Eighteen: 18

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?”

“We won’t know until I’m done with my defense, I guess.”

We. God, maybe Gigi was right? Maybe he’s really planning on us being together after this is over?

“I’ve got a lot of institutions interested in my project, but no buyers yet. Hopefully that will change tomorrow.” He’s holding my hand and he brings it to his lips and kisses it. And then he gives me a sheepish smile that is so different from the man who usually has me sucking his dick in his kitchen while talking triangles.

“You’re gonna do great,” I say. “You’re gonna wow the fuck out of those Hawaiian nerds.”

His face lights up with amusement. “That’s why I love you, Shannon. You always know how to make things right.”

“Aww. You’re a romantic like your dad.” I giggle.

“I did learn from the best.” He leans over and kisses my lips. It’s one of those long, slow ones. He doesn’t break away until he’s good and finished, even when the attendant stands there asking for our empty drink cups so we can take off. “I know how to treat a woman, Shannon. So far we’ve done the ‘getting to know you’ stuff, but the ‘we’re in it together’ stuff is yet to come. So get ready.”

I stare at him, my mouth probably hanging open. “I’m ready.”

“Finally.” He chuckles and hands our empty cups to the waiting attendant.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

He wasn’t kidding. He does know how to treat a woman. There’s a chauffeur waiting for us in Hilo after we get our bags and the whole drive to the hotel, I am jittery with anticipation. The closer we get to the ocean, the more I realize that this is not just a trip. This is a milestone in our relationship.

The Four Seasons Hotel in Kailua-Kona is a long drive. An hour and a half from the astronomy center. And if that little fact wasn’t enough to convince me this trip is about us, then the romantic ocean-front room is. Mateo tips the bell boy as I stand out on the terrace. Waves are crashing not fifty feet from me. The beach looks perfect, and the sun is just about to rise, so it lights up the west with a haze of pink and orange. I know we have a big day, but I can’t stop myself.

As soon as the bell boy leaves I turn to Mateo. “We need to swim! Now!”

He laughs. “You act like you’ve never seen a beach before.”

“I don’t even know what to say about this, Mateo. Really, I had no idea you had this kind of money.”

He comes up behind me and wraps his arms around me. “Does it bother you?”

“Are you kidding?” I giggle. “No. But I know this is special. I won’t expect this kind of luxury every time we go somewhere.”

“Why not?” he asks. “That’s what money is for.”