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.My dad’s secretary, Angie, shows me into his office where they’re both waiting for me.“Wait, are you Scott? My brother? I think it’s you but between your computer and your girlfriend, I haven’t seen you in a long time,” Ryan jokes.“Shut up smart ass.We just had dinner with everyone last night.” I punch him in the arm which hurts me more than him.Damn, my brother is built.All that construction work he did for a few years hasn’t worn off, I guess.“I know but I had to give you shit.I’ve never seen you this way before.It’s actually pretty cool.Yasmin’s pretty cool.”“Yeah, she is.She’s also the reason that I wanted to talk to you guys today.”“Is everything alright with her, son?” My dad asks, concerned.My mom and he have really taken to Yasmin and I know they think of her as part of the family already.“I don’t think so,” I tell them honestly, pulling on my lip ring with my teeth.“I don’t think the bookstore is doing well.She doesn’t really talk about it with me.I offered her money but she said no.So, I have another idea to help her.”“My opinion of her just increased.I knew she was a good person, but to refuse your money when your relationship is so new and you seem to think that she needs it, just tells me how good she is.You want to give her the program don’t you?” Ryan says.I look at them both and sigh.“Yes.I know we lowered the price for independent bookstores and agreed to give it to them early but I’m not sure that she can afford it, even at the lower price.” I take a deep breath and continue.“I will have it done in two weeks.I would like to give it to her then, before everyone else.”I wait anxiously until my dad speaks.“I wish we could, son.But, we can’t show blatant favoritism like that.I am perfectly fine with you giving her it for free, though.That is you giving a gift to your girlfriend.” Ryan nods his agreement.“Thanks, guys.I knew giving it to her early was a long shot.And, I can pay the fee for the program myself if that would look better.”“No, it’s fine.You created it and you should be able to have at least one free copy,” Ryan says.“I just had a thought.We’re having that joint birthday and project completion party for you in three weeks.Why don’t you give it to her then if it’s done? If you ask her not to use it yet, I’m sure that she’ll agree.Do you think she will agree to the program if she wouldn’t take your money?” my dad asks.“Yeah, I could do that.That would be cool.She is the best present I’ve ever gotten.I hope that she’ll take it.I haven’t talked to her about it.She is not very computer savvy.Do you think Mom would be okay with me inviting her friends that she works with and maybe her other friend, Candi?”“Are you kidding? You know that your mom loves entertaining, as long as it’s casual and not our business associates.”“Cool, I’ll call and tell her.Thanks again guys.”* * *YasI had my meetings with the bank and the private investors.They didn’t go well.It looks like I may have to get a second mortgage after all.Erika and Sam convinced me that I should go that route instead of just selling the house.A part of me thinks that I should’ve taken Scott up on his offer, but I know that I made the right decision by saying no to his money.Things are going so well with him.He did what he promised and took me to his house.It’s nice to be able to stay over there when we have dinner with his family instead of driving back to my place.His deadline for the project that he’s working on is coming up fast too, so it is easier for him to already be at his place.And next week will be the party to celebrate the completion of his project along with his birthday.“I can’t believe that I finally get to meet this mystery man of yours,” Erika tells me as she comes in to work.“He’s not a mystery, Sam has met him.You just keep missing him.”“I have and he’s pretty hot,” Sam says as she comes out of the back after her shift is over.“Speaking of hot, why are you taking this Justin guy to the party instead of putting Danny out of misery and going with him?” I ask her.“Danny doesn’t like me like that.”“Oh, yes, he does,” Erika tells her.“You just never give him a chance.You always find these jerk guys to date instead.”“Justin is not a jerk!”“Umm, yeah he is.”“Let’s just agree to disagree about Justin,” I say before they start fighting and scare away the few customers that we have in the store.“But I do wish that you would give Danny a chance.A good guy is not a bad thing.”“I’ll think about it,” she tells me and then hugs us goodbye [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]