Page 79 of Finding You
“This is my boyfriend, Mother, Declan Quinn.”
I offered my hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Justice Wentworth.”
She shook it, returning my intensity. I was no stranger to hard-ass moms. My mom could hold her own with the best. But the justice was in a league of her own.
“I’m glad you decided to show. Best to keep calm and carry on in these situations.”
Astrid stood next to me silently.
“I need to mingle. But it’s good to see you looking so…”—she looked over Astrid, taking in her gown, her height, and her physique—“so healthy and rested.”
It seemed like a compliment, but the way it was delivered made it sound like an insult. Astrid remained perfectly still, standing straight up at her full height, and gave her mother a frozen smile. “Great to see you, Mother.”
She walked away briskly. Like Astrid, the justice moved with purpose and precision. It was maybe a minute-long interaction, but I could feel the tension radiating through Astrid’s body. “Do you need me to take you back upstairs, killer?” I whispered in her ear.
She smiled at me and threw me a saucy wink. “Maybe.”
* * *
We perused the silent auction items and sipped our drinks. Aside from the monkey suit, which I will admit looked pretty good, I was having a good time. Astrid couldn’t keep her hands off me and needed me by her side constantly, which I didn’t mind at all. I felt like we were in the giant ocean tank at the aquarium, and we were just sweet little fish being circled by dozens of species of sharks.
The MC announced it was time for dinner. We took our seats at one of the Burns & Glenn tables.
I pulled out Astrid’s chair, and suddenly I heard a sharp, nasally voice behind me.
“What are you doing here?”
I turned around and came face to face with an older, wiry man. Astrid stood up and crossed her arms.
“Max.”
His frown turned into a smile so quickly most would have missed it. So this was the fucker who screwed over Astrid. What a joke.
His wife caught up to him and grabbed his arm. “Max, sweetie, is this our table?” she asked kindly. She seemed pleasant enough and gave us all a warm smile.
Astrid looked like she wanted to kick his ass. I would have offered to help but I knew my girl didn’t need it. In fact, I could have offered to hold the phone so we could take a video and post it on YouTube, as a cautionary tale for perverts who try to coerce young women into sleeping with them.
Max’s eyes were locked on Astrid, who strode forward, pulled herself up to her full height, and offered her hand to the confused woman at his side. “I’m Astrid Wentworth, a former associate at Burns & Glenn. You must be Mrs. Shapiro.”
The woman shook her hand and smiled.
Max muttered “fired” under his breath. I coughed and gave him a stare. I watched him study me. His eyes traveled the length of my body, probably taking in my height, my muscle mass, and my face, which was currently saying “Get the fuck away from my woman.” He wisely decided to deescalate the situation and grabbed his wife and quickly took a seat at another table.
Once we were seated and attention was diverted by announcing the winners of the silent auction, I turned to Astrid and searched her face for some clue as to how she was feeling.
She squeezed my hand.
Then she leaned in. “I wouldn’t have been able to do this without you. Thanks for having my back.”
A warm, blissful feeling spread through my chest. I lopped my arm around the back of her chair, laying clear claim to her, and sipped my whiskey. Although I could do without the monkey suit and the shitty company, I was having a good night.
I loved Astrid. I couldn’t deny what I had known for a while. I would do anything for her. I wanted to protect her, but most of all I wanted to build her up so she could go out and fight for herself. Watching her masterfully work the room, head held high, was a beautiful thing. She knew her power, she knew her value, and she wasn’t afraid to show it.
Dinner, speeches, more drinks, and an auction later, we were enjoying a dance when I felt a tap on my shoulder.
“May I cut in?” I turned around to find a dapper-looking man who looked to be in his eighties.
“Judge Forsythe!” Astrid exclaimed. “It is so good to see you. This is Declan, my boyfriend.”
