1022 Evergreen Place - Debbie Macomber [106]
Her mother liked her new hairstyle, too, although she seemed reluctant to say much. That was understandable.
For a long time after her father died, Tanni didn’t want her mother to comment on anything to do with what she wore or how she looked. That wasn’t the case now; their relationship was a lot more comfortable these days, a lot closer. Tanni wasn’t sure what, exactly, was different but she suspected it had more to do with her than with her mother.
“It’s going,” she said flippantly, answering his question.
Shaw shifted his position and leaned forward. “You look great.”
“You, too,” she said curtly. When they’d first started going out, Shaw used to wear dark clothes, the same as her. He had on blue jeans and an artsy T-shirt now.
“School’s going really well,” he said, and seemed to want her to comment.
She didn’t.
“Come on, Tanni, if you’re mad, fine, but get over it.”
“I’m not angry.” Okay, so that wasn’t entirely true. But Kristen had helped her cope with those negative feelings. They’d talked at length about how to end a relationship properly, and Tanni had absorbed every word.
“If you’re not mad, then why aren’t you talking to me?”
“I really don’t have anything to say.”
“Sure you do,” he said. “I know I do. I’ve missed you.”
That wasn’t the impression he’d given her after he got to San Francisco. He’d made it seem as if he was far too busy to bother with her. She could remind him of the grief and frustration he’d caused her, but then decided that was exactly what she shouldn’t do.
“How long will you be in town?” she asked instead.
“I’m here over the weekend.”
“That’ll give you time to see your friends,” she said, folding her arms.
“The only person I want to see is you.”
Yeah, right.
“And Will Jefferson,” Shaw added. “I want to thank him. I owe him big-time.”
“What about my mother?” she asked, unable to disguise her irritation. Shirley had been just as instrumental in getting Shaw into art school as Will Jefferson and Larry Knight. Her mother was the one who’d put everything in motion.
“Of course.” Shaw was quick to make amends. “I’d never have made it into art school if it hadn’t been for your mom.”
“How are things with your family?” she asked after an awkward pause. From the very beginning, Shaw’s father had been against his becoming an artist. He’d wanted Shaw to attend law school. It’d taken real courage for Shaw to stand up to his father and live his own life.
“Much better,” Shaw said. He seemed pleased to be able to say it. “Mom’s proud of the fact that I’m attending on a full scholarship, and Dad’s actually coming around. I’ve emailed them some of my work and I keep in touch. I’ll be with the family tonight for this big dinner Mom’s cooking.”
Tanni thought that was a good idea.
“Would you like to drop by Will Jefferson’s place with me?” he asked.
Apparently Shaw could tell that she wouldn’t be having any cozy chats with him.
“I don’t have any other plans for a while,” Tanni said, keeping her voice casual. “I can drive.”
His eyes widened. “When did you get your license?”
She’d texted him the day she’d passed her driver’s test. Obviously he hadn’t taken the trouble to read it. Rather than berate him, or remind him that he should know, she shrugged. “A while back.”
“Hey, it’s great that you’ve got wheels,” he said enthusiastically.
Again, she pretended it was no big deal, but in actuality her whole life had undergone a transformation. Now that she had her license, she felt a new sense of freedom and independence. She felt like an adult.
They left the house, and during the short drive to the gallery, Shaw dominated the conversation, acting as if hardly anything had changed between them. He was animated, telling her tale after tale of friends he’d made in art school. He didn’t seem to notice that she said