As expected, Ghost got Loretta and Becks settled with their meals and drinks before going back to get his own plate. Cross sat down next to Loretta on the other side of the table from Ranger. Ghost took his seat at the head of the table.
“This truly is lovely, Mrs. Fremont,” Toni said, picking up her fork and knife.
“Loretta, please, dear. Now, I don’t want this to turn into an inquisition-like meal, but I would like to learn more about you and your intentions towards my son.”
Ranger stifled a groan. “Ma! Can you at least let her eat before you start prying information out of her?”
But Toni put a hand on his thigh under the table. “It’s fine. I really can’t blame them,” she gestured around the table, even though it had only been his mom who spoke, “for wanting to know more about me, especially after how your last relationship ended.”
“What did Liam tell you about that?” Becks inquired, eyes flicking between the two of them.
“What was said between Liam and me is between us,” Toni informed Becks sternly. “However, I will say that I am nothing like that bitch.” Glancing at Loretta, she added, “Forgive my French.”
“In this case, I’ll allow it,” his mom said darkly. “What is it you do for a living, Toni?”
“I’m a defense attorney in town.”
“Liam said you know Sophia and Jazz?” Becks asked, taking a sip of her decaf coffee. “Did you grow up in Mount Grove?”
“Mostly,” Toni answered, cutting into her eggs Benedict. “I was born here, but from the age of two until six, I lived in Philadelphia. I went to school with Sophia, Jasmine, and Carlos, though I wasn’t exceptionally close to any of them back then. I know Carlos professionally now, and I got forcefully reacquainted with Sophia and Jasmine yesterday morning.”
“Knowing Sophia, I’m not surprised,” Becks murmured.
Their mom chuckled, having met all the ol’ ladies by now. “Do your parents still reside in Mount Grove, Toni?”
Ranger shifted slightly to press his thigh against hers under the table as he poked his fork into his eggs. Unfortunately, the question wasn’t avoidable, and it would look suspicious if they did.
“They do,” Toni answered, her voice a little duller than a minute ago. “I converted an outdoor garage into an apartment for them when I bought my house. My work schedule keeps me busy, so I don’t get to see them as often as I should.”
Ranger leaned back in his chair, picking up his coffee with one hand and draping his arm around the back of her chair with the other. He specifically kept his gaze across the table at his mom and sister.
“Well, I look forward to meeting them someday soon,” Loretta told Toni sweetly with a smile.
Toni looked down at her plate, nodding, but did not say anything more on the topic.
“Now I know my brother hasn’t been in trouble with the law recently, so I’d very much like to hear how the two of you met.”
Toni nearly spewed her bite of the Dutch pancakes across the table as she choked at the question. Ranger quickly got her a napkin while Ghost openly laughed, his first reaction to the conversation since sitting down. Like Cross, he’d been eating in silence as the women talked.
Clearing her throat, Toni took a large gulp of coffee. “I’d, uh, much rather hear about that ‘recently’ clarifier you mentioned,” she managed to say. Her voice sounded rougher than normal.
Becks smiled wickedly. “Naughty, naughty, Liam. Keeping your seedy past from your girlfriend.”
“I was fifteen,” Ranger snapped, “and Dad was teaching me a lesson. Don’t get on your high horse when I know what you did at your prom.”
“Children,” their mom said warningly, but both of them ignored her.
“Oh, please! That was completely different—and you swore you’d never bring that up again,” Becks accused, pointing a finger at him.
“I’m not the one trying to dredge up the past,” Ranger threw back at her.
Becks stuck her nose up in the air. “You know the rules. You brought a guest to the table, so it’s open season on all your most embarrassing moments.”
“Oh, really? And does your husband know how old you were when you stopped believing in Santa Claus?”
“Liam!” their mom scolded warningly, but was again ignored.
Becks’ cheeks brightened as Ghost lifted a ginger eyebrow. “I would very much like to know the answer to that question.”
