Tightrope

Chapter 22

Previously:

"Tell me a story about her, Sanem."

"Let me tell you about the first time I ever met her," she said. He moved off of her and lay on his side, facing her. She turned onto her side too, and she began to talk. Can covered both of them with a blanket, and then he listened intently for the next several hours as Sanem told him stories about her time with Mihriban.

He finally fell asleep. She curled up against him and closed her eyes, and was soon lulled to sleep by the steady rhythm of his heart.

***

When Sanem woke up, the room was dark and she was alone. She'd kicked the covers off while she slept, and she noticed she was wearing Can's shorts again. He must've put them back on her while she slept. She smiled at the thought, though she couldn't believe she didn't wake up--she must've been exhausted.

Where was Can? It was early afternoon when they'd fallen asleep, and she wondered what the time was now. Where had she left her phone? She didn't remember when the last time was that she saw it. Had she left it in Can's car when they'd arrived the day before? She needed to get it--she hoped Mihriban or her father hadn't tried calling. She wondered if Metin had called...

She got up, and when she opened the door, she saw light coming from the kitchen, and the delicious aroma of something cooking wafted up the stairs. She realized then that she was starving; they hadn't eaten anything since their picnic the day before.

She stopped at the entrance to the kitchen and smiled at the sight before her: Can was wearing an apron and he was standing over the stove stirring something. He was humming to himself. She was glad to see him in such good spirits.

She walked up behind him quietly and wrapped her arms around his middle, resting her cheek against his back, right between his shoulder blades.

Can smiled and set the spoon down. He covered her hands with his. "You're up," he said, bringing both her hands up to his mouth to kiss them.

"Yes," she said, turning her face into his back and pressing a kiss to his spine. "Why didn't you wake me?"

"You were sleeping so soundly, I couldn't wake you," he said, turning to face her. He brushed her hair away from her face and kissed her cheek. Her skin was still warm and soft from sleep. "Did you get enough rest?"

"Yes. I feel great." She gave him a tight hug. "How are you?" she asked, looking up at him.

"I'm...okay," he said with a small smile. "You being here with me is making this easier for me to handle. So thank you," he said, leaning down to give her a soft kiss on the lips.

"This is what we do for each other, love. I'll always be here for you." They stood there holding each other, looking into each other's eyes. Sanem caressed his face with both hands and Can took her right hand and kissed her fingers.

"I'm starving," Sanem said after a few minutes, trying to peek around him to see what he was making. "What are you cooking? It smells amazing."

He laughed. She always knew how to lighten the mood so he wouldn't drown in his thoughts. "I knew you'd be hungry," he said, smiling at her. "I am, too. It's just simple pasta and a salad. Does that sound okay?"

"It sounds wonderful," she said, raising up on her tiptoes to kiss his lips. Her hands settled on his sides, just above his waist. "Can, I think I left my phone in the car. I'm worried my father might be trying to get a hold of me. Can we go to the car after we eat?"

"Actually, I already went and brought our things in." He nodded toward the counter behind her. "Your purse is there; I put your phone inside." His eyes moved over her face in adoration and his hands moved briskly up and down her back, bringing her body back to life after her nap. "Metin called and texted, by the way," he said.