“What?” she gasped. She smiled at him and clapped.
Of course her son would inherit her artistic ability. Vic clapped as well.
“That’s amazing. Can we come up to the school and see it?” she asked.
“Yup. Mr. Brown said he’s going to tell our parents to come and see them.” Kian took a drink of his juice then continued. “Lisa was mad that her picture didn’t get picked.”
“Oh no!” Tachina chuckled as she listen to him tell them how the young girl was mad, but her picture got picked last month. “Well, it sounds like Mr. Brown is trying to give everyone a chance to shine.”
Kian continued talking through the entire meal. They heard about music class, someone getting in trouble because of glue. His chatter was a pleasure. She needed his excitement and cheer after a rough couple of days.
By the time they’d finished dinner and cleared the dishes, she almost felt like her normal self. Vic had promisedKian they would watch a short movie since it was a school night. Kian ran ahead and shouted he was going to pick one out.
Vic took her hand and pulled her out into the hallway. They stared at each other for a brief moment.
“I’m sorry,” she blurted out.
He appeared confused. He shook his head and tugged her to him.
“You don’t need to apologize for anything.” He tipped her chin upward and covered her lips with his in the softest kiss.
She leaned into him, needing to feel his warm and his strength. He lifted his head. The look in those blue eyes of his sent a tremor down her spine.
“It is me who needs to apologize. I should have nipped some things in the bud a long time ago. I?—”
He was cut off by the sound of the doorbell.
Tachina tensed instinctively. Her heart rate spiked. A quiet sense of dread claimed her.
Vic exchanged a glance with her—almost apologetic, definitely unhappy—and walked to the door.
When he opened it, Tachina froze. Sydney stood on the porch, wrapped in an expensive coat, hair sleek, and her eyes were shining just a little too sweetly for someone casually dropping by.
“Hello, Victor.” She offered him a timid smile.
“What are you doing here?” Vic hadn’t moved, nor didhe take his hand off the door handle.
“I needed to speak with you. Privately,” Sydney emphasized. She glanced over his shoulder, her gaze landing on Tachina.
It was a test, Tachina was sure.
She didn’t flinch at all. Tachina held her ground. She belonged here, not Sydney.
“Mom! Can you come help me?” Kian came back into the hallway. His gaze flicked to Sydney then landed on Tachina. He disappeared back into the family room.
“We do need to talk,” Vic said. His tone did not hide the annoyance he must have felt. He stepped back and waved her in. “We can speak in my office.”
“Good.” Sydney nodded and came inside. She didn’t look at Tachina again, but she was all smiles for Vic.
“This won’t take long.” Vic glanced over at Tachina as Sydney walked past and down the hallway to his office.
“Okay” Tachina murmured.
He rubbed her shoulder and gave her a gentle push toward the family room. He spun on his heels and entered the office behind Sydney, then shut the door. Tachina swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth.
“Mooom!” Kian shouted again.
Tachina turned and headed into the room where Kian was waiting for her.