“He told me he told you,” I say and she waves a hand toward me as she smiles, encouraging me to taste the sugary concoction on my spoon, so I do. It’s delicious. After I swallow, I speak again. “He’s also renting a suite in my house, if we’re going for full disclosure here.”
Terra nods. “He mentioned that too.”
“I’m sure I look highly unprofessional dating my tenant and a client’s relative. I swear this wasn’t a plan. In fact, I was purposely trying to keep my distance from him so this wouldn’t happen,” I explain.
Terra leans on the table and smiles. “As for your morals, don’t worry about that. I personally think it would be crazy to ignore a connection with someone just because they pay you rent. And I know I’m biased, but Logan is a great guy.”
“I think so too,” I admit and blush like a school girl, which makes Terra grin. I try to hide my face, and she giggles. “Can we talk work again so my face goes back to its proper color?”
“Sure. Show me what you got,” Terra says.
For the next twenty minutes, I present my ideas for their app and new website from color schemes to graphics, interface, and page-by-page content. She seems totally into it until we get to the community involvement page and then she shakes her head. “We don’t do stuff like donate to the soup kitchen or give the claw game money to Lupus to get recognition or bring in business.”
“I know that. But it’s important the world knows that you’re not just from the community, you’re an active part of it,” I tell her. “It’s not bragging, it’s just presenting the facts. In this day and age, being community-minded matters.”
“I don’t know…”
“Stan’s Seafood has a blurb on their site about how if you buy one of their t-shirts, ten percent of the profits goes to save the rain forests,” I tell her because I discovered that in my research. “Think of it this way. It shows what kind of people you are. That’s important to your brand.”
“Can I say mock it up and I’ll decide later?” Terra says, still uneasy. It might not make business sense, but I love how humble this family is. It’s so sweet.
“Okay. We can do it that way,” I nod and she signs off on everything else I presented with only small tweaks. “I want to arrange a photographer to come by and get some shots. But the photographer I have in mind is Aspen. She can’t do her detective work full-time right now because of the pregnancy and it’s her new side business – photography. It gives her a way to use all those expensive cameras and lenses she has for the detective business.”
Terra nods. “I’m cool with that.”
“I wasn’t sure because I know there’s a history there and it’s a little rocky.”
Terra smiles. “We’re paving over the drama, or at least trying. I like Aspy.”
“Me too. She’s a trip but deep down she has a good heart.”
Terra nods and pulls up the calendar on her phone. “Can I email you with the best times? It has to be when my brother Declan isn’t around. He will start acting like a damn art director or something, and I really don’t want him to know about this until it’s further along.”
I nod. “Okay. Sure. So if Logan and I hang out again, I can tell him about this project, as it progresses? That’s cool?”
“Yeah. He’s in the loop. Everyone else thinks you’re a school buddy but I’ll tell them the truth before the shoot.” Terra smiles. “In the meantime, tell Logan whatever you want. He’ll keep it from everyone, and especially Declan. Those two barely speak anyway.”
Huh. That’s a tidbit he hasn’t mentioned. I slide out of the booth. “I should get home and get cracking on this. Send me the dates that will work for the photos as soon as you can.”
“Sure thing,” Terra says as she gets up too, and as I put on my coat, I notice someone walking toward our table. I know instantly she’s Terra’s mom. They have the same tiny stature and elfish smile.
“Hi there. I’m Lucy Hawkins, Terra’s mom.” She extends her hand.
“Also the co-owner of Hawkins’ Lobster Shack and creator of almost all our recipes including this magical hot chocolate,” Terra says, beaming proudly up at her mom.
Lucy waves off the praise with one hand and takes my empty mug with the other. “She’s my favorite child.”
“She says that to each of us several times a day,” Terra informs me with a wry smile.
“I like to pass the title around,” Lucy says and then leans forward and whispers. “Are you Terra’s study buddy?”
“I am,”I also did naked things with your son last night, my inner voice adds. I extend my hand. “Chloe Hale. Nice to meet you.”
“She’s just heading out, Ma,” Terra says.
I look out the window and realize it’s snowing really hard. Big, fat, wet flakes. Ugh. I hate driving in snow.
“Do you want some chowder to go? It’s perfect on a stormy night of studying,” Lucy suggests.
