Page 67 of Married to My Grumpy Minotaur Boss

Ronan

The goddamn cameras are everywhere.

Amy must have brought in additional crew members, because every time I turn around there’s a camera in my face.

Justine looks amazing. They have her in a little pink number with floaty sleeves and a button up front. It’s modest on top, but short. The way the hem flirts with her upper thighs draws my eye almost constantly.

Like I don’t know what she looks like beneath it.

“Ronan!” Mom pulls my horn and tugs me down into a fierce hug that brooks no resistance. “It’s been too long. No wonder I never know what’s going on with you these days. I can’t believe I had to hear it from your employees.”

“Mom. I’m sorry. You know how things are. It’s been bloody hectic at work lately, what with filming and rescheduling almost a month’s worth of meetings and projects and conferences.”

She purses her lips. “When is life not hectic, Ronan?”

She always sees through me.

At that moment, Justine comes over with a tall leggy woman with a slim frame and bleached blonde hair with no traces of grays. It’s only in her face I get a hint of her true age. The rest of her appearance is youthful and attractive. This must be her mother. Behind them, coming closer, is a shorter stocky man with brown skin, wide set features and smiling eyes. This must be Justine’s stepfather. I guess the time has come for introductions. I was hoping to get my mother alone before now.

I smile for the cameras and reach out a hand toward Justine’s stepfather. “Hello, Hamu? Silvia? It’s so nice to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.” I see them both glance around in surprise at Justine and then back to me.

“This is my mother, Dora, and my sister will be joining us later if she can make it. She’s been a little delayed.”

Hamu, Justine’s stepfather, shakes my hand firmly and Silvia leans in for a hug. It’s all friendly and more relaxed than I was anticipating. Some people get strange about monsters, even now, years after we came out publicly.

“Mate, I have to admit this has come as a surprise to us. We didn’t even know Justine was going on the show, but she’s always been a fan. She probably knows more about the program than you do!”

“Hamu!” Justine swats his arm but he just laughs. It’s a big belly laugh and the lines next to his warm eyes crinkle. I can’t help returning the smile he gives everyone.

“I can pretty much guarantee you’re right, actually,” I tell him. “It’s pretty humbling.”

I guide everyone to the table. Letting the others go ahead, I lean down to whisper in Justine’s ear. “What have you told your family?”

She stumbles and I catch her, my arm going automatically around her. “Nothing, I—”

Sally appears with another camera, circling her hand in a whirling ‘keep going’ motion.

With a sigh, I give Justine a tiny shake of my head and lead her to her chair. Anna doesn’t work nights, but it wasn’t too much trouble to phone one of my favorite local restaurants and have them arrange a few staff and some meals for us. They know I tip generously, and for a job like this last minute, I’ll pay extra.

One waiter serves drinks while another puts the finishing touches on the first course in the kitchen.

“This is all very fancy, Mr. Kernos,” Justine’s mother Silvia remarks, looking around. “But I hope you don’t mind me saying this. It’s a bit spartan in here. You don’t have any photos up on the walls or knickknacks.”

We really should have prepped the families. Only, I don’t really want the truth going any further than it has to. There’s already a huge chance this will leak. If it gets out that it’s a set up, all the good work this is supposed to do for my image will be ruined.

Justine laughs awkwardly. “Mom. Maybe not everyone likes knickknacks quite as much as you do.” She smiles at me and my mom. “Mom collects dogs.”

“Oh! That sounds noisy!” My mother can barely disguise the distaste in her voice.

Silvia’s eyes widen. “Oh, not real dogs. I only have two of those. Justine means I collect dog trinkets.”

“And by trinkets she means dog everything,” Justine confides. “A rug, a mug, a picture, a figurine, a pillow. If it has a dog on it, my mom wants it.”

“Well, what can I say? I love dogs.” Silvia gives us a grin.

Hamu clasps her hand on top of the table. “And if it makes you happy.” They give each other such a sappy look I’m forced to look away to keep my appetite. It’s definitely not because my throat chooses that moment to get all tight and scratchy.

I cough. “Happy wife, happy life, right? Or so the saying goes.” I always thought the saying referred to the hell on earth a nagging wife could become. After seeing Justine’s rapt smile at the book signing today, though, I’m having doubts.

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