Page 95 of Crossing Lines

“Hmm,” Mom says, unconvinced. “And how did you two meet?”

“At a charity event,” I say. “She’s friends with some of my players.”

Mom’s gaze bounces between us and she frowns. “I see.”

A strained silence overtakes the kitchen as she finishes up the food and I make coffee. Starting a conversation in Turkish, I ask, “What’s going on? You’re judging Nina too harshly.”

“You think I’ll let just anyone date you?” Mom answers. “She’s a pretty girl, for sure. But what else is there to her?”

“It’s not your job to decide that. It’s mine,” I say. “If you’re not going to be kind, then what are you doing here? I’m happy with her. That should be enough for you.”

“But—”

“No, I won’t accept you treating her like that or to try to ruin what we’ve got going on.”

Mom stares at me in shock, like she doesn’t recognizeme, before a slow smile builds on her lips. “You really love her, don’t you?”

I glance at Nina and say, “Evet.”Yes.

“Then I will try to be nicer.”

When the food is ready, and we’re all sitting down, I ask in English, “How long are you in town for?”

“Just for the day,” Mom says. “I have to get back for Burcu’s birthday tomorrow.”

“Is there anything fun you’d like to do while you’re here?” Nina asks.

“I—I don’t know,” Mom says, caught off guard. “What’s fun to do here?”

“Well, I guess that depends on what you’re into. I’m still figuring it all out, but there are distillery tours, art museums, fun bakeries, food markets, and even a building you can go to the top of and have a gorgeous view of the city.”

“And what do you do for fun, Evren?” Mom asks. “I want to experience something you like.”

“I mostly focus on work…” Sometimes I wonder what she thinks I do all day. But it’s clear she expects something different since disapproval radiates from her after my response. I’m not sure what to tell her. The only thing I do for fun is spend time with Nina, and before she came into my life, I literally worked nonstop.

“It’s true.” Nina places her hand on my arm. My mom’s gaze zeroes in on it. “Work is his main focus,” Nina continues, “and rightly so. But he has been branching out and enjoying some fun bakeries lately.”

“You have?” Mom gives me a skeptical look, like she can tell Nina’s covering for me.

“Oh yeah,” Nina says, “he’s even invested in one recently. Have you tried the viral donuties yet?”

“No? Tell me more.”

And Nina goes on to do just that, saving me from a lecture about working too much. She talks up Elodie’s donuties so much that even I’m craving one by the end of it.

“We must go now,” Mom says, gathering her purse and standing. “I bet there’s a line.”

“Oh, most definitely,” Nina says. “But you’re in luck because I have an in with the owner.”

Mom’s eyes widen. “Really?”

“Really, but let’s head over now and enjoy one…or five.”

Mom laughs. “I like your thinking.”

“I’m here.” Zeki bursts into the kitchen, out of breath as if he just ran ten miles to get here. “What did I miss?”

“Oh nothing much,” Mom says, hugging him. “We’re about to go try the viral donuties.” Mom turns to Nina and says, “So tell me what your favorite flavor is.”

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