Page 82 of Crossing Lines

“Did you talk to Evren?” Elodie asks. “Tell him that you obviously didn’t set him up?”

“No, I left before he came home and now we’re here, so…”

“Why would you do that?” Stella asks. “He’s probably thinking the worst-case scenario, and you leaving doesn’t help.”

Oh shit, she’s right. I look more guilty by leaving the fucking country instead of talking to him. “What have I done?” I whisper. “I was shocked after seeing my father and wasn’t thinking clearly.”

“Call him,” Aria says. “Talk it out.”

I take out my phone, and with a shaky finger, I press his contact name. It rings out and then I look at them in confusion. “His phone is always with him…”

“Okay, so he’s ignoring you,” Elodie says. “Or maybe he’s in the shower? Or maybe he’s swimming?”

“Yeah…maybe,” I say. But the one thing I know about him is his schedule, and right now he should be drinking his coffee while eating breakfast.

“Okay, distraction time,” Aria says. “How do we feel about going on a boat tour right now?”

“With alcohol, right?” I ask.

Aria laughs and opens her huge purse, pulling out two bottles of tequila. “Of course.”

A quick car ride, and we’re guided onto the boat by Kai, Stella’s bodyguard, and four others. A crew welcomes us aboard the long vessel where half is covered, and the other half is open.

We settle into the cushions and take in all the landmarks that I’ve always dreamt about seeing. Museum Island, the train station, the Reichstag, monuments and palaces and gorgeous bridges that are the definition of picturesque. For a moment, I forget all about my problems while absorbing the beauty around me.

“There are estimations,” Aria says quietly, “that one-third to one-half of Berlin was destroyed and needing to be rebuilt after the war. I always remind myself of that when I’m here, because you’d never know just by looking at it.”

Elodie and Stella give Aria soft looks and she giggles. “Sorry, I get sentimental when I’m here. It’s one of my favorite cities.”

“It is a special place,” Stella agrees. “All right, ladies, I need an update from everyone. Texts aren’t cutting it.”

“You go first,” Elodie says.

“I’m great,” Stella says. “Just busy with the shows, but it’s so amazing to be back on stage.”

“Is your heart okay?” I ask.

“Yup, I’m all healed. Just still trying to build up my stamina. It’s not on the same level as it was, but I’m managing. What about you, Elodie? What’s new with you?”

“I’ve signed up for a cake-decorating class,” Elodiesays, “to learn some new techniques for the bakery. But honestly? Life is a little hard right now. I haven’t been able to find a balance between the bakery and Hunter. I hope we fall into a better routine soon since I feel like I’m constantly falling short on all fronts, spreading myself too thin.”

Stella hugs her. “It’s an adjustment period, for sure.”

“Yeah,” Elodie says, leaning into her. “What about you, Aria?”

“Nothing much is going on with me,” she says quickly, too quickly. “Lately, my life is all about the charity events my parents are making me attend. What about you, Nina?” Aria hurries to ask before anyone can question her about what she said. “What’s new?”

“Besides meeting my deadbeat dad? Umm… Evren and I are together. Or at least we were.” I swallow hard at the reminder of my stupidity. “But things are good, better than good. I’m actually happy. I never expected to connect with him so much, but he’s been amazing and even has a cute nickname for me in Turkish?—”

“Wait, what’s the nickname he calls you?” Stella asks.

“Pariltim.”

“What does that mean?” Elodie asks.

“No clue.” I shrug. “I never looked it up.”

Aria whips out her phone and does a search. “OMG, it meansmy sparkle. How cute is that?”

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