If You Tell Me To Stay

Chapter 30

Author's note:
Hey GUUUUYYYYSSS!!!! Okay, I'm back to this story. Free time is pretty much non existent right now and work is just getting busier and busier. *whispers quietly so the boss doesnt hear* work is where I do a lot of my writing. Shhh.... 🤫
So updates probably wont be on the regular. But I was childless this week, so I was able to get in a little writing time. Woot woot!
Happy late birthday to our Mr. Yaman!

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After her nerve wracking, but successful conversation with Dr. Alim, Sanem retrieved her scooter from Melihat's and drove back to City Hall to finish up the work day. Mrs. Remide wasn't having much luck either trying to get the team to focus on other topics besides the Yusuf one. Deren on the other hand had great success with her task of organizing the basketball game between the two towns. She even got Osman committed to playing.

Sanem released her team early, seeing as how they weren't getting a whole lot accomplished together. Sanem took the time to herself to call around to other young men around town, trying to find more basketball players for their game. Everyone was very excited to talk to her, maybe ask a question or two about her experience. All seemed excited about the library and the fundraiser idea, but all declined the offer of playing when she got around to asking them. Sanem didn't think it would be this difficult. Feeling cast down by failure after failure, she started a new article about the evidence in the painting, with Umut as the star. It rather surprisingly lifted her spirits. Even with the false credit and white lies.

Sanem drove to Can's at the end of the day and parked her scooter off to the side under the awning so Can would have enough room for his truck once he arrived home. She unlocked the door using her new key and hung her purse on the hook in the entryway. She made herself tea and sat down on the couch to take off her shoes and watch the evening news.

That's when it suddenly dawned on her how normal all that felt. Coming home from work to house that wasn't hers. But for those brief few minutes, it did feel like hers. It felt more comfortable than her old house did. She couldn't help but smile as she thought about what Can would say in response if he could hear her thoughts just then.
As if he knew she had been thinking about him, her phone rang with Can's name on the caller ID.

"Hi there."

"Hey, I'm going to be home late tonight. We have these new potential clients and the boss wants to take us all out to dinner."

"You don't sound thrilled by that."

"I'm pretty sure he's just using my celebrity status to help seal the deal."

"Can, I'm sure that's not it. You are an amazing photographer. He wants to show off your skill."

"I already did that today. They liked my work. But this contract is a big deal. And my boss has no scruples about showing me off like a show pony. Anything to make his company look the best. Anyway, are you alright for dinner on your own? Maybe you should go to Melihat's."

"Are you worried I'll burn down your kitchen or something?"

"The thought crossed my mind."

Sanem laughed, "I'll manage on my own for one night. But just in case, where do you keep the fire extinguisher?"

Can laughed back, "I know you're teasing me, but it's under the sink. Just in case. Are your sure you'll be alright?"

"Can, don't worry. I'll make something that only involves the microwave."

"No, I meant are you okay on your own. Because I can come home. I would much rather be with you anyway."

"That's sweet of you. But you have a work thing. I understand. And I had a very good day today after we hung up. So don't worry about me."