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Cam smiled. He realised that the effort of making the drink was more to lift Isla’s spirits than make any real difference to her voice.

He took a seat again and Nina presented Isla with her mug, sitting on her other side. “Thank you,” Isla said.

“No problem,” Nina said. “I need to pull my weight as PA.”

Isla smiled. “Your talents run way past fetching food and drink.”

Nina sucked air in through her teeth. “I’m afraid my other talent on showcase for today is being bossy.” She met Cam’s eye and he nodded, able to read where she was going with this.

“I think,” Nina said, “that it’s best if we call it a day in the studio.” She was monitoring Isla carefully, clearly gauging her reaction. “I don’t think a couple of hours is enough for your voice to recover, and we don’t want to cause any damage.” She went silent, watching Isla.

Isla swirled her drink in the mug. She sighed. “Yeah, you’re right.” She glanced at Cam. “Is that okay with you?”

“Of course,” he said. “We need you at your best.”

“We’ll get right back on it tomorrow,” said Isla.

“No pressure,” said Cam. “Let’s see how you feel in the morning, then decide.”

Isla smiled and it appeared her eyes were filling up. “Thank you.”

Nina was looking at him over Isla’s shoulder. She mouthed thank you.

“My pleasure,” he said, addressing Isla but meeting Nina’s gaze.

“Right,” said Nina. “We’ve encroached on the hospitality of these good people for long enough. Well, I have anyway. Let’s go back to the hotel and grab some dinner.”

Cam’s heart sank at the thought that Nina would be leaving, even though it would be for the best in order to give him a chance at his previous vow to put some distance between them. “Are you sure?” he said. “You’re both more than welcome to stay over.”

“Thank you,” said Nina. “But we’ll leave you to it.”

He nodded. “I’ll just let Ash know you’re going.” He went to the terrace and called on Ash, who was lying on a lounger. He gestured for her to come into the house.

Cameron turned back to where Nina was gathering her things into her beach bag. Ash appeared by his side. Her face fell. “Are you guys going?”

“Yes,” said Nina. “But thanks so much for having me.”

“It was so much fun,” Ash said. Cameron thought her voice sounded a bit strained. But he was probably imagining it.

“We’ll see you again soon,” Nina said.

Cameron noticed that Isla was standing with her arms folded, not looking at Ash and Nina.

“Hey,” Ash said, “can I get your number?”

“Course,” said Nina, and told her the digits. Ash typed them into her phone.

“I’ll meet you outside,” said Isla. “I just got a message that the cab is on its way.” She left the room.

Ash hugged Nina then went over to rummage in the fridge. Cam followed Nina out of the kitchen to the front door. Isla was standing farther along the driveway, staring down the hill road.

He turned to Nina to say goodbye but before he could speak, she put her arms around him. He froze for a second, taken by surprise. She smelled gorgeous and the feel of her pressing against him was sending his pulse through the roof. He managed to recover and lift his arms around her waist, returning her hug.

“Thank you,” she said, pulling back to meet his gaze.

He lost himself in her deep-brown, amber-flecked eyes. “What for?”

“For being kind to me—and to Isla.”