydin, please don’t mess this up,” Rebecca stated, and we all laughed at her comment.

“Carly, how long have you and Josiah dated?” I probed, watching Josiah squirm in his seat.

“About four months now,” Carly told me.

“Surprised you’ve been able to deal with the youngest boy. He can be a handful.” Cole bit into his sandwich.

“She gave me a hard time in the beginning,” Josiah stated, and Carly agreed.

“Wesley’s the last one to bring a date around,” Rebecca announced.

“Rather get a root canal,” Wesley replied, and Rebecca smacked him on the back of the head. We laughed and continued to talk of the work they did and my future plans.

Aydin shut the car door and waved at his parents. Turning into traffic, he headed out to the main road toward the bank. The loan manager needed me to come in and fill out some paperwork before he submitted it on my behalf.

“Where is your head at?”

I ran a hand across Aydin’s hair and down his cheek.

“Nothing.” He changed lanes and looked out his rearview mirror.

“Shouldn’t take long at the bank.”

“I know, but that’s the last thing on my mind.”

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