Page 37 of Demon On Deck

Kallie excuses herself to go to the restroom, leaving Mel and me alone.

“You can relax, Evren. I meant it when I said I liked you earlier.” She says with slight amusement.

I rub the back of my neck and huff out a breath.

“Thanks. The feelings mutual, for the record.”

Mel studies me, then asks plainly, “Do you love her?”

There’s no heat or accusation in the question, more like affirming what she already can see for herself.

“I do, with all my heart and soul,” I reply without hesitation. “But I think I screwed up.” I blurt.

Mel shifts in her seat, attention sharpening. Before she has a chance to reply or I can second-guess myself, I barrel on.

“I’m going too fast. I spooked her. She’s pulling away. She told me what her ex put her through. Two years of hell. You don’t recover from that quickly. I knew she was cautious. I should’ve been more patient. But I moved faster than she was ready for, and now… now I’m losing her.” My heart is racing, and the anxiety I thought I checked at the door is reaching new levels.

“Evren,” Mel says gently, “It’s not you. I’ve never, ever seen my sister so happy. That’s all thanks to you.”

I shake my head as the panic continues to rise despite Mel’s reassurance. “Then what is it? If it isn’t me, if I didn’t do something wrong, then why is she pulling back? What would make her this distant?” My voice is desperate and pleading as I look to Mel.

She shifts in her seat again, looking uncomfortable, maybe even guilty. “She thinks she’s protecting you,” she finally says, choosing her words carefully.

Shock slams into me. “Protecting me from what?”

Mel hesitates. She looks like she wants to say more, but holds back.

Her eyes soften into a silent plea⁠—

Give her time. Don’t give up.

“Hey, my sweet boy! How was lunch? How did it go with Kallie’s sister?” I can practically see my mother vibrating with energy on the video chat. She knew that I was meeting Kallie’s sister for lunch today, and I promised I would call her when I got home.

Now I wish my mood matched her excitement.

My mom is once again seated on the balcony, the sounds of the sea echoing behind her. My father sits to her left, barely in the frame that my mother is hogging in her excitement.

“Hi, Mom, Dad.”

“Hey, Son.” Dad says, taking a sip of his evening tea.

Mom shushes my father with a flick of her hand.

“Don’t keep us waiting, sweetheart. Tell us everything.” Her smile is bright and expectant.

I exhale slowly. “It was good.”

Her face falls a fraction, and my Dad sets his cup down and leans in, fully alert.

“Oh, honey, what happened?” She asks gently.

“It was good, Mom. Truly. Mel and I got on great. She even told me that she’s never seen Kallie so happy.” I say, rubbing a hand along my jaw.

“So what’s got you looking so down?” My Dad asks.

I rub my neck and suck in a shaky breath.

“Something’s wrong,” I admit. “Don’t ask me what, but I can feel it.” I rub my chest over my heart where a steady ache pulses. “She’s been distant. Pulling away. But I can’t figure out why.” I say, nearly choking on my words. The thought of losing Kallie is too much to think of.