He chuckled as he slung an arm loosely around her shoulders and pecked her cheek. “Because you’re Superwoman,” he said. “There aren’t many people who can do what you do. We’re not even going to try.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere—except it won’t throw me off the scent.” She eyed him shrewdly. “What are you so happy about?”

He glanced at the door as if he was afraid the teachers were about to barge through it.

“We still have ten minutes,” she told him, indicating the clock on the far wall. “You can do a lot of talking in ten minutes,” she added playfully.

He laughed again. “I’m just excited to think Seth might be able to overcome the funk he’s been in since Shiloh died.”

“That’s exciting to me, too, but that’s a pretty general statement. What are you referring to? Tia? Did I miss something?” Lord knew she’d been watching the two of them at breakfast, had definitely noticed how Seth’s eyes had followed Tia whenever they were in the same room and how protective he was of her. He’d texted before he’d brought her over to tell them not to even mention the movie, her career or the accident. He’d been very careful to lay the groundwork so she could feel comfortable and welcome.

“I can’t say too much,” Gavin said with a scowl.

“Why not?”

“Because...”

“Then, you do know something I don’t.”

His long-suffering expression suggested he couldn’t fend her off. “Yes, it is Tia, okay? I suspect Seth might like her more than just a friend. That’s all.”

A thrill shot through her. “Really?”

“Don’t take it too far,” he warned. “I’m not sure. Just seeing the right signs.”

When Seth had asked if he could bring Tia to breakfast, Aiyana had wondered if there might be something between them. But she was almost too afraid to hope. She’d been so terribly worried about this son in particular. He had such a distrust of love, and since Shiloh had died, he’d seemed to be absolutely convinced the love she’d offered was the only love he’d ever find—at least that he could rely on. “I won’t say a word to anyone,” she said. “But...what makes you think so?”

“He’s been so morose the past three years. So hard to reach. Most of the time I could hardly even get him to respond to my texts or calls.”

“It’s been that way for all of us,” Aiyana reminded him ruefully.

“But now—” Gavin’s smile returned “—he’s happier. I feel like... I feel like he’s healing and beginning to come around.”