“Have you talked to them about this behavior?”
Astra laughed. “Oh, yeah. They know we hate it, but they have this idea that anyone who truly loves us will put up with their insanity long enough to get to know them.”
Dominique suppressed a smile. She could hear the frustration in Astra’s voice and knew her client wouldn’t appreciate it if she expressed amusement. And she imagined she would be pretty frustrated if she had to deal with that kind of interference, too.
“Perhaps you could talk to them about Rune? Tell them you’d like them to give him a chance.” Dominique suggested.
“I probably will, but I’m going to wait just a bit longer.”
“Are you going to warn Rune what he’ll be facing if they refuse to tone it down?”
“Yes. He’s aware. He’s been supportive of waiting to meet them, but he’s met two of my sisters and I know it’s only a matter of time before he wants to meet my parents. I’m very close to my family and he knows that.”
“It’s probably best to wait until you’re ready, especially if you think there will be conflict.”
“I agree. I’m just worried my parents or Rune won’t agree.”
“You can only do your best with this, Astra. I imagine that your parents are like most and that they only want you to be happy and fulfilled in your romantic relationships.”
“I hope you’re right,” Astra said.
“Any time you need to talk, or after you’ve spoken to your family, please feel free to call us. We don’t just find matches. We try to help you navigate some of the pitfalls of relationships.”
“Thank you, Dominique. I’ll keep that in mind. You’ve been helpful.”
“I have?”
Dominique heard the smile in Astra’s voice when she answered. “Yes, you have. You’re not the first person to tell me not to place my own expectations of my parents on them because they might surprise me.”
Dominique laughed a little. “Will you listen this time?”
“Yeah, I think the third time’s the charm. I’ll be in touch if I need advice,” she said. “Good-bye, Ms. Proxa.”
“Good-bye, Ms. Falk.”
Dominique was still smiling when she disconnected. She might not be an empath like Veronica, but she had been a matchmaker for a long time. She understood how people thought. It may have been a while since she handled this part of the business, but she was perfectly capable of doing so again.
Feeling more confident, Dominique went to the next name on the list and got ready to make the call.
ChapterFourteen
Astra Falk was in love for the first time in her life.
Truly, head-over-heels in love.
Rune Ferguson was everything she’d been looking for and she hadn’t even realized it.
In the months before she met him, she tended to work until eight or nine at night before going home, eating a solitary meal in front of the television, and going to bed at ten. Other than going to the gym to work out with her sisters, she had no social life to speak of.
She’d never been the type for girlfriends, or any kind of friends for that matter. She didn’t care for the company of others outside of her family, but things with Rune were different.
Hewas different.
She didn’t have to be anything other than herself. He never expected her to temper her emotions or always be strong. He didn’t give her shit for tearing up over a sad movie. Valkyries had the reputation of strength and ferocity, and she did have those qualities. But he didn’t expect her to be strong all the time. Most of the men she’d dated in the past expected her to be tough, to never get her feelings hurt, to never cry. She despised it.
In her work life, Astra had to keep it together. She needed to portray herself as a confident, competent, and sometimes even dangerous professional.
She didn’t want to do that in her personal life and Rune was the first man who seemed to not only understand that but welcome it.
