“I don’t know about that,” Veronica stated. She lifted the tablet in her hand. “Based on her updated intake interview, I’d say they would be a good match.”
“What?” Dominique said, coming over to the desk to take the tablet. She read the information on the screen, her eyes growing wider by the moment. “I never would have matched her with any of the males I did if I’d seen this. Why, half her answers are completely different!” She looked at Veronica. “Why did she lie during her interview?”
Veronica cleared her throat. “I don’t think she intentionally lied. At least not to us.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think she was lying to herself about who she is and what she wanted and needed. She wasn’t happy when I pointed that out, but she did agree that I was right.”
“Youpointed this out to her?” Dominique asked.
“I did,” she answered, sitting up straighter. That comment stung. “I’m not a complete wimp.”
“You’re not a wimp at all,” Dominique said. “But you also don’t like confrontation and Astra Falk is a Valkyrie. They’re warriors by their very nature.”
“She’s also a lonely woman, looking for someone to love her. But she was never going to find him if she wasn’t honest with herself about who she was and what she wanted from the relationship. I wanted to help her.”
Dominique smiled down at Veronica and handed the tablet back to her. “You’re a good person. And braver than I am because I would have been hesitant to mention it.”
“You would have talked to her about it because it was the right thing to do.”
“Yes, I would have. But I would have been a little frightened when I did.”
“Well, I was a little frightened, too.”
They shared a smile until the phone in Dominique’s office rang.
“More work to do,” Dominique said, disappearing back into her office.
There was always work to do.
But Veronica couldn’t help wishing there was time for her to find love, too.
ChapterFive
Rune had been looking forward to this day since his first date with Astra a few days ago.
He packed the meal he’d ordered from his favorite deli into a cooler. There was pasta salad, Caesar salad, smoked salmon, sandwiches, and fresh vegetables and homemade dip. He tucked a bottle of sparkling wine and a bottle of water in the side pockets. He’d even bought a picnic kit just for today.
Yeah, he was sunk over this woman. He now had to find a place to store a freaking picnic kit. And he didn’t care.
He’d pack her a picnic once a week if it meant she would smile at him every time.
Once the cooler was packed, he headed out to Falk Security Services. His excitement about this was two-fold because not only was he going to see Astra again, but he was also going to see where she worked. The way she spoke about her job made it clear that it was an important part of her life.
He wanted a chance to see that side of her.
When he arrived at the building, it was locked up tight. Setting the cooler down by his feet, he pulled his phone out of his pocket.
After their dinner, Astra had given him her phone number, so he was able to call her.
“Astra Falk,” she answered. She sounded so official and serious. It made him smile.
“It’s Rune. I’m here at your office but the doors are locked.”
“I’ll be right down. I’m the only one here today.”
“No problem,” he said. “I can wait.”
