“I thought I’d take you to Scoma’s on the wharf. It’s where Boudin started—if you’ve heard of that restaurant.”

“I haven’t.”

“They’re famous for their crusty sourdough bread.”

“I love sourdough bread.”

“Me, too. Scoma’s isn’t overly fancy, but it’s been around since the midsixties, and the food is consistently delicious. Do you like scallops?”

“Sometimes. Depends on how they’re cooked.”

“You have to try them at Scoma’s. The shrimp pasta, too.”

“I’m down for that.”

He turned toward the water. “Are you afraid of being recognized? Would you prefer we get it to go so that we can eat on the wharf?”

She didn’t look too pleased with that suggestion. “It’s pretty cold outside.”

“We could eat in the truck.”

“On New Year’s Eve?”

“I’m willing to do whatever makes you comfortable.”

She frowned at her jeans. “Am I dressed nice enough for indoor dining?”

They’d chosen to be comfortable for the long drive. “We might be slightly underdressed but only because it’s New Year’s. The restaurant is more about the fresh seafood it serves than the ambience. It’s very casual.”

“Then, let’s risk it,” she said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been out to eat.”

“Okay,” he said and took her hand.

Seth was right about Scoma’s. Tia didn’t feel out of place, and if the host who’d seated them recognized her, he didn’t let on. He was an older gentleman—not part of the movie’s main demographic—so maybe he hadn’t even seen it.

“Everything looks good,” she said as she browsed the menu. It felt wonderful to be dining out again, especially with Seth. For the first time in her life, she understood how all-consuming love could be. He treated her as though he cared about her, too. Even the way they’d made love had somehow grown more meaningful. But he hadn’t made any promises. Although she’d told herself not to worry about that, to let it come naturally and just live in the moment, there were times when she was afraid she’d unwittingly pulled the pin out of a grenade and was still standing there, holding it.

Seth pointed out the menu items he felt were best, and they ordered, but before their food could come, a woman and a man, who were being guided to a table just beyond theirs, noticed them and suddenly stopped.

“Oh, my gosh!” the woman cried.

Assuming she was about to encounter an excited fan that might alert the whole restaurant to her presence, Tia stiffened. But the woman wasn’t gaping at her; she was gaping at Seth.

“Is it really you?” she asked. “It’s been so long!”