I nod, knowing he can’t see me. “Thanks for trying Morgan. I love you. Say hi to Channing for me.”
Morgan is like a brother to me. He’s also my realtor and manager. Or he would be, if I had a portfolio he could manage. My mother tells me to hold onto my dreams, to not let hurdles stop me from pushing on, but it’s hard when every single door I knock on, opens slightly, and one look at me from the other end, has them shutting it.
My father was an artist, a street artist. My parents met when she was backpacking through Istanbul. He’d draw portraits and landscapes and my mom tells me people would buy them right off him. I, on the other hand, would be lucky if I sold one piece. I was hoping that being able to showcase my work in a gallery with other local artists would be a winning formula. I guess I was wrong.
I notice the huge dress on my bed for the first time. She went for the lilac, even though I chose the silver one. I lift the note on the plastic cover.
Don’t hide those eyes.
xo,
A
She wants me to wear the dress that’s a similar shade to my eyes. I don’t want to wear either at this point. I actually want to hide away for the rest of my life after the news Morgan gave me, but I can’t. I have to be there for my best friend. Right now, Amy is busy with caterers and party planners making sure everything is perfect for tomorrow night. But even her puppy dog eyes couldn’t convince me to sit through that.
So, I decide to explore the local area on my own. I put on a simple black dress and pair it with heels instead of my usual flats. I wish Amy could join me, but with the party tomorrow night, I understand that she can’t.
I’m on my second glass of wine at a restaurant called, Seaside. The beach bistro is not far from Amelia’s home, and from what I understand, it belongs to a cousin of hers. It’s stunning. Lights in blue bottles hang overhead, and the whitewash furniture and the views are breathtaking. This is precisely the kind of place I imagined my parent's meeting. I smile at the thought of it. The setting is inviting and romantic. My thoughts turn to the stranger on the beach for some reason.
I look toward the door and nearly choke because walking into the establishment in beige dress pants and a button-down white shirt rolled at the sleeves showing chiseled, caramel arms, is the guy from the beach. He exudes confidence as he strolls toward me, which has me reaching for my glass of wine, taking a larger than usual swig from it.
A smile spreads across his face as he takes a seat opposite me.
“I don’t recall inviting you to join me,” I tell him, not shifting my gaze from his. Eyes as dark as storm clouds stare into my soul. They’re so dark it’s hard to tell whether they’re black or chocolate brown. It’s said that the eyes are a window to the soul, but I doubt his are.
“I was outside, saw an attractive woman sitting on her own, and I figured I’d fix that.” I feel my cheeks flush at the thought of him being out there watching me. I’m confused about whether I should be creeped out or flattered.
“I see.” I take another sip of my wine as he waves a waiter over.
“You look sensational by the way...” he waits for me to introduce myself.
“You go first, what did you say your name was again?”
“I didn’t.” he laughs.
“So, we’re going to play it like that, are we?” I take another sip of wine just as a waiter appears.
“I’ll have whatever she is but bring us the bottle.” he tells the waiter, who nods and leaves us.
“I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.” he leans in, his arms resting on the table. He flashes me a smirk.
“Or we could have a perfectly good dinner as a pair of strangers.” I tell him.
He sits back in his chair, his eyes roaming over me. “If that’s what you’d like.”
My God, this man is good looking. Brutally so. Like he was molded by Gods and placed here on earth as a temptation. It’s probably the wine talking, but fuck me.
“I would gladly oblige.” He cocks a brow.
“What?”
“Fuck you.” he replies, “Like you just asked me to. A dimple appears through that stubble as he offers me what must be the most suggestive smile yet.
“I said that out loud?”
He nods, then grins again. There is no doubt that I find this guy attractive, but there is something else about him, like an invisible thread that keeps pulling me toward him. Amy would attest that I am the most level-headed woman she knows, but those eyes and that smile.
“So, at least tell me about yourself, Güzel?”
