Eighteen (18)

“Yeah,” I say, excited. Gigi speeds up to get over, and then we get stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic trying to merge onto the 91. “I’d really like that, actually.”


“I’ll pay you, of course. What do websites go for these days? Last time we redid it I think it was somewhere in the neighborhood of eight thousand dollars.”

“What?” I almost choke. “I’m pretty sure my services aren’t worth eight thousand dollars, Gigi.”

“Honey,” she says, raising an eyebrow. “Never undersell yourself. Always know your worth. And if you come out high, you can always lower your price during negotiations. But since I came in low, as a new businesswoman you will want to counter with something higher. Include a list of your talents and services. Now what are you worth?”

Is she asking me to raise the price on her?

“Shannon?”

“Yeah, OK.” I take a few seconds to collect my thoughts. “Well, I’ll do an original design that will showcase the history of the Anaheim store. Include some of those old photos you have hanging on the walls. And pictures of the family who work there, of course.” Lots of cousins work at the Anaheim store. “And you know what, Gigi? You know what you can maybe add in?” I get a little excited at this idea.

“Tell me, honey.” She’s smiling big at my enthusiasm.

“An online order form for delivery.”

“You’re a genius, Shannon.”

“Right?” I laugh. “People can pay online and stuff. Then the food just appears at their door. We can totally set that up. I’m pretty sure they have some kind of extension I could buy that will have the basics.”

“I love it,” she says.

“But I might need to hire a programmer for the custom stuff. I’m not sure I could do it all myself.”

“So true, honey. OK, you drive a hard bargain, but you’re right. You need ten thousand for that site. Deal.”

Ten thousand dollars. I’m speechless.

But I realize she’s offering me her hand to shake on the deal and I take it, leaning back into the soft leather seats, smiling. “Thank you,” I say. “I know you’re going out of your way to help me and I just want you to know, I really appreciate it.”

“You’re family, Shannon. That’s what families do for each other. And if,” she gives me a sideways glance, “you and Mateo have a disagreement, well, the job is not conditional on your relationship with him. Put a plan together and bring it to me the next time you’re in Laguna, Ok, sweetie?””

“Wow, OK. Thank you, Gigi. You have no idea how much I needed a break like this.”

“I have an idea.” She smiles to herself as we drive. “But family takes care of each other. That’s how we do and that’s how it should be.”

I bask in the glow of that little revelation and let myself daydream about Mateo. Could we really be together after all this school stuff is over? I have not thought about it. Not because I don’t want it, but because it just didn’t seem possible that he felt that way about me. He cracks jokes about serious things. And this whole Hawaii trip is kind of a big deal. But he said he didn’t want me home alone all week with Danny Alexander ready to swoop in and take his place.

Danny’s not like that though. We’re just friends. But Mateo is still possessive.

Gigi talks the rest of the drive and I mostly listen, lost in my own thoughts. Mateo is waiting for me at United arrivals curbside check-in when we pull up and he opens my door for me.

“Have fun, kids!” Gigi calls, as Mateo takes my backpack.

We wave as she drives off. “Sorry I didn’t pick you up myself. Last-minute details.” He takes in a big breath like he had a stressful day.

“You’re all ready now?” I ask.

“I think so.”

“Nervous?” I’ve never seen Mateo nervous.

“Little bit,” he says, ushering me to the porter at baggage. “You want to check that bag?”

“Sure,” I say.

He checks me in and we get our boarding passes, then proceed through security and make our way to our gate. By that time they’re already boarding the first-class passengers, so we get right in line and find our seats.

“Fancy,” I tell him, as the attendant serves us drinks and starts asking us to choose a meal off the dinner menu.

“Nothing but the best for you.”

“Speaking of the best… your mother’s car?”

“Don’t even get me started. That thing is worth a hundred and sixty thousand dollars and she drives it around like it’s a station wagon. I want to strangle her every single time she pulls up in it.”

“She must love it.”

“She does,” he says softly. “My dad gave it to her when they first met.”

“Awww.”

“He died five years ago and I think she drives it because it reminds her of their love.”

“Double awww.” I have to place my hand over my heart. “I love your mom.”

“She likes you too.”

“She hired me to redesign the Anaheim website.”

“I like web design as your career choice. You can do it from anywhere.”

“Will I need to do it from anywhere?”

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