Page 68 of Show Off

Clever exit strategy on Mari’s part, but Mom makes a face. “Don’t start with that ‘grandma’ silliness, Marilyn.” Mom toys with her hair, making sure we admire her new extensions. “I expect all my grandchildren—present and future—to call me Gigi.”

“Will do!” Mari smiles brightly as Lauren kicks her outside the frame. At Taylor’s birthday bash, I heard Gabe coaching his son to say “granny.”

We’re almost off the call, but nope! Mom’s not done yet. “Wait just a minute, young lady.”

I glance at my sisters. Who’s in trouble now?

“You, Lana Jean.” Mom tries to frown again. “Is there something going on with this chef fellow?”

Stifling a groan, I shift to spin mode. “We’re crafting Chef Yang’s storyline to focus on?—”

“Because he seemed like a very angry young man in the season finale.” Mom gives an Oscar-worthy shudder. “I didn’t like the way he yelled at that reporter. It’s just bad PR.”

I’ve seen Mom dress down a waiter for using red wine vinegar instead of balsamic for the dressing she gets on the side and never uses, but why split hairs? “It’s part of the show, Mom.” I’m doing my best to sound chipper. “Just doing my job.”

“Hmph.” That doesn’t seem to satisfy her. “Call me later, sweetheart. I’d like your opinion on my gown for the Australian Film Institute Gala.”

That’s a lie and I know it. Mom’s not attending this year.

Which means she wants to talk to me alone.Goddammit.

“Will do!” I reply, because what else can I say?

“Gotta go, Mom.” Lauren’s turn to try to end the call. “I’m filming a segment with the angry young man’s brother.”

Mom cocks her head. “The fellow in the wheelchair?”

“Ji-Hoon has a date.” Lauren’s off the couch and grabbing her purse. I know damn well she isn’t filming until two, but I’ll take the excuse.

“Wait,” Mom says, not ready to let us go. “He’s notdriving,is he?”

Her tone suggests Ji-Hoon should run all his life plans past her, but Lauren’s unfazed. “Yep! He’s got a car with adaptive controls and a healthy sex life like the rest of us. Bye, Mom!”

Mari clicks off before our mother gets a chance to protest. I let out a long, slow breath as Lauren pats my back. “Sorry you’re stuck with gown duty this time.”

Juggling her son, Mari gets to her feet. “Just pick whichever one makes her look thinnest. That’s what she wants, anyway.”

“I know.” Like I haven’t spent my whole life tiptoeing around our mother’s ego. I look at Lauren. “Ji-Hoon’s letting you film his date?”

“Not the date, per se.” She slings her purse over one shoulder. “The lead-up to it and a few canned shots of the two of them together.”

“Backlit for privacy,” Mari adds. “We won’t show her face. Not unless things turn serious, and they both sign off on it.”

I think about Cherri Chiffon and her quest for fame on Dal’s coattails. “You’ve checked her out?”

“Ji-Hoon’s date?” Lauren nods. “Nick knows Rosa Pato from Denver. In addition to being a world-class activist for individuals experiencing disability, she’s also a kickass interior designer.”

Mari takes it from there. “Her older brother suffered a spinal injury when they were kids and passed away a few years ago. She saw Ji-Hoon on the show and developed a crush.”

“And then she slid into his DMs,” Lauren adds. “They chatted for months before meeting at a charity event.”

“She ticks all the boxes for being a good human,” Mari concludes. “Plus, her last name means ‘duck’ in Spanish, which I think is just adorable.”

Most of that I knew, but I file the info away in my head. “I hope it works out.” I’m not sure if I mean the date or the relationship overall.

“Her background check is clear,” Mari assures me. “And Ponderosa Resort is super-accessible, so?—”

“Dal shouldn’t worry.” I’m pretty sure that’s what they’re getting at. “I’ll reassure him if it comes up.”

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