in my amped-up tracks. Was Arjen about to do what I thought he was about to do? Once he had Khane facing Desiree, and their eyes met, I could almost feel the love the two had for each other.
Arjen turned, addressing the group with his lingering gaze before speaking. “Pastor, if you could start the ceremony over. I would like to give this man to this woman.”
Arjen Vallin was making one of the noblest gestures I had ever bore witness to. Instead of marrying my cousin, he was deciding to let his brother marry her. It was obvious to anyone with working eyes that the two were in love with each other.
However, there was a serious question blaring in my mind. Wasn’t something voted on by the syndicate final? Would there be consequences of Arjen not marrying Desiree? He either knew what loopholes to pull out or had enough high-up friends that he could get away with skirting their decisions.
His decision meant that I no longer had a fiancé, but as long as my cousin was happy, I didn’t care. The smile on her face, the joyful tears that slid down her cheeks as the pastor completed their marriage ceremony, was all I needed to see.
I returned to my seat and stood in place, genuinely happy that someone had received joy from this day. Outside of rumors, I hardly knew Khane, but I was confident he would lay down his life for my cousin.
I texted Patrena an update on the unexpected turn of events of Desiree’s wedding, knowing she would be jumping to know the details. It broke her heart to miss Desiree’s wedding, but she’d had an emergency with a domestic abuse case she was working.
While reading Patrena’s reply, I glanced up in time to catch Arjen making his approach. He was attractive enough to make me look his tall frame up and down a few times, but he wasn’t my type.
There was no need for him to attempt to smooth things over with me if that was his reason for approaching. I didn’t care that my fiancé had married my cousin, because I was down for anything that made her that happy.
Arjen planted himself in the spot next to me and just stood there while his fresh scent called my attention as much as his demanding aura did. I found it difficult to concentrate on my cousin and not him as he closed the already tight space between us.
“Arjen,” he introduced himself, reaching out his big hand. His gray-blue eyes caught me off guard, snatching my attention as I found myself helplessly focusing on them. Not only was the color mesmerizing, but there was something that had flashed in them when we locked gazes. Usually, men were more determined to check out my body than to stare into my eyes, but Arjen was content holding my gaze hostage.
I took his outstretched hand and found his touch more delicate than I expected. His hand swallowed mine, and the warmth emanating from it ran up my arm before zipping through me. I ignored the weird sensation and introduced myself.
“Mecca.”
He flashed a playful smile.
“Mecca, like Islam’s holiest city?”
I fought the smile that threatened to show itself as I remained locked in the tight grips of his stare.
“Yes, but unlike the city, I can’t claim the holy title.”
He chuckled, shaking his head and eyeing me like he knew I was trouble. Once he decided to let my hand go, he remained standing next to me. I found Desiree and Khane in the crowd and concentrated on them.
After our handshake, Arjen seemed a bit restless standing next to me, and I could sense him glancing at me more than he was the happy couple. He hadn’t mentioned anything yet about the last-minute wedding change he’d made.
Was the restless energy I was picking up due to him expecting me to be upset about losing my fiancé?
A smile traced my lips when a funny thought hit me. Was all that restlessness swirling because I didn’t fawn all over him like the women in this building were doing before he had taken the stage?
The sight of Khane and Desiree recaptured my curiosity. Their infectious joy affected me emotionally despite me fighting like hell to pretend it didn’t. How could I not want to see my cousin happy? Neither of us had encountered much happiness in our lives, and although this was unexpected, it was something to be celebrated.
Desiree gleefully returned everyone’s congratulatory hugs, but Khane was