Sweetheart Deal by Linda Joffe Hull Page A

it out of the shop, the vendor had, of course, accepted her new price. The camera rolled as she turned back to finalize the transaction.
    â€œJust as a note, backing out of a sale once a price has been accepted is considered extremely rude.”
    As I wrapped up by explaining that bargaining is truly a cultural experience and that one shouldn’t deny a vendor the chance to show off his or her bargaining skills, the owner of the leather store came over to me.
    â€œ Gracias Señora . It is most helpful and enjoyable to have tourists who understand the way things are done here.”
    â€œ De nada ,” I said, distracted by a flash of red from just outside the store. I looked to see if Sombrero Lady had chanced by again, but it was, as I’d just said, nothing.
    â€œI imagine it was a relief to get away from the Hacienda de la Fortuna for the afternoon,” he said shaking his head. “Awful.”
    â€œYou heard about what happened?”
    â€œMy sister works up at the resort.”
    â€œWe came into town to give everyone a break from dealing with guests so they could mourn privately.”
    â€œTequila.” He shook his head once more. “It’s the devil’s drink.”

    â€œThe store owners were all so nice,” I said, over guacamole, chips, and the cold cerveza I’d ordered in lieu of anything containing tequila. “The man in the leather place actually thanked me for taping in his store.”
    â€œThey seem to love having your show down here, Mrs. Frugalicious,” Liam, whom FJ and Trent had invited to sit with us, said.
    â€œEveryone loves their fifteen minutes of fame,” Frank said, pointedly not looking in Liam’s direction.
    â€œThe exposure has to be good for their business too,” I said, giving Frank a warning stare and noting that Hair, Face, and Body were seated right in front of the camera assigned to do random shots (as it were) from inside the cantina while the entire wedding party enjoyed tapas, cocktails, and some decidedly loud 1980s pop music.
    The waitress came by to offer refills.
    â€œAny reason why we can’t, you know, enjoy a local cerveza in the company of our parents?” Trent suggested with a little wink. “I’m technically almost old enough down here.”
    Frank winked back. “Nice try.”
    â€œEspecially since he doesn’t even like the taste of beer,” FJ said.
    â€œOh but he definitely needs a prop to attempt and fail to meet girls in a real live bar,” Eloise added.
    Trent smiled. “ Me encantan las señoritas .”
    â€œAtta boy,” Frank said too loudly, patting both boys on the back and pretending to push his beer in Trent’s direction.
    â€œNeed I remind everyone we’re shooting a family show that takes place in the States, where you’re not even close to technically old enough?”
    â€œI wish we didn’t have to stay here until eight,” Eloise, who was of legal age in Mexico, sighed. “With everything that’s going on, I don’t know when I can see Ivan, except for tonight.”
    â€œHow do you know he’s available tonight?” Frank asked.
    â€œHe’s been texting me,” she said, unable to contain her smile.
    â€œYou are aware that we don’t have an international data plan, right?” I asked.
    â€œMy bad,” she said, with a giggle. “I’ll pay the extra charges.”
    The boys rolled their eyes once again at their sister and the knowledge that Frank, who had a notorious soft spot where his daughter and her expenses were concerned, would forget about her financial misdeed as soon as it was time to put the monthly check into her account.
    Not wanting to play wicked stepmom and chime in, nor further condone Eloise’s ability to wrap Frank around her finger, I excused myself and headed to the ladies’ room.
    â€œI gotta go too,” Eloise said over the beginning bars of