“I think I’ve upset this woman,” Eli began. “We slept together, and now she doesn’t want to know me.”

Mark laughed. “Was it that bad for her, then?”

Eli scowled. “There were no complaints at the time.” It had been indescribably good for him. Surely, it had been the same for her too. While she might say she didn’t want him, her body sent a very different message. Lack of chemistry certainly wasn’t the problem.

“Tell me about her.”

How best to describe her? He didn’t want to outright admit to Mark that he’d been correct in assuming Eli was interested in Aria for more than her connection with Teri. “She’s bossy and sweet and quirky,” he said.

“Interesting. What does she do for a living?”

Busted. “She’s a journalist.”

“Ah, the reporter you asked me to look into. I thought as much. I have the information you requested.”

“Thanks,” Eli said, wondering if his friend had found anything.

“She’s pretty,” Mark added.

“She’s mine,” Eli snapped. He couldn’t help it. Even if no one else realized it yet, and even if only for a short time, she was his. Pity she was the type who would want children. If he thought she’d be happy remaining childless forever, then he could imagine spending his life with her. She was unusual and passionate, and she’d be able to keep him on his toes. Unfortunately, she seemed to have those pesky maternal instincts, which made her perfect for helping with Teri but totally unsuitable for being his partner. He and Aria would have to go their separate ways at some point, but he wasn’t ready for it to happen yet.

“Of course,” Mark murmured. “Do you know what I found?”

“Probably not much,” Eli guessed. “She seems like a straight arrow.”

“Not quite.”

The tone of Mark’s voice made him uneasy. “What did you find?”

“Your lady friend worked at the Press in Christchurch until a year ago, when rumor has it she slept with the boss to get a promotion.”

Eli shook his head emphatically, forgetting Mark couldn’t see him. “I don’t believe it.”

“The co-worker I spoke to was convinced of it.”

It couldn’t be true. Aria wasn’t the type. “That’s not the woman I know.”

“It might not be who she is now, but I’m telling you that’s who she was. Are you sure this girl isn’t using you?”

Eli stopped to think about it. What would Aria gain by sleeping with him, then pushing him away? Nothing. And besides, what they had between them was too special. It couldn’t be fake. “She’s not.”

“If you say so.” Mark clearly didn’t believe it. “Tell me more about her.”

Eli shook his head, trying to erase the accusation against Aria from his mind. “She has two brothers.”

“Uh-oh.”