Page 86 of Trusting the Fall
Mason’s eyes ping pong between his brother and my best friend. “Is it just me, or is it tense as fuck in here?”
37
Mason,ClaireandImade a break for it once Caleb and Lex got stuck in a stare off.
Claire and I mingle with my guys, who won’t stop whistling and hollering at our easy affection.
I told them we started dating the day after we made it official, but this is the first time they’re seeing us together as a couple.
Claire giggles against my lips as I dip her for a quick kiss, but that quickly halts when we’re interrupted by a new voice.
“Hi, Claire Bear.” Claire pulls out of my arms to see an older woman watching over us. Her ash blonde hair is styled back, and a white, fitted dress covers her petite frame.
Claire pulls out of my arms to hug her mother, whose eyes stay trained on me over her daughter’s shoulder. There’s no judgement, just curiosity.
“Hi, Mum.”
“The place looks beautiful,” she says looking down at Claire.
“Thank you.” Claire looks back at me, then takes my hand in hers. “This is Leif. His company did the renovations. And he’s the one I’ve been telling you about.”
“Hi, Margot, it’s nice to meet you.” I move my hand to firmly grip around Claire’s waist while the other extends to her mother.
“You too, Leif. Claire has told me a lot about you.”
“Is it okay if she calls you Leif? I know only family does. Lee just feels weird to me,” Claire rambles, her nerves shining through.
“Your family’s my family, Bombshell.” The words are quiet, but the sincerity is loud and clear.
“Those are some big words for someone you just met,” her mum says.
“We’ve known each other for three months now.” I shrug. “I knew I wanted more from the first night. And I’m eager to put in the work to prove that to Claire with every chance she gives me.” Claire snuggles into me, making warmth spread through my chest, accepting that she takes my words as safety.
Her mum hums in thought. “Well, you know I’m not the biggest believer in love,” she says to her daughter, “but I believe in you, Claire. And I trust you know what’s best for you.”
“Thank you, Mum.”
“Claire, did you want—Oh my goodness, is this your mother?” My own mother steps into our circle with wide-eyed excitement.
“Freya, this is my mum, Margot. Mum, this is Leif’s mum, Freya,” Claire says.
“It’s such a pleasure to meet you. We’re so happy our Leif has brought your beautiful daughter into our lives.”
“Thank you.”
“You have no drink yet.” Mum frowns down at Margot’s empty hands. “Come, let’s get you a drink and I’ll introduce you to Leif’s father. William!”
“I think my mum found a new friend,” I say as we watch Mum drag Margot into the crowd.
“Good luck to her. Mum doesn’t have a lot of friends.”
“My mother will change that. The Connors are unrelenting when we see something we want.”
“Shocker.”
A server comes over to us then, saying all the guests have been handed a flute of champagne and are ready for Claire to say a few words.
She takes my hand, pulling me behind her to the back corner of the salon. We stand in front of the huge mirror, mounted against the floral wallpaper.
