Daniel was the groomsman. He was stunning in a cream sherwani similar to Ravi’s, though his scarf was the exact shade of blue as Annika’s sari. He locked eyes with her and smiled as if he attended weddings like this all the time.

He walked toward her in that unassuming, powerful way he had, which she had loved since she’d first seen him that night outside of Phil’s. Annika held back while the families took their seats on either side of the mandap. Daniel stopped in front of her.

“It’s always more fun when they get the shoes,” he whispered before continuing along behind the other groomsmen.

Annika’s heart skipped a beat. If she had fallen in love with him the first time he’d said that, she’d fallen again, and deeper this time. She forced her feet to move. “Nice scarf,” she whispered to him as she made her way back up to Naya. His rumbling chuckle was a welcome, happy sound, and she couldn’t help turning back to watch him.

She took the steps up to her cousin as fast as her sari would allow and entered the bridal suite to a knowing look from Naya.

“He called me,” she blurted out before Annika could speak. “Wanted to know what color you were wearing.”

“Hmm.” Annika could not stop the grin. “Let’s get you married.” In short order, Nilay arrived, informing them that they were ready for the bride, and the wedding was underway.

Annika sat under the mandap next to Naya, while Daniel sat just outside the mandap with the other groomsmen. She couldn’t take her eyes off him. He spoke quietly to the other groomsmen around him, acknowledging their input, sending them to tend to things. Every so often, he would chuckle softly, occasionally catching her eye. The jolt of electricity from his eye contact was so wonderful that she didn’t care he’d caught her staring. This was a more relaxed, more jovial version of the man she loved. And yes. It was definitive: she completely loved him.

Naya and Ravi took their four turns around the sacred fire and were now officially husband and wife. Naya glowed, as did Ravi. It was as if they couldn’t believe their luck in having found each other. As part of the wedding party, Annika and Daniel joined them for pictures. The photographer kept putting them together—not that Annika minded having Daniel’s body pressed up against hers. There wasn’t much time for conversation, but Daniel took her hand every chance he could, and Annika willingly laced her fingers with his.