Grant chuckled. "It's Meryn, so probably not."
Rex leaned forward, his eyes alight with laughter. "Please explain this one."
Elizabeth swirled her water-filled wine glass, and Ellie could see that Meryn's Yoda probably wished it were wine.
Rheia took mercy on Elizabeth and explained. "She calls her shifter friends on Facebook her furries. She didn't know about the sexual sub-culture it could possibly refer to."
"I need to get in on this," Rex announced.
Meryn shrugged. "You have to pass my Geek Life test. If you can, you're in."
Rex pulled out his phone. "I can do that." He started to scroll. He swallowed before looking at Aiden, then Gavriel, then Colton.
"Oh no. I know that look," Anne whispered.
Kendrick chuckled darkly. "Share with the class, Lionhart."
Rex hesitated. Aiden put his hand on Meryn's head and gently bopped her it about. "What did you do now?"
Meryn tried to get away from her mate. "Nothing! I haven't even been on Facebook today."
Rex cleared his throat. "Actually, it was Colton."
All eyes went to the blond wolf, who shrugged. "I was just being honest."
Elizabeth sat forward. "What did you do?" She dug out her phone and began to scroll. Her eyes widened, and she looked around the table. Looking down, she turned off her phone and turned to Sebastian. "I'm skipping dinner tonight. Could you please make me your Death by Chocolate Extravaganza?"
Meryn and Rheia perked up. Rheia looked at Elizabeth. "What's that?"
Sebastian's mouth was twitching. "It is how our Bethy deals with stress. Double fudge brownies are layered with peanut butter fudge sauce and chocolate ice cream. I top it with cheesecake bites and crushed Butterfingers and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups."
Rheia licked her lips. "We really should have a balanced dinner."
Anne nodded. "It would be the responsible thing to do."
"Fuck that, Sebastian, bring me two!" Meryn exclaimed, bouncing in her chair.
Sebastian gave the women an understanding look. "I will be back shortly with dessert. In the meantime, try to eat something a bit more sensible." He winked at Elizabeth and headed toward the kitchen.
Aiden paled. "It must be horrible if Beth wants chocolate. Women only want chocolate when things get really horrendous."
Rex cleared his throat. "There is a rumor going around on Facebook that your mating, along with Elizabeth's and Ellie's, are a political facade used to satisfy the older generation."
Aiden nodded. "We knew that from the other night. They think the women are in some sort of love triangle."
Rex took a deep breath and continued. "They have reason to believe that it's not just the women."
Gavriel sat forward. "What now?"
Rex kept swallowing to keep from laughing. "When the theory was brought forward on Meryn's timeline that you and Aiden could also be in a secret relationship, Colton jumped in saying how hurt he was after all the years he'd spent at Aiden's side. How if Aiden would be with anyone, it would be him."
Aiden blinked once, then twice. He stood and reached for his best friend. Colton jumped out of his chair and stood behind his mate. "Pregnant women in the room!"
"Rheia will have all the help she needs with her child after I kill you since I am their athair!" Aiden roared.
"They are doing the butt sex!" Meryn said laughing.
Aiden turned bright red. "Meryn!" He swung back to Colton and in two steps he was around the table. He reached out again and wrapped his hand around his best friend's throat before he began to throttle him.
"No...sense...of...humor..." Colton said gasping for breath.
Ellie watched the entire scene scared for the wolf shifter. She turned to Rheia only to discover that the doctor was working on eating her greens beans so that she could indulge in the chocolate.
Ellie turned to Gavriel. He met her eyes and shrugged. "It does make more sense that Colton would be his lover."
Aiden turned, Colton still dangling from his grasp and roared. "That's not the point!"
Aiden's snarl was brought up short by a tinkling, cheery sound. Colton held up a finger. "Hold. That's Penny ringtone for FaceTime."
At Penny's name Aiden released the wolf shifter. Colton ignoring his irate best friend, answered the phone. "Hello Pumpkin Dumplin', did you miss your Papa?"
"Felix?"
"Yes, he's here, I think." He looked at Meryn. "Is Felix here?" Seconds later, Ellie watched in amazement as the air around Meryn's shoulder shimmered, and a tiny, auburn haired sprite appeared.
He fluttered over to Colton and looked down. His face transformed to one of joy. "Penny!" he chirped.