But Tia didn’t let him get away with it, either. “Making a few exceptions here and there for work doesn’t count. That you don’t have more support for your argument is concerning.”

“Being a little eccentric is good for my image.”

“That’s how you view yourself?”

“That’s how I hope others view me.” He preferred they not see more than what he expressed in his art, because as far as he was concerned, he was too normal, had all the same needs and desires as other people no matter how hard he tried to quash them.

“Then, you might have your wish. You’ve been characterized as a tortured soul.”

“Sounds like Maxi has had a lot to say about me.”

“I haven’t been talking to Maxi,” she said. “I looked you up online.”

When he finally sat down across from her, he was careful not to stare at the scars on her face. He was curious enough that he wanted to examine them more closely, but they didn’t bother him. Maybe it was because he’d never known her any other way. “You braved the internet on my account? I’m flattered.”

“Don’t be,” she said with a scowl. “I was just curious.”

“I’m disappointed.”

“Because...”

“I’m no longer shrouded in mystery.”

She didn’t comment on his sarcasm. “Why didn’t you tell me you were once married?”

He’d poured her some coffee while she was saying hello to Kiki. Now he slid the cream and sugar over to her. “Because it’s no longer relevant.”

As she watched him start to eat, he could tell she had something on her mind. “What are you thinking?” he asked.

“Would you mind if I asked just one thing about her?”

He knew who Tia was referring to—and preferred she didn’t. “Whatever you want to know, I’m sure it’s on the internet.”

“I couldn’t find this. But never mind.” She went back to her own meal. “I’m sorry for being so nosy. It’s none of my business.”

Feeling the added distance between them—distance he’d put there just now—he sat back with a sigh. His psychologist, back when he had one as a ward of the state, had told him he had to lower his defenses and open up, and he knew he’d just done the opposite. “Go ahead and ask.”

“No, it’s okay.”

“Come on. It’s only fair. I know more about your situation than you’d probably like me to,” he pointed out.

“That’s true,” she admitted.

“So I’ll give you one question.”

She took a sip of her coffee. “Fine. But if it’s too hard to answer, I’ll understand.”

“I’ll manage,” he said drily.

“I was just wondering how Shiloh died. I mean, she was so young. Was it cancer or an accident or something like that?”