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Nina rubbed her chin and pursed her lips. “I suppose that might explain how I ended up in that sex dungeon one time.”

Cam laughed, nearly spraying his water across the table. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Remind me to ask you a bunch of stuff in my old accent later. See what I can get you to agree to.”

She raised her eyebrows and he held her gaze for a second. Is he flirting with me? It seemed like it. Even by the pool earlier she’d gotten that feeling. But she must be imagining it. She couldn’t be his type—just look at Ash and her lifestyle. Nina was very ordinary in comparison. She cleared her throat. “I’m afraid you won’t get away with that. I can understand everything now that I’ve lived there a few years.”

He grinned. “Darn it.”

Nina smiled and tried her steak. “This is delicious.”

“I’m glad you like it,” he said.

Nina tried a bit of everything on her plate and it was sublime. Cam was talented in the kitchen as well as behind the decks. She wondered where else he might possess abilities then suppressed that thought before she started fantasising about his bedroom prowess.

“You know that when Isla signed with this label, she had to have a few elocution lessons?” she said.

“Yeah, sometimes you have to do that for your media training,” he said. “Otherwise, no one knows what you’re saying at interviews.” He smiled. “You can’t get away with inviting anyone to a sex dungeon these days.”

Nina laughed.

There were footsteps behind her and Ash came out onto the deck. She was wearing a satin gown and appeared impossibly beautiful. Nina stood to kiss her cheek. “You look gorgeous.”

“So do you,” said Ash, twirling Nina around. “That dress is much better on you than me. You should keep it.”

Nina shook her head. “I couldn’t.”

“I insist,” said Ash and gestured for her to sit again. “No arguments.”

Nina took her seat, unable to believe how generous both of them were. “Thank you. That’s very kind.”

Ash smiled and took a sip of her wine, then tasted her food. “This is great. Thanks, babe.”

Cam shook his head, his glass at his lips. “No problem.” He sipped his wine and caught Nina’s eye.

Ash swallowed another mouthful. “Has Isla called?”

Nina shook her head, her heart sinking. “I messaged her but no reply. I’ll try again later.” She looked at Cam. “What about Noah? Any news?”

Cam nodded. “I called him while I was cooking. He’s still got abdominal pain and vomiting, so he’s taking it easy.”

Nina frowned. “Sounds pretty bad.”

“I told him to call the hotel doctor,” Cam said. “He said he would.”

“I hope so,” Nina said.

Ash touched Nina’s hand. “Tell me more about yourself. Have you got a boyfriend? Or a girlfriend?”

Nina shook her head. “I was with a guy until about three months ago. The split was one of the reasons I made the impulsive decision to jack in my job.”

She glanced at Cam, who was watching her as he ate. Ash nodded. “I get that. New beginnings and all?”

“Yep,” said Nina. “I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing, though.”

“You’ll find your way,” said Ash. “You’re too clever not to.”

Nina smiled. “Thanks.”

Ash took out her phone. “I wonder if there’re any science guys on Insta. We could try to get you a gig somewhere.”