Zoe would have more understanding than Aleksei realizes for the problem of getting lost in a pair of blue eyes. And probably more understanding than he'd want her to have.

"I'm headed that way too," she says, pushing her bag onto her shoulder. "If you'd like some company." There's a shop that makes homemade soaps and creams - and scrubs that they've been experimenting with using the new ocean's salt for - and more than one of her female relatives is probably getting a gift basket this year.