AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She shrugged and said, “You never asked.”
He leaned over and brus
hed his mouth against hers, then said, “Sexy.”
Chapter 15
Over the next two weeks, her ankle started to feel better. She had been able to lose the crutches and was almost back to normal by the time the arranged photo shoot happened. They had pushed San Diego back a week, so she’d gotten her two weeks of cooking.
Sunday was Evan’s only day off, so they’d arranged for everyone to meet. There was a semi-secluded spot on the beach that they all used to go as children that Evan had suggested.
She’d gotten Gene’s wife, Paula, to come and take the pictures. She owned a small portrait studio in Culver City. She had been absolutely delighted, according to Gene, to come and take the picture despite the really short notice.
Taryn watched as Paula organized everyone together like a general. She apparently knew exactly what she wanted and would accept nothing less than that. The last of his family stood there near her, waiting to be placed.
When Evan said, “You realize, you’re gonna be in this picture, too.” She shook her head.
“No. It’s a family picture,” she said. “Not gonna happen.”
He said, “Baby. This entire thing was your idea. You need to be in the picture.”
“It's a family picture. Your mom isn't going to want some random chick in her family photo, Evan,” Taryn protested.
Maureen snorted and said, “Taryn. My mom is gonna kick your ass when I tell her you refused to be in the picture. Do you really want to upset my mom?”
She gave her the same steady gaze that Evan did when he knew he was right and was just waiting for her to admit it. Taryn sighed when she turned and saw that Donnie and Patty were giving her the same look.
“Jesus,” she said. “You people all have that same look. I just feel weird. It’s a family thing.”
Maureen gave her arm a squeeze and said, “You’re honorary. You need to be in the picture.”
“Fine, fine,” she said. “I’ll be in the picture. It’s still weird.”
Evan shook his head and said, “No, it isn’t. It was your idea. This is the best possible gift you could have come up with. You belong in the picture.”
“Mmkay,” she said, still doubtful.
Taryn couldn't remember the last time she had been involved in a family anything and she didn't feel entirely comfortable with this. Clearly she had been overruled, though.
Paula had taken several shots of them and promised to e-mail them over to Taryn once she’d picked out the best of them. She’d thanked her and taken a business card. She doubted she’d be in need of much photography work, but she’d happily recommend her to anyone who was.
Several hugs and kisses later, the family had all piled back into their cars and gone their separate ways. They really were an incredible bunch of people.
On the way back home, they stopped to have a late lunch at a little Italian place on the beach. While they waited for their food, Evan said, “My mom is going to love the picture. Thank you for being in it.”
“I still feel like that’s weird,” she said.
He just rolled his eyes and said, “She’s going to love it.”
“She seems to be really into her family. I thought it would be a nice gift,” she said.
He casually tore a hunk of bread off and dipped it in the oil and vinegar mixture then said, “Gonna go get your present next week since you’re going to San Diego.”
They’d discussed present exchanging at great length. She had initially been against the idea but when he told her he was getting her something, regardless, she’d caved.
Once she thought about it, though, she had come up with a great idea. She’d talked to a botanist at the zoo. She had asked him for a species of orchid that would grow well in a greenhouse here. Something really out of the ordinary. He’d recommended a reliable source and something he guaranteed would blow Evan away.
She’d called the woman, who had been really nice considering she didn’t know anything at all about orchids, and placed the order. She was assured it would be delivered the Monday after she got back from San Diego. She didn’t want to leave something like that sitting in a box, so she’d arranged to take the day off.
