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“I’ll try,” Steph breathed

She could smell him when he was that close to her His scent was spicy, ht to smell, she mused She was al sure she understood his words Then he took a step back, placing his hands in his pockets

“Well, it’s been a pleasureyou I suppose you won’t tell ht I took a stroll with Steph from El Farah?”

“It’s O’Hanlon,” she said with a small smile

“Well now, that is not a very El Farahn name”

Steph frowned “No, it is not Luckily for ed this time tomorrow”

Her heart sank just thinking about it Here she was, standing next to the handso man she had ever met, and she had to haveanother Life was so unfair

“Well, no matter what happens, I wish you luck, Steph O’Hanlon I think the man ill hold your heart is very lucky”

“He won’t hold my heart,” Steph said auto for my future”

“Well, I suppose you would say that’s just the realist in you talking, right?”

“I suppose I would,” she said, feeling empty

Mehdi nodded, taking a step back “I suppose that’s my cue to leave, then I hope for your sake that your parents are sleeping soundly in their bed You would do well to get some sleep too, you know You don’t want to look tired on your wedding day”

“Thanks for the advice,” she said, fighting the urge to reach out and pull him back as he drifted further and further away

“And thanks again, for your help,” she said, trying to drag the conversation out just a er

She held out her hand for hi backward and stepped forward, placing his hand in hers and holding it tight His gaze was intense

“If you need anything, Steph, you co to help you”

“You don’t even know o of his hand

“I don’t need to I have exceptional instincts, and so tells me you’re the kind of woman any man would be lucky to take care of If your future husband doesn’t see that, I’ll be happy to help you in any way I can”