Tia set her cup and saucer on the coffee table. She didn’t want Aiyana to regret accepting her visit by overstaying her welcome. “I’d better go so you can get on with your evening. But thanks for having me. I just...wanted to get out of the house and didn’t know where else to go.”

“You can always come here.”

That sounded so sincere it helped soothed the rawness inside her. “Thank you.”

“Before you go, did Seth tell you that there’s a man in town who’s looking for you?”

“He did. If I’m lucky, the guy will give up after a few days and go back to LA or wherever he’s from.”

“Fingers crossed there. But...have you ever thought about... Never mind.” She waved her words away. “I’m sure you know what’s best.”

“What were you going to say?” Tia pressed.

“It would be hard to even consider this, but...what if you provided a picture to the tabloids yourself? They’re going to get one eventually, you know. Why let them make a prisoner of you—to the point you feel you can’t even go out of the house? If you provide the picture, you might be able to get something for it, some amount of money that would help compensate for what you’ve been through—not that money ever could, but you have to admit it would be better than nothing—and then you’ll be able to dictate what picture is used.”

“I’ve considered it,” Tia admitted. Lord knew she could use the money. She had to support herself somehow after her savings dried up. She’d be smart to make the most of the fame she had. But she couldn’t bring herself to do it right now, not at Christmas. “I’m just not ready yet.”

“I understand,” Aiyana said, as if that was that, and stood up.

Tia and Aiyana were almost to the door when it burst open, and Eli walked in. He was already yelling “Mom!” and barely managed to stop before crashing into them.

“Whoops! Sorry,” he said. “Hi, Tia.”

Eli was almost as handsome as Seth—but not quite. Tia was beginning to believe there wasn’t another man out there as handsome as Seth, which was almost as concerning as how much she’d liked that kiss in the pool. “Hello.”

He looked around the living room. “Where’s Seth?”

“It’s just me.”

He didn’t act as though that was odd, didn’t even ask how she knew Aiyana. He was probably used to strangers seeking his mother out, because she offered so much love and support to everyone.

“He told you about that guy at the bar last night, right?” Eli said.

“He did,” Tia replied. “You don’t happen to have any idea of where Mr. Kouretas might be staying, do you?”