Page 71 of Wicked Design
Footfalls sounded on the other end then her father’s voice. “Did I come back too soon?”
“I’m talking to Clover. Go do your paperwork. I’ll call you when your pancakes are ready.”
Her father called out, “Hey, sweetie!”
Clover shouted back, “Hi, Dad!”
Her mother got back on the phone. “I’m not being sentimental or romantic here, but the glow between your dad and I never wore off. He never canceled, either.”
Clover could have lived without those answers. “He wasn’t worried about his art career like Van Gogh is. He’s struggled so long. This might be his big break. These jerks might introduce him to someone who’ll want his artwork. I’m making too much of him being with them instead of me, aren’t I?”
“What do you think?”
She wanted to scream. “I don’t know. That’s why I’m asking you. So am I?”
“Not if you’re sad and confused, which you are. I hear it in your voice. Have you talked to him about how you feel?”
She ripped a bow from the comforter and tossed it on the nightstand next to the one Van Gogh had torn off weeks ago.
No, she hadn’t told him how she felt. She’d been a wuss and was ashamed to admit it to her mom, but didn’t want to keep anything back and confessed the sorry truth. “I know, I know. I’m hopeless.”
“You’re human, nothing wrong with that. However, holding back with him is not the Clover I know. What are you afraid of, honey?”
“Being too needy. That’s not me, either.”
“Who said you’re like that? There’s nothing wrong with you expecting him to treat you with respect and to show up when he says he’s going to. That’s simply being decent on his part. It’s not like you’re sitting around waiting for him to call without anything else to do. Are you?”
“Of course not.” She wasn’t that bad yet and hoped she never would be no matter how much she wanted him.
“You’ve said his career is important, but so is yours. Does he discuss your jewelry with you?”
“He gave me some great ideas for this new design I have in the works.” She hadn’t told her folks about the Clover Cuffs, either, wanting to wait until they were finished to wow them.
“Was that before he took off to be with these other people?”
“Yeah. When we first met.” He hadn’t mentioned her jewelry in what seemed like forever. “He’s been busy since then.”
“Sounds like it. Honey, you know I’d never tell you what to do. You’re a bright young woman, and I trust your judgment. However, if he can’t be there for you as you’ve been for him, then you two going out together—when he finally gets around to it—isn’t what you need. You’re beautiful, talented, and a wonderful person. You deserve the best.”
Spoken like a mother. “He’s not a bad guy, Mom.” She shouldn’t have called and given her the wrong impression. “He’s just being pulled in too many directions.”
“I understand, but are you on his map?”
She hadn’t been lately, and that had to change. Her mother was right about that. “He’s taking me to dinner at Castillo’s tomorrow night. We can talk then. I’m going to be upfront and tell him how I feel about being ditched repeatedly for these other people. Work is important, but like you said, it shouldn’t be everything. I have to be in there someplace, too. Thanks for listening to me bitch and moan. I have to go now. Say bye to Dad.”
She killed the call.
Her phone rang. Van Gogh. Good timing. Clover wanted this over with so they could move on to the next hurdle in their relationship, whatever it might be. “Hey. What time are you picking me up for dinner at Castillo’s tomorrow?”
“Ah, we’ll have to make it next week, all right? Tuesday. Just a few days away.”
She slumped then straightened, not wanting to wait any longer to settle this. “Do you have time to talk now?”
“Sorry, no. My client just arrived. I’ll call you later. Castillo’s is going to be great.”
Before she could comment, he ended the call.
…
