Lured into Love (Blossom in Winter #2) - Melanie Martins Page 0,158

I would hear from him soon.”

“Oh jeez…” Well, if Eric got his little ego smashed, no wonder he might want to avenge himself in some way.

“I’m not sure what he is up to. But my parents already made a few phone calls to put him in line.”

“You think he will get fired?”

“I dunno. It’s not easy to fire a state attorney general. But we have some people tracking him, and they will find a way to get him to resign.”

“Damn, Emma. I’m so sorry for this…”

“Babe, it’s all good. Um, I’m gonna head somewhere warm and have fun.” I smile, thinking how that’s exactly where I am right now. “And then I’ll see you in December for the wedding.” I let out a quick sigh, realizing we are only a month and a half away from it. “Still happening, right?”

“Of course,” I reply just as fast. “Emma, be careful. There’s only one Emma Hasenfratz in this world.”

“I know. My parents told me exactly the same thing.” She then pauses for a beat. “By the way, um, can I be your maid of honor?”

My brows raise at her question. Since Julia said she’d take care of the organization of the wedding, I hadn’t even thought about it. “Yes, of course.” I’ve got no idea what it means to be a maid of honor, but why not if that makes her happy?

“Perfect, well, I’m gonna have to go. Alex’s lawyer has been patiently waiting for his phone. Thank Alex for me.”

“I will.”

We say goodbye to each other once more. And thank God I got to speak to Emma tonight.

After hanging up, a huge weight slips off my shoulders, and I blow out a breath, more relaxed and calm now knowing my Emma is safe.

“Is she alright?” I turn my head in his direction, and I see Alex has been behind me the whole time.

“Yeah, she is fine.” I give him his iPhone, before putting my arms around his neck and whispering, “Thank you for that.” I pause, smiling at him. “I know how much is on the line, but I’m really glad I could speak to her.”

“Hey! Finally, there you are!” We hear a female voice, and I see Mona walking toward us. “There’s someone I would love to introduce you to.” Oh gosh, don’t tell me Amanda is here! “Have you ever met a soothsayer?” she asks with excitement in her tone.

“Oh, um, no. I haven’t.” Jeez, I don’t want to talk to a soothsayer. I’ve got no interest in knowing what the future holds for me. Honestly, after my mom’s friend foresaw my death, I prefer to know nothing and live in peace.

“Oh, you haven’t met Auntie Louise yet?” Alex asks.

The fact that he calls her Auntie Louise bothers me more than I’d like to admit. After all, she’s not his aunt, she’s Mona’s aunt. I shake my head in response, but it’s hard getting used to the fact that Hendrik has a new family here—Mona’s. And even though they are not married, after eighteen years together, it’s normal that Hendrik—and consequently, Alex—knows her family well. I’m at least glad her daughter is not here. It’d have been such poor taste.

“You should. She’s really a sweetheart,” Alex insists. A sweetheart? Maybe, but she’s also a soothsayer!

All of a sudden, though, Mona takes me by the hand and drags me to the other side of the living room. There, I see an older lady with very short gray-white hair, glasses, cherry lipstick, and silver hoops in her ears sitting on the sofa, and surrounded by younger women. She seems to be the oldest of them all, but also the wisest. Her smile is so kind and warm that it’s obvious to me that, as Alex just said, she’s a sweetheart. We stand a few steps away from her, and I observe how this lady, with her enigmatic presence and warm energy, is describing what she sees in the palm of the woman she is talking to. Then she gives her a hug like a grandmother would to a granddaughter.

“Do you want to try?” Mona asks me. And before I can say anything, Mona is already calling, “Auntie?” As the soothsayer looks in our direction, we step closer, and Mona says, “Petra is Alexander’s new girlfriend. Can you read her lines, please?”

All the women glare at us like we should wait in line. And I just want to run away from here, hating being the center of so much unwanted attention. Damn,