Steph nodded, falling into step with him as he headed in a direction she wouldn't have chosen. She really was completely and utterly lost in El Farah. She had so much to learn.
"So, being from here, what do you really think about arranged marriages? Do you think I'm being crazy?"
Having the chance to speak plainly with someone about her predicament was too good an opportunity to pass up, and Steph decided to make the most of it with Mehdi. The fact that there was an obvious spark of attraction between them was a moot point, but at least she had a momentary friend to confide in.
Mehdi ruminated on his answer for a moment.
"I don't think you're being crazy. It's perfectly rational to be afraid of the unknown. It's your body's response to the possibility of danger, and it's trying to protect you. I'm not the biggest fan of arranged marriages, if I'm being totally honest."
"The chances of us meeting again are fairly slim, Mehdi. You can be nothing if not honest with me on our first and last walk together."
Mehdi's eyebrows shot up at her blunt honesty. "You really don't think we'll ever see one another again?"
Steph shrugged. "I'm going to be getting married tomorrow, and I can't imagine my future husband would be thrilled to meet the man who took me on a midnight adventure the evening before our wedding."
"No, I suppose he wouldn't be," Mehdi agreed. "In that case, I find myself more of a progressive on a lot of issues facing our country. I have spent some time in the West, and I think they are doing many things right-by women, by minorities, with education. I would like to see more of that here. Arranged marriages aren't really a thing out there, as you've said, so I think it's fair to say that I'm not really supportive of that method of dating."
Steph smirked. "Method of dating? That's one way to describe it."
"And how would you? That's all arranged marriage is, isn't it? A way for two people to meet and start a life together? The only difference is the dating happens in conjunction with the marriage."
"That's a pretty big difference," Steph said, though she wasn't entirely certain of her own conviction on that point.
"Perhaps," Mehdi said with a shrug. "I wouldn't do something like, say, outlaw the practice, but it certainly wasn't for me."
"Wasn't for you?" Steph said, and Mehdi hesitated before he laughed.
"I misspoke. I mean it wouldn't be for me, were that to ever happen."
Something in his tone made Steph feel like he was hiding something, but she let it drop. She could detect many secrets under Mehdi's top layer, but she hardly had the time to delve into them.
As they walked, a food cart came up on their left, and Steph's stomach began to rumble.
"Are you hungry?" Mehdi asked.
"I haven't," Steph admitted.
Not missing a beat, Mehdi walked over to the cart and greeted the man, who watched him with wide eyes as he placed an order for two kebabs of meat and vegetables. He handed the man a wad of bills before thanking him and turning back to Steph, holding out a stick to her.
"Try this. You're going to love it."
Steph took the stick between two fingers, eyeing the meat with suspicion.
"Travel magazines advise against eating food from a cart, as it's likely not properly prepared."
Mehdi rolled his eyes. "Why would you ever listen to that? This is where the best food comes from," he said, holding his stick up for emphasis.
"What kind of meat is it?" Steph asked, eyeing the kebab a little more closely. It looked no different than a beef stick she would have gotten at home, with some grilled vegetables mixed in. Still, she cast a curious glance at Mehdi, waiting for his answer.
"Who cares what kind of meat it is? You're about to get married tomorrow. Why don't you try to live a little first?"
Steph narrowed her eyes at him, keeping her gaze steadily on his as she brought the stick to her lips and took a hearty bite of meat. It was perfectly flavored with a spice she had never tasted before. Her eyes opened wide, and she grinned.
"This is delicious!" she said.
Mehdi smiled back at her, taking a bite himself as they continued walking.
"Sometimes a little risk pays off. Hey, that could apply to your whole wedding situation too, right? Maybe what you don't know could end up being the most delicious thing you've ever tasted."
Steph rolled her eyes. "That metaphor is incomplete. My fiancé is not food."
Mehdi wiggled his eyebrows at her. "I think it makes perfect sense."
She swatted his arm gently, liking the feel of the defined muscle underneath her hand. If only, if only.
"Shut up. Anyway, I get your point. Maybe the unknown isn't always a bad thing, right?"
"Right," he said, finishing off his kebab. "Besides, what have you got to lose? It could be the greatest day of your life. Or it could be a complete train wreck. You won't know until you walk the path, right?"
"That's one way to look at it," Steph said, losing her appetite as she considered just how close she was to being married.
Mehdi stopped walking, and when Steph looked up she realized they had made it to her hotel. She dangled her empty stick by her side as she glanced at Mehdi, who was staring at her.
"You have such unique features," he said.
"What are you talking about?" Steph asked.
She was standing so close to him, she could have stood on her toes and kissed him then and there. Then again, that wouldn't exactly have been the best idea, now would it? The look in his eyes hinted that he was perhaps considering the same, though Steph hardly dared to dream of what that would be like.
"Your eyes are a startling blue given your skin tone. It makes them stand out far more than they would were you paler."
"You can thank my mother for that. She is your kinsman."
"And so are you," Mehdi reminded her.
"Yes. I suppose I am."
Mehdi placed two bracing hands on her shoulders, forcing her to look up into his eyes. The green specks there danced, and she forced herself to focus on his words.
"I know you feel like an outsider right now, but with time you'll feel at home here. El Farah is a beautiful country full of wonderful people, and I think you'll fit in just fine. Have a little faith, will you?"
"I'll try," Steph breathed.
She could smell him when he was that close to her. His scent was spicy, masculine and clean-just how a man ought to smell, she mused. She was almost lost in a trance as he stared down into her eyes, making sure she understood his words. Then he took a step back, placing his hands in his pockets.
"Well, it's been a pleasure meeting you. I suppose you won't tell me your last name before I go, so I can remember that one night 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 me, my name will be changed this time tomorrow."
Her heart sank just thinking about it. Here she was, standing next to the handsomest, kindest, most amazing man she had ever met, and she had to have met him mere hours before she would be marrying another. Life was so unfair.
"Well, no matter what happens, I wish you luck, Steph O'Hanlon. I think the man who will hold your heart is very lucky."
"He won't hold my heart," Steph said automatically. "He's just an investment my parents are making 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 moment longer.
She held out her hand for him to shake one last time. He stopped walking backward and stepped forward, placing his hand in hers and holding it tight. His gaze was intense.
"If you need anything, Steph, you come find me, okay? I'll always be willing to help you."
"You don't even know me," she said, not letting go of his hand.
"I don't need to. I have exceptional instincts, and something 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."
Steph swallowed back a sob, not wanting to think about how badly the next day could go. How could any man compare to Mehdi?