“Any questions?” I asked, trying to get her out of her mutism. It worked. “Yes! For food’s sake yes, I have a million of them! But let’s start with one. You’ve been watching over me? Like, forever?”

I looked at Jo, hoping against hope she’d come to my rescue. She smirked and shook her head. I was on my own with this one.

“Let me start at the beginning. Josephine and I work at HEA Ltd. Agency, a fairy godmother company. People come to us to find their Happy Ever After, for them or their loved ones. When you were little, your mother came to us, so that we’d protect you and help you find your HEA. I had the privilege of being assigned as your fairy godmother. I’ve been looking after you ever since, with Liliane’s help.”

August laughed. “Great job you’ve done, no offense.” Once again I let the insult slide. This girl had been through a lot. “You never saved me, not from my dad, not from my boyfriend. So what the hell are you good for?”

I sighed. “And where do you think that big mouth comes from? That educated, sharp mind? That ability to survive everything thrown your way? I couldn’t do much, but I could do that much at least. Give you the people and the tools to get yourself out of these tough situations. I never expected for you to fall for a guy like that one, though. That’s completely on you.”

Jo hid a laugh behind a cough. August inhaled in shock. I sipped more coffee. I knew that girl, even if she’d never met me. A soft attitude wouldn’t work, she was too used to brute force.

“So, now that you have all the background, any other questions?” I asked, trying not to look smug.

She wiped the smile off my face with a single sentence. “What the fuck do we do now?” I had no immediate answer. I turned to Jo, who shook her head again. She was as lost as I was.

Deep breath, sip of coffee. Think fast, Tina. “Okay. Okay, here’s what we’re gonna do. First you’re gonna drop that boyfriend of yours before I turn him into a harmless snake. Second, you’re gonna stay at my place or somewhere safe for a little while. Call your mother, tell her you’re staying with Tina. She knows me. Then, we’ll come up with a proper plan for the rest of your life. How’s that?”

Slowly, very slowly, she nodded. “I’ll need clothes though. No offense but I don’t think yours are my size. Or style.”

I laughed “we’ll go shopping tomorrow, on the boss’ dime!” I could hear Josephine’s teeth grinding, but she had no choice now. And besides, we had a special fund for situations that required it, and this situation very much did.

With that solved, I checked the time. The meeting was happening in an hour. “Ladies, I have somewhere to be. Can I leave you two alone here?”