“And you” My mother somewhat shouts, pointing at Shane with one floury, well-worked hand, “you are taking some cookies home, and some left over Gazpacho.”

“Sure, that sounds fantastic.” Shane looks genuinely pleased and I smirk, picking my wallet off the table.

“Alright, we’re leaving mom, we’ll be back and you can feed Shane.”

“Good, you better not eat any junk, I’m making Paella.”

“No junk, mom.”

“Thank you Mrs. De La Pica.” Shane puts her hand on her stomach and gives a half bow.

My mother waves her off, “Please, honey, call me Philomena.”

“Philomena it is.”

“Alright, get out of the kitchen, both of you, it’s already so crowded.” She mumbles with a smile, shooing us out.

I love my mother. Shane’s still smiling as we leave.

After piling into Shane’s truck and making idle chit-chat we coast to Rodeo Drive, spotting a few celebrities out with their oddly-named children and scruffy husbands. We decide against Rodeo and head for the cheaper less crazy strip mall. After parking for nearly fifteen dollars we walk along, gazing at all the windows and laughing at the window displays. As we walk, Shane taps my hand with hers and takes a few of my fingers into her palm. We walk like this for a few more stores, not finding anything of interest, until we come upon a Spirits shop and enter. I explain to Shane that a bottle of really nice wine from the both of us will be really classy and she agrees.

The liquor store is crowded; apparently everyone and their brother have the same idea as us and we shuffle into the wine isle. Glancing at reds and whites at Pignot and Cabarets we come across a bottle of Pahlmeyer and quirk a brow at each other when noticing the price.

“Split it?” Shane suggests.

“Yeah, I’d say.” I grin and we make our way to the mile-long checkout line. While I’m digging for my wallet I notice a very distinct voice and look around for it.

“We cannot get them hard liquor, Dana, that’s really not cool. Gosh.”