Page 21 of Enchanted

I wasn’t following his train of thought at all. “Yes.”

“Then it’s fine.” Benji brushed it off with a wave. “Bit of a grey area, to be sure, but I don’t think he’d be upset about it in the long run.”

Nope. I had no clue. “About what?”

“About you being his friend,” Benji said, clearly exasperated. “Honestly, it’s so obvious, Rami. He doesn’t remember saying that to you. From the sounds of it, there was something else stopping him from striking up a friendship. Either way, that conversation never happened as far as Ethan’s concerned. So be his friend. Show up for him. Get to know him. Then, when he finally realises you’re the one he’s meant to be with, it’ll happen. It has to.”

My throat thickened. “And if you’re wrong?”

“I’m never wrong. Besides, let’s face it, you won’t be able to ignore the pull forever.”

“Theo seems to be doing a good job.”

“Theo’s hiding more than you realise. But you’re not him. Being Ethan’s friend will allow you to be in his life. To make sure he’s safe. Don’t you want that?”

I swallowed hard. “More than anything.”

“Then do it,” he said simply. “You’ve already said you think he’s lonely. Do you really want your mate out there, feeling that way? You’re here, Rami. We all are. If he’s truly lonely, he has a whole family right here, ready to take him in.”

“Slow down.” I held up a hand. “You’re several giant steps ahead right now.”

Benji huffed. “I don’t know what it is with you lot. If this person is your fated mate, what’s the point of dancing around the subject? I swear, all of you seem insistent on finding obstacles. The truth is, you’re going to end up with Ethan. Why fight it?”

“I’m not fighting it.”

“You’re not fighting for it either,” Benji said. “I suggest you get started, Rami.”

Chapter 6

Rami

An hour later, I was sat at the conference table. We’d recently got a much bigger one to accommodate all the mates who kept popping up. For once, the presence of Sam, Jeremiah, and Nox didn’t bother me. I barely noticed they were there. Not with Ethan’s face grinning out at us from the huge screen on the opposite wall.

The date on it said it was from two years ago. There was more weight on him and a healthy shine to his skin. He’d been snapped mid-laugh, green eyes sparkling, his curls as wild as I’d suspected, the red locks being swept sideways by the wind.

He was beautiful.

“Rami?” Nate’s question pierced my bubble. “I take it from your drooling that this is him?”

“Yes,” I whispered, unable to drag my gaze away from his photo. “That’s Ethan.”

Theo gave a low whistle. “You’ve got good taste, man.”

A growl rattled in my chest. “Don’t you even think —”

“I’ve got this,” Sam said quietly, resting a hand on my bicep. He raised a brow at Theo, who was smirking. “If you upset Rami when he’s already this stressed, I won’t make you take a lap.”

Theo’s smirk wavered. “No?”

“Nope,” Sam said. “I’ll send you into a ring with Zeke and tell him to let loose. It’s been ever such a long time since he’s done that.”

Beside him, Ezekiel gave Theo a sinister smile. He rarely let his temper get the better of him these days, but we all knew he’d love nothing more than to unleash it on Theo.

Theo paled, slumping in his seat. “Fine. Sorry, Rami. I’ll behave.”

“Thank you,” Micah said for me. “And thank you, Sam.”

Sam blushed at the attention, sidling closer to Ezekiel. Ez already had his arm raised for him to wiggle under, knowing it’d be needed.