“You, too.”
After she disconnected, Rune sat for a little longer, staring at his computer.
* * *
In the Mystical Matchmakers office, Veronica stared at her phone much the same way Rune stared at his computer.
Even as she’d given him advice, she’d felt his resistance, as though he didn’t truly think she was correct.
And it worried her.
She knew that Dominique would tell her not to take client’s emotions personally, that she couldn’t take on that sort of weight, but it was difficult. So difficult.
Especially since she experienced their emotions almost as she experienced her own.
For the last twenty-four years, since she was old enough to speak to her parents, Veronica struggled with feeling too much. Her own emotions. Other people’s emotions.
Her parents were also empaths, but to a lesser degree. They tried to help her, to give her tools to deal with the overwhelming feelings.
But it hadn’t always been enough.
Veronica took a deep breath and tried to push memories to the side. She didn’t want to think about that time in her life and the fight to come back to herself.
“Veronica, are you okay?”
She looked up to see Dominique standing in front of her desk with a concerned expression on her face.
“I’ve been calling your name for a few minutes. You look worried.”
Veronica blinked. “Sorry about that. I just got off the phone with Mr. Ferguson and he was unsettled. It threw me off balance for a few minutes.”
Dominique nodded. “I understand. What is he unsettled about?”
“He’s been on three dates with Ms. Falk now and she didn’t realize he was a vampire until their second date. Apparently, this might be an issue for her parents, and he’s concerned that it will cause problems in the future.”
Dominique nodded again. “That’s a legitimate concern. But you said that they’ve only been dating for a short time, yes? There’s a chance he may never meet them.”
“That’s what I said, but it didn’t relieve his worries. I could still feel them.”
Her boss gave her a pointed look. “But those feelings aren’t your concern.”
Veronica sighed and leaned back in her chair. “I know, I know, but that doesn’t mean I can’t feel them.”
“You need to let it go. We’re here to help people, not control their thoughts and emotions.”
“Stop being so logical,” Veronica said.
Dominique laughed, which made her look younger. Lighter. Veronica never noticed the weight that Dominique seemed to carry constantly until it was lifted. When she laughed or smiled, she seemed freer.
“That’s my job,” her boss said. “Logical and helpful.”
“Well, my job is emotions.”
“Maybe, but not controlling them.”
“You make too much sense,” Veronica murmured.
“Logical, remember? I just said that.”
