“Hey, hon. I see you brought friends.”
“I didn’t bring them.” A resigned look on his face, Thor stepped forward, kissed Samantha on the lips. “They invited themselves.”
“We’re not his friends, honey,” said the gorgeous blonde. “We’re family.”
The woman with long, dark hair laughed. “A dysfunctional family.”
Smiling, the redhead held out her hand. “I’m Elizabeth Shields.”
Samantha stared at her, taken aback. “Elizabeth, I’m so happy to meet you at last. Thank you for all you did for Patty—and for me.”
“I wish I’d done more.”
Samantha knew immediately who the other women must be. She shook each of their hands in turn. “You’re Holly Andris.”
“I’ve wanted to meet you for months, but Thor kept you to himself,” Holly said. “He told us you were brilliant. He wasn’t exaggerating.”
“Thank you. That’s sweet of you to say. And you’re Gabriela Marquez Cruz.”
Gabriela took her hand. “Thanks for the lecture. I learned so much.”
“You’re welcome. I’m glad you came. I’ve wanted to meet all of you, too. Thor has told me about the three of you.”
Holly gave Thor a playful jab with her elbow. “Really? What did he say?”
Samantha lowered her voice. “I don’t think we can talk about that here.”
They laughed as if she’d said something funny.
“It’s okay, Samantha,” Holly said. “Yes, we all worked for the Agency.”
Samantha had to say it. “He’s right. You don’t look like spies.”
That made them laugh again.
Holly leaned closer. “You don’t look like a badass astrophysicist who once stabbed a murdering bastard in the face.”
It shouldn’t have made Samantha laugh, but it did, something about the way Holly said it making her feel like part of their kick-butt sisterhood. “Thank you.”
Thor put his arm around Samantha’s shoulders. “Samantha needs to get to the reception. Are you three coming?”
“Is there food and alcohol?” Elizabeth asked.
Samantha nodded. “Appetizers and a cash bar.”
“We’re in,” Holly said.
Samantha led them up the stairs to a reception hall, where one of the campus kitchens had catered refreshments. “That looks so good.”
She’d been too nervous to eat before the lecture, so she was starving.
Hors d’oeuvres. Cheese. Pastries. A cake.
“Do you want a glass of wine?” Thor asked.
“That would be wonderful. Chardonnay, if they have it.”
Thor walked to the bar, Elizabeth, Holly, and Gabriela behind him.