She blinked and pulled her eyes away from Seth just as he started naming the students who’d won the art contest. “Right. Of course. Thanks.” Retying her scarf, she donned her sunglasses and felt him squeeze her forearm in a quick goodbye as she hurried out the door.

Eli was waiting for Seth when the assembly was over. “Great job,” he said as he approached. “The students loved it.”

Seth had enjoyed speaking more than he’d thought he would. After what New Horizons had done for him, it was gratifying to be able to give back. “I hope so.”

“I heard one of the kids say he couldn’t wait for your class to start.”

“Which one?” Seth asked curiously.

“Jaden Kaplan.”

“Jaden said that? I wasn’t convinced he was glad to be selected.”

“Oh, he’s glad, all right. He’s just reluctant to show it.”

“I can understand why.”

“You’re going to be good for him.”

“We’ll see.” He waved as Gavin called out a goodbye. He knew his other brother had a few things to do before heading home for Christmas Eve.

“Want to grab some lunch?” Eli asked.

Seth was too eager to get back to Tia, but he knew better than to admit that. “I need to get ready for Christmas.”

Eli blinked in surprise. “What’d you say? You’re getting ready for Christmas? What happened to giving everyone money so they can get their own present and trying to otherwise ignore the holidays?”

“I’m feeling a little more festive this year,” he said, not entirely pleased to be called out.

“Does Tia have anything to do with that?” Eli asked.

“I have the sculpture you gave me to repair,” he said instead of answering. “It’s in my car. Why don’t you walk out with me?”

“Sure. Thanks for taking care of it.”

“No problem.”

“So... Mom said you’re bringing Tia to Christmas tomorrow,” he said as they made their way to the parking lot.

“If she doesn’t change her mind.”

“I can’t believe she braved coming to the assembly today.”

“That took me by surprise, too.”

“You weren’t expecting her?”

He hadn’t asked her to come. He’d assumed there was no way she’d want to be seen in public. “No. Do you think anyone recognized her?”

“Not long after she came in, a couple of the teachers in back realized who she was.”

“Did they say anything to her?”

“No. She left before they could.”

“No doubt word of her being in town will spread through the school quickly.”

“Probably,” Eli agreed. “But Kouretas already let that cat out of the bag.”

“True.”

After they reached the Porsche, Seth got the statue from his back seat and handed it over.

“Thanks again.”

“No worries.”