A/N: Thanks for the tip Born of Stars! And thanks to everyone else who reviewed! I will try my best to make this story more enjoyable! This is going to be a Stephanie/Ranger story, so no worries. It is slow in progress but they will get together. I think this chapter is a little longer than the others so enjoy!
I looked at Mac and he seemed to be grinding his teeth together. His eyes had hardened and I think he was counting to ten. I stood up and stuck out my hand.
"It's nice to see you again… Alejandro." I said with a little sarcasm.
"A pleasure as always Stephanie." He smiled.
Alejandro is Mac's younger brother by one year and a different mother. We all went to the same college and Alejandro and I had a… disagreement one night. He thought that since I had one to many drinks that he could get lucky. I thought otherwise. We ended up getting into a knock down, drag out fight. I got in a lucky punch, but unfortunately so did he. He got a broken nose and I ended up with a black eye. He told people that I tried to 'seduce' him and he also said when he wouldn't take advantage of me that I flipped out.
When Mac found out what happened between Alejandro and I he was more than pissed. He waited till Alejandro's nose was healed, then broke it again. It's never been the same between them since. Now I wonder why he's here.
"Bastard…" I heard Mac mutter under his breath.
"Alejandro why have you decided to grace us with your presence?" I asked sweetly.
"Now that is between Marco and I." He smirked. What I wouldn't do to be able to smack that smirk right off his face.
"I think it can wait Alejandro. Can't you see I'm on a date with my girlfriend?" he asked with anger in his voice. Alejandro took his time looking me up and down. I had to suppress a shudder of disgust.
"I see you have given her the family symbols." Was it just me or did he sound a little stiff?
"I have and you will respect it." 'or else' seem to hang in the air.
"I bet you haven't told momma yet, have you?" Mac seemed to tense up and Alejandro smiled.
"Once I tell momma this is the same Stephanie Plum that tried to seduce me and broke my nose when I didn't give in…" I didn't even give him time to finish that sentence. I jumped up and yelled right in his face.
"Seduce you! Alejandro it was you who tried to take advantage of me when I was drunk! Don't even dare say otherwise! You're a dumb ass JERK!" I was gasping for air when I noticed everyone in the restaurant looking our way. I looked over at Ranger's table and saw he was standing up looking over here. The girl he was with was still sitting but looking over here as well. Alejandro was just staring at me in shock… least I hoped it was shock. I took a deep calming breath and turned towards Mac.
"Honey I think it's time to go." I said loud enough for everyone in our area to hear.
"I believe your right sugar." He stood up and wrapped his arm around my waist.
"I'm proud of you sugar." He whispered in my ear. He led me to the front of the restaurant and stopped to talk to Jean.
"Jean, put whatever we ordered on my tab." Mac said quickly. He started towards the door. I hung behind him a few minutes.
"Jean?" he looked up towards me. " I'm sorry about the scene we made tonight." His eyes seem to sparkle with something I couldn't identify.
"It is quite alright. Ms. Plum you are a decent person and not at all what I expected."
"Call me Stephanie, please. Could you do me a favor?" I had an idea so sue me.
"Of course." He said with a raised eyebrow.
"There is a young lady eating with a Mr. Mañoso. Will you please give her the best dessert on the menu? Oh, and tell them that Stephanie said every young lady deserves dessert if they are going to eat rabbit food all the time." So it was a spur of the moment idea but hey at least one of us got dessert.
"Sure, anything else?" he asked.
"Oh, how much do I owe for the dessert?" I hope its not over $20 or I'll need more cash.
"You're not going to charge it on Mr. Christor's tab?" he looked confused.
"Why would I? He has no part in what I'm doing." Although if I could charge it to him…
"Like I said before Ms. Plum… uh, Stephanie, you are not at all what I expected. Don't worry about paying for it. Consider it to be on the house." He smiled.
"Thank you so much." I leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek. He seemed to redden a little.
"I hope to see you again soon Jean. Good night." I couldn't help myself he was the sweetest old guy I've ever met.
"I assure you we will see each other again sooner than you might think. Good night Stephanie." Okay that seemed a little creepy but I smiled and walked away. I walked outside and Mac was standing by the limo waiting.
"There you are. Did you get lost?" he joked.
"No I stopped to have a little chat with Jean." He seemed to pale a little.
"Please tell me your joking."
"No I'm not. Why was it bad that I talked to him?" See this is what happens when you leave things out.
"No it's okay. This means I'm going to be talking to my mother sooner than I thought." He said on a sigh.
"You know, if you and Alejandro have a different mother then why do you call his mom yours?" I never realized this till now…huh wonder why.
"Well my real mom died at birth but Alejandro's mother always treated me like her own so I guess it just comes naturally."
"Oh." What can I say to that?
"Let's go home Steph." He seemed different… I don't know. He seemed worn down.
"Okay." He helped me slid into the limo. Maybe there's more to this than what he's telling me. I want so bad to question him, but my spidy sense is telling me to wait. Since it's never failed me before, I guess I have to wait. Only problem is I'm exactly what you call a patient person.