“Matthew, honey, welcome home!” the woman gushed. “And, Ryan, sweetheart, it’s so good to see you, too! Who are your friends?”
“My boyfriend, Luke Conner, and his foster son, Alex Beaumont,” Ryan replied. “Luke, Alex, this is my mother, Jillian. That’s my father, Robert, over there.”
“Oh, he’s so handsome,” her mother replied without bothering to lower her voice. “But you’ve always had a good eye.”
“Because looks are all that matter,” Ryan muttered. “Please don’t insult me.”
“How am I insulting you? I’m merely complimenting your good taste.”
“Why don’t you get to know him and then compliment my good taste?”
“Someone’s snippy today.”
“I’ve been up since four this morning, and I wasn’t prepared to deal with you and Dad today.”
Ryan stalked away, leaving her mother to stare after her
