Page 28 of The Wedding Pact

He shrugs a shoulder. ‘Yeah, well, none of them live in the world I do, so I guess they have a huge capacity to be starstruck.’

‘So it seems,’ I murmur.

He leans even closer, like he’s worried people might be trying to lipread what we’re saying to each other, and my skin gives another rush of joy.

He smells so great. Clean and masculine and spicy.

‘So what you’re telling me is I’ve actually brought one of the most famous women on the internet right now to this wedding, which was the exact opposite of my intention,’ he says wryly.

‘I wouldn’t say I’m that famous,’ I murmur.

‘No? Exactly how famous are you then?’

Just as he asks this, one of the older teenagers, who’s been standing in a huddle of them across from us, breaks ranks and comes strolling over to where we’re standing, looking nervous, but beaming widely at me.

‘Ida Fury. It’s so amazing to meet you. I love your show on HelSkel. I’ve been following you for ages. Way before you got so big. I’m a massive fan. I can’t believe you’re actually here! This so cool. My mates at college are not going to believe I’ve met you,’ he says, still looking nervous as hell – his cheeks pink, but his eyes bright.

‘Hey. Good to meet you. Thanks for watching,’ I say, stepping away from Raffa and flashing him a smile.

‘I never miss it. I’ve watched all of your reels. Can I get a selfie with you?’ he asks, his voice light and wobbly with nerves.

‘Sure you can,’ I say warmly.

He whips out his phone and we take a few selfies together, the kid checking with me before slinging his arm around my shoulders and pouting into the camera next to me.

‘Thanks so much,’ he says once he’s looked at his photos app and decided he’s happy with the pictures he’s taken. ‘Are you here for the whole week?’ he asks with clear hope in his voice.

‘I am, yes. Unless Raffa decides to kick me off the island,’ I joke, gesturing towards Raffa, who’s standing there with folded arms, looking bemused.

The kid just nods vaguely at him, like he’s of no real consequence.

Raffa dips a wry eyebrow at me in response, but I see a grin lurking there too.

‘Okay, great. Well, see you later, Ida,’ the kid says, backing away from us, then turning and walking back to the group of kids who have been gawping at us the whole time.

I turn back from watching them all slapping him on the back and leaning in to look at the photos he’s just taken of us on his phone to see that Raffa is full-on grinning at me.

‘What are you smiling about?’ I ask.

‘It’s funny how jittery and starstruck that strapping six-foot, hulk-of-a-kid was.’

I shrug, trying to appear nonchalant, even though the joy of being recognised and lauded is making my blood fizz with happiness.

‘What can I say? I’m adorable.’

‘You certainly are,’ Raffa says, still smiling. ‘Let’s get you a drink. What do you fancy?’

I stop myself from saying ‘You’ and turn to the bartender, who’s been waiting patiently for us to place our order.

‘I’ll have a Harvey Wallbanger please,’ I say to him.

‘I’ll just have a beer. Whatever’s good here,’ Raffa tells him.

The barman nods and moves away to start fixing my drink.

I lean in conspiratorially to Raffa and murmur, ‘I have absolutely no idea what I’ve just ordered. I read about someone ordering one in a book years ago and I’ve always wanted to try it. Now seems like the perfect time, for some reason. Maybe because this is all so otherworldly and unexpected, so I’m making the kinds of choices I’d never make in real life.’

‘You don’t consider this real life?’ he asks, his eyes flashing with mirth.