Page 101 of Crossing Lines

“Is everything all right?” Evren asks.

I swallow hard and hold my phone out for him to take. I’ve been trying so hard to protect everyone from Mom, and this one photo has ruined it all. No wonder she was calling me. She must’ve seen it. And if that’s the case…

I gag, but swallow down the rising vomit. “There’s an article about us, saying we’re dating.” I can’t keep thetremble from my voice, or stop my hands from shaking as he reads from my screen. “Oh God, what am I going to do?”

I pull my knees tightly to my chest and rock back and forth. Mom’s never going to stop, she’s going to make me regret lying to her, she’s going to?—

“Hey.” Evren crouches in front of me. “It’s okay. We’ll get through this together.”

“No, you don’t understand. This isn’t something we can come back from. She knows I’ve been lying to her. I never told her about you.” My voice cracks, raw and frightened. “And now? She won’t stop, Evren. Not until she gets everything from you.” I’d know, she’s done it to me my entire life.

“There are ways to stop her,” he says. “Have you thought about a restraining order?”

“A piece of paper isn’t going to do anything. She’s too good at what she does. She’ll find a way out of it.” One of the people in town tried that once, tired of her begging them for money. But she spun her lies until she was granted a restraining order againstthem.

“Then maybe it’s time you cut her off. Make some clear boundaries with her, like how I’ve done with my friends and family when it comes to wanting my money.”

“You think it’s that simple? She’ll blow up my phone, show up at my door—hell, she’ll find any way to worm her way back in. And the guilt…” My voice falters. “She knows how to twist the knife, how to make me feel like I owe her, like I’m the worst person in the world if I don’t give her what she wants. I’ve tried setting boundaries before, but she pushes until there’s nothing left.” I glance away, my voice quieter now. “You don’t just cut off someone like her. She won’t let me.”

“There has to be a way. You’re not alone.”

“Right.” I refuse to look at him, because I’m stuck with her forever. There’s no way out for me, but there is one for him.

Mom’s in the front yard, sitting in the grass of Stella’s house, when the car pulls into the driveway. I haven’t seen her for months, and yet she looks the same. I should be shocked to see her, but I’m not. There’s no way she’d see that photo and not come. Not when I have access to a billionaire. The jacket and what it’s worth is nothing compared to Evren.

She jumps to her feet when she sees us and Evren asks, “Is that your mom?”

I swallow hard and nod.

“Nate,” he says. “Stay close.”

Nate nods and gets out of the car first while Evren opens my door and helps me out. I remove my hand from his the second I’m on my feet. Mom doesn’t need more fuel to her fire.

“Niiiiiina, baby,” Mom says. “Is this your new home? It’s gorgeous.”

“Come on, let’s go inside,” I say, needing to get us all off the street. I unlock the door and guide us to the couch.

Mom whistles as she takes in the house. “Nowthisis what I call luxury. But the decoration is all so tacky.”

I try to hide my wince. Of course Mom would recognize my style and take a jab at me.

“How do you afford rent on this place?” she asks. “Or is this courtesy of your boyfriend?” Her gaze swings to Evren and she says, “We haven’t been introduced yet. I’m Bonnie.”

“Evren,” he says, standing near the wall next to Nate.

“How did you get here?” I ask, ignoring her question.

“What can I say,” she says. “I’m resourceful.”

“You are,” I say, stiffly sitting next to her. “I’m just surprised you came. You’re a long way from home.”

“How could I not come and meet my only daughter’s new boyfriend?”

“We’re not dating,” I say firmly. I’ve got no other strategy than to deny, deny, deny.

“The tabloids seem to think otherwise,” Mom says.

“And who trusts the tabloids?” I scoff.

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