Astra smiled at him, but it wasn’t completely sincere. She followed her mother back toward the kitchen.
“Wow, something smells good,” Astra said as she entered the room.
“Your father convinced me to pick up a brisket at that barbeque place he loves, and he’ll be even happier to see that you brought his favorite casserole.” Her mom gave Astra a knowing look. “I have a feeling he planned this meal to his benefit.”
Astra grinned. “Of course, he did.”
Her mother tucked the cheesy broccoli and rice casserole into the oven next to a large aluminum pan that was covered with foil. Then, she took the plastic wrap off the tray Astra made and said, “This looks almost too pretty to eat, Astra.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“You want a glass of wine?” her mother asked, taking the tray to the island.
“Please.” She was going to need it for this conversation.
A few moments later, her mother pressed a glass of rosé in her hand. “Now, what did you need to tell me about your man?”
Astra took a large swallow of wine before she answered, “There’s several things I haven’t told you about Rune.”
“What’s that, dear?”
“First of all, he’s not a Viking or a demigod,” Astra said.
Her mother’s brows lowered. “Okay,” she drawled.
Astra took another deep breath. “He’s a vampire.”
Her mother was silent for a moment. “Okay,” she repeated.
“I’m in love with him,” Astra confessed. “And I want you and Dad to go easy on him when you meet him.”
The look on her mother’s face was the same one she wore before she went into a battle. “Astra—” she began.
“Mom, I love you and I respect you a great deal, but I’m telling you right now that he’s smart, funny, handsome, kind, and he treats me better than any male I’ve ever dated before. He makes me happy.” Astra paused to suck in a quick breath. “And I deserve to be happy. He doesn’t deserve the hell you put my past boyfriends through.”
Her mother scowled. “If he loves you, then he’ll—
Astra lifted a hand. “It doesn’t matter what he’ll do. All that matters is what I’m asking you to do. Give him a chance without making him miserable. That’s it.”
Her mother set her wineglass down on the counter with a sharp click. “You act like your father and I torture the men in your life.”
“Mom,you do!”
Her mother waved a hand. “That’s ridiculous!”
“Mom, do you remember the last guy I dated?” she asked.
Her mother thought for a moment. “Josh?”
“No, Mom. Trent.”
“Which one was he again?”
Astra threw her arms in the air. “It doesn’t matter. Dad drove him twenty miles out of the city, dumped him in the woods, and told him not to bother calling me again if he couldn’t figure out how to get back without calling for help!”
Before the argument could continue, Astra’s father called out from the living room. “Devorah and Claudia are here, and they brought a guest. Come say hello!”
“This conversation isn’t over,” Astra’s mother said.
