"For what?"
"Talking incessantly for the past half hour," she said with a laugh. "Probably boring you to death."
"The last adjective I would use to describe you is boring."
She flushed at his words. "Well, thank you for that. I still can't believe you bought that record player just so you could hear their music, especially since you don't even allow me to turn on the radio in the car."
"That was an overreaction," he allowed.
"You think?" she teased. "So, you do listen to music."
"Not much, but when I do it's not country. I've been staying away from that."
"Are you afraid one of your songs will come on the radio?"
"I'm not sure how much they're being played anymore, but I haven't wanted to take that chance. I am curious to hear Reina's voice, though. I did find two of Anita's songs online that I listened to the other day."
Surprise flashed in her eyes. "Really?"
"Yes, but I couldn't find any of Reina's songs. I wonder if she sounds like her sister or if there's a difference."
"I'd like to hear the records, too."
"We can do it when we get back."
His words made her glance at her watch, and then she frowned. "We need to get going. I promised Lexie I'd stop by the Art Nest for her photography show. Do you mind going with me? It will be faster than if I have to take you back to Ocean Shores first. I have to get to work by three."
He hesitated. It was one thing to hang out in San Diego, a busy city miles away from Ocean Shores, and another to go to the art gallery in Oceanside very close to where he'd seen the photographer a few days ago.
"It won't take that long," Kaia said.
"It's not the time involved…"
"It's the possibility of getting photographed again," she said. "Do you really care? Because I'm not worried about getting caught in a picture with you. I'm not famous. It doesn't matter what anyone thinks of me."
"You have no idea what it's like to become a target of online hate. Many people believe I hurt Wren. And her fans would like to have my head for that. If you're seen with me, you could become the target of the same hate."
She frowned. "Okay, I get it. Maybe I am being naïve. But there are already photos of us together. So, I can't stop whatever is going to come from that. I doubt it will get any worse with more photos. But if you're really concerned, I'll drop you off and then go to the gallery."
He felt bad for making her go out of her way when they might not even run into anyone from the media.
"It's fine. I'll go," he said shortly. "I know you have to work later. I don't want to make your life more difficult."
"I think it will be okay," she said. "And I know Lexie will appreciate you being there."
"I'm sure she'll be happier that you're there. You really show up for your friends, don't you, Kaia?"
"We show up for each other. I think that's part of the definition of being a friend."
"Not everyone shows up."
Her gaze narrowed. "Did your friends show up for you when all the bad stuff happened? Or did you not let them?"
"Maybe I didn't stick around long enough to find out," he conceded. "There was a lot going on."
"And you couldn't or wouldn't explain."
Kaia was not just pretty and smart; she was also perceptive. "There was that, too."
