37. Leif
37
Mason, Claire and I made 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.
I place a kiss on Claire’s cheek then step back into the crowd, letting her take this moment for herself.
It’s her hard work that got her here. Her dream. I’m just a loyal follower.
“Thank you everyone for being here tonight to celebrate the opening of my salon, Parlour Tricks Beauty.” The room erupts in steady applause. “I would like to take the opportunity to personally thank my mother for teaching me the strength and power that comes with owning your femininity.”
I search around the room and find my mum standing with Margot, their linked arms making me chuckle.
“My best friend, Lex, for being my faith and logic every step of the way. You have been all the best parts of my life for ten years now and I am so grateful to you.
“To the team at Connors Construction, my site supervisor, Westley Andrews, and my architect, Tristan Ames, for making my vision turn into a real tangible thing. This beautiful space that we’re standing in now is thanks to their patience in taking my direction.
“And finally, to Leif Connors.” My heart pounds as her eyes find mine. “You kinda pissed me off at the start,” she says, making the room laugh until the world fades away and all I see, all I hear, is her.
“You challenged me at every point, questioning my decisions, and at first, I thought, does he think I don’t know what I’m doing?” More light laughter fills the room. “Then I realised, or was told, I can’t remember how exactly it happened,” she smiles, throwing a wink at Westley, “that you weren’t doubting me. You were guiding me. Making me step up and be confident in my decisions, which will serve me well as a business owner. I can see that’s how you earned the respect of your team. Even if you’re wrong, there’s nothing that can’t be fixed, that can’t be redeemed. Maybe the course is different from what you expected, but the outcome is still the same. Or sometimes, it works out better than you planned. You never told me I couldn’t. In fact, I felt more determined and unstoppable with you yapping in my ear. I’m glad it’s something I don’t have to give up. Even though Connors Construction has officially finished working here, you and I are just beginning.”