Celine returns before noon, apologizing a hundred times for the delay.

“The doctor went into an emergency surgery, so I had to wait.”

I smile and tell her it’s perfectly fine. I’m still in the Alan and Brienne mood. I think it was a good thing that I didn’t go to the inn first thing this morning. I should first find out what’s going on with the photos to know what to say and how to approach this.

“Glad to see you in a good mood. I was worried a bit this morning,” she says.

“Sorry,” I say. “I’m good now.”

“Don’t apologize. I guess what I was trying to say is that if you need to talk about anything, I make a mean coffee and I’m a good listener.”

“I know,” I say, the smile still on my face.

I wish I could talk to her. I do have Alisa and she’s been amazing, but she’s not here with me. And Alisa doesn’t personally know Ethan or Aaron or anyone in this small town.

“Maybe tonight, over dinner? I plan on finally cooking something decent for us.”

I don’t know if I’m ready to tell the truth. Ethan didn’t say anything to her and I can’t help but wonder why. If he wanted to get rid of me, all he had to do was tell his sister who I am. Or he could’ve asked me to leave. But maybe it’s on purpose. This way, he’s letting me stew in my own ‘manipulating’ juice.

I googled my name on and off all morning on my phone. I googled Ethan’s name. Nothing for me and nothing new for him. If the photos were headed online, they would’ve been published by now. I think I’m in the clear; I think I’m OK. I should go; talk to Aaron.

One of the customers who’s sitting at a table in the corner is reading the local newspaper—which I assume he brought in because we didn’t have it on the shelf earlier—and raises his eyes, giving me a questioning look.

“Can I bring you something else?” I ask.

He shakes his head and goes back to reading.

As I’m scouring the place for Celine, planning to tell her I’m leaving, I see her at one of the tables outside, taking someone’s order. A customer from the table next to it turns the newspaper he’s holding toward her and shows her something in it.

Celine and the man exchange awkward glances. The look on her face. On his face.

My blood freezes. The customer… the customer is Aaron. This isn’t happening!

My hands start to shake. It can’t be. I rush to the man by the window.

“Can I have the newspaper for a second?” I ask. “Just want to see something.”

“Are you looking for this?” he asks. “I thought it might be you but wasn’t sure.”

I try not to panic. The paper is open at the entertainment section. Half a page and a photo.