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The village was quiet at this hour, with most residents either working or resting before their evening activities. Din walked at a leisurely pace, enjoying the serene beauty of the surroundings. The pathways were lined with flowering shrubs, their blooms adding splashes of color to the carefully maintained landscape.

As he walked, he rehearsed how he might suggest dinner to Fenella. If he were too casual, it might seem dismissive of the significance, but if he were too formal, she might feel pressured. He needed to find that delicate middle ground.

Perhaps after their meeting with Atzil, he could suggest dinner as a way to celebrate. He had no doubt that Atzil would hire her.

He could frame it as a practical alternative to the limited dining options in the village, rather than a romantic gesture.

Unless Fenella signaled that she wanted more.

Yeah, dream on.

Din shook his head at his own thoughts. He was overthinking this, analyzing it like one of his archaeological sites—layer by layer, looking for meaning in every fragment.

Thomas was right. Fenella didn't need that version of him.

She needed someone real, someone present, someone who could match her directness with his own.

As he neared Shira's house, a strange sense of calm settled over Din. Yesterday's nerves had largely dissipated, replaced by a quiet confidence. Not arrogance—never that—but the steady certainty that he was exactly where he was meant to be, doing exactly what he was meant to do.

23

FENELLA

On the way back from the clinic, Jasmine had insisted that Fenella and Kyra stop by her house and goshoppingin her closet. Her excuse was that she needed to get rid of some of the old stuff to make room for new, but Fenella knew that her newly discovered cousin was just being generous.

Jasmine wanted Fenella to have nice things for her so-called dates with Din and for her job interview.

Still, Fenella wouldn't have taken anything if Jasmine hadn't threatened not to let her and Kyra walk out of the closet unless they were each carrying an armful of clothing.

Fenella had chosen the few items that Jasmine had claimed were too short or too small or just no longer wanted, and out of the pile she'd taken, she'd opted to wear a simple white blouse and a pair of dark jeans for her job interview.

As the doorbell rang, her heart gave a little jump, and she gave herself a final once-over before hurrying to answer it.

When she pulled the door open, she had to catch her breath.

Din stood on the doorstep looking like he'd stepped out of a fashion magazine. He wore slim-fitting gray jeans that accentuated his long legs, paired with a deep burgundy button-down shirt that accentuated the rich tones in his dark hair. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing strong forearms, and he'd left the top button undone—just casual enough to make her wonder what lay beneath.

"Hello," he said, a slight smile playing at his lips. "Are you ready to go?"

"I am." She stepped outside and pulled the door closed behind her. "You look nice."

"Thank you." His gaze traveled over her with quiet appreciation. "You look lovely. Beautiful."

They fell into step alongside each other, their arms occasionally brushing as they walked. Fenella was bursting to share her news, the excitement fizzing inside her like champagne.

"You're in a good mood," Din observed. "You're practically bouncing."

"I've had an interesting morning," she said. "You'll never believe what Bridget discovered when she ran genetic tests on the samples she took from me."

Din gave her a curious look. "Do tell."

"I'm related to Kyra and Jasmine." The words tumbled out in a rush. "We share the same maternal lineage—some ancestor from the Caucasus Mountains about seven or eight hundred years ago."

Din's eyebrows rose. "That explains why the three of you look alike. But it is unexpected."

"It's absolutely mad." She couldn't keep the smile off her face.

"Well, congratulations. Do you think it's a good family to be related to?" he asked, his tone teasing.