But everything she’d learned about him wouldn’t allow her to walk away. He hadn’t abandoned her to her demons these past few days. He’d tried to make sure she got something to eat, encouraged her to get out and exercise. He’d even brought his mother over, thinking Aiyana might be able to help her.

What if he needed her to do the same for him, needed someone to stay and fight to get the message through that he had intrinsic value and that it went far deeper and was more fundamental than the fact that he could create beautiful art.

Taking a deep breath in case he rejected any attempt she made to help him, she followed him into the kitchen only to find that he’d thrown the coat and sweater he’d been carrying on the couch and the doors to the backyard were standing open, allowing a biting wind to sweep into the house.

“Seth?” she called as she approached the opening.

He didn’t answer, so she peered tentatively out into the yard. “Seth?”

Again, she received no response, yet she was fairly certain he could hear her. He was sitting on a chaise by the pool, staring off toward the mountains, wearing nothing but a T-shirt, jeans and tennis shoes.

What was he doing out there? It was cold, and it smelled as though it was about to rain.

Rubbing away the chill bumps standing out on her arms, she went back and pulled on his sweater before carrying his jacket outside. “Will you put this on?” she asked softly.

When she spoke, he didn’t even look over.

She touched his shoulder. “Please?”

His gaze finally shifted. She got the impression that he was fighting some internal battle and that the stakes were high.

He took the coat and put it on without saying a word, but she guessed he was only complying so that she wouldn’t continue to prod him. He didn’t seem to feel anything on the outside.

Maybe that was because he was feeling too much on the inside...

“Are you going to tell me what’s wrong?” she asked.

“It’s nothing,” he replied, his words clipped, and he once again stared off toward the mountains as though his mind was a million miles away.

He obviously expected her to accept that answer and go—and yet she couldn’t leave him like this, not knowing what she knew about him after visiting Aiyana.

Instead of pressing him to talk, she sat down behind him on the chaise.

He didn’t seem to mind her proximity, so she slid even closer, seeking the warmth of his body while trying to give him a little of hers.

When he didn’t react to that, either, she slipped her arms around his waist and held him against her.