Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 4)

33. A night with friends

"Ayhan didn't sleep a wink last night," Osman chuckles as he walks Leyla home from her stop at the butchershop on her way home that afternoon. "It was just JJ, JJ, JJ."

"I can imagine," she smiles, "but it's expected. The man she loves proposed." She links her arm in his. "Like us."

"The real estate agent called this morning by the way. There's a couple of places that opened up. I agreed we'd go and have a look."

"Okay, we can," she says after a moment, looking the other way. 

"One is just around the corner from here. We can stay close to your parents that way."

"That would be good."

"And then, maybe we can look at a few places for the wedding? After Spring comes we might have a harder time."

Leyla's face contorts as they stop in front of her house. "You want to look at venues?"

"We can keep it outside, it doesn't matter," he says quickly, thinking that she meant she didn't want to get married indoors. "But it can't hurt, just as a backup. We have to decide what kind of wedding we want before that anyway or it won't work."

Leyla chews on her lip a little. "Osman, I've been thinking, and I...is a whole wedding really needed?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you're buying a house. And in addition, if we have to plan and execute a wedding and all that comes with it, it might be too much of a financial burden to you."

Osman smiles and takes her hand, kissing it. "As long as you're the one I'm doing it for, I can handle it."

She flushes and looks down, smiling. She felt guilty for him having to pay when she didn't want a huge wedding or perhaps any wedding at all. She kisses his cheek. "Okay, we'll talk later. I'll go inside now."

"See you later."

Oh God...what do I do? Leyla closes her eyes and steps up to the door, stopping to take out her keys and looking at him again to wave before going in.

**

Can was the last one in the office that night, or so he thought, because on his way out, he saw JJ sitting at the coffee bar downing shots of espresso lined up in front of him.

"What did you do, JJ?" He hears JJ mumble to himself when he walks closer. "You got yourself into quite the mess didn't you? Now you can't go home.. but you can't stay here either...you can't go anywhere... What will you do?"

Can squints and then creeps up behind JJ, jabbing him in the sides with two fingers. "JJ!"

"Wha!" JJ jumps in his chair and looks up at Can with wide eyes and paling skin.

"What are you doing talking to yourself all alone?" Can puts a hand on his shoulder. "I thought I was the only one still here."

"You're like the captain of a ship, Mr Can. The last to leave and I'm the first mate..." He trails off when Can blinks. "I'm talking nonsense in my confusion. Sorry."

"It's nothing," Can waves it off. "Is this confusion love related?" He nods at the small empty shot glasses.

"Yes," JJ breathes and gulps, putting a nervous hand on Can's higher shoulder. He wasn't used to the affection he was getting from Can but he was taking it. "Love." He squeezes a pec and then blinks. "Wow...feel that..."

"Yeah, okay, come on, you're coming with me." Can removes JJ's hand and slaps him lightly on the back, pulling him to his feet. "You need something stronger than coffee."