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Cam came over, placing the towel across his shoulders. “Sleep okay?” He reached into the cupboard next to her, and she squeezed her eyes shut in an effort not to stare at his body.

“Great, thanks,” she said, opening her eyes again before he noticed.

He poured some coffee. “Good. I didn’t think you’d be awake this early.”

“I’m an early riser,” she said.

He nodded. “Me too.” He took a sip. “Not like Ash… She could sleep all day.”

For some reason Nina felt a needle of resentment at that comment. Maybe it was the stress of receiving Isla’s belligerent message. She decided not to acknowledge it. “Been working out?

“Yeah,” he said. “I’m going to grab a shower then get into the studio. I usually get some time in before Ash wakes, because she gets annoyed if I’m in there once she’s around.” He drank from his mug. “She needs constant attention.”

The sliver of annoyance grew stronger. He must’ve known what Ash’s characteristics were when he’d gotten into a relationship with her, so why was he being critical? Probably because a woman’s looks were the only attribute that interested him.

Nina sipped her coffee. “Isla said she’d be here at ten.”

He checked his watch. “Cool. Do you need anything before I go? There’re some croissants and some cereal.”

She calmed her simmering temper. What he thought or said about his girlfriend was none of her business. And he was being nothing but pleasant toward her. “Thank you. I’ll fend for myself. You get your shower.”

He smiled and left the kitchen, rubbing at his hair with the towel as he went. Nina forced herself not to admire him from behind.

She went out to the terrace with her coffee, taking a croissant with her. She bit into it, savouring the buttery taste as she scrolled through her new Twitter feed. She perused Ash’s posts and wondered if she should also create an Instagram account and follow Ash on there too, though perhaps it would make more sense to come to grips with just one social media app first. Nina moved on to scrolling through Cam’s page. She could tell from knowing him that it was someone else posting on his behalf.

Nina decided to search Isla and see what people were saying about her. She smiled as she read things that Isla’s fans had said, moving from one post to another and scrolling through the comments. She frowned when a negative one came into view, then another. Nina followed one troll to the next, nauseated by some of the horrible things that internet strangers had said about her friend’s music, her personality and also her appearance. Bastards. Why would they be so nasty? They wouldn’t say such awful things to her face, and what was the need for it? Why put such vile energy out into the world instead of just keeping quiet and only commenting on the things a person did like?

She put the phone down in disgust just as Cam appeared onto the terrace. “More coffee?” he asked, holding the pot.

“Yes, please,” she said, still thinking about the terrible excuses for human beings she’d just witnessed online. She’d been right to stay off social media. It was too negative. A horrible thought occurred to her. What if Isla read all that awful stuff? As much as it pained Nina, it was bound to be a hundred times worse for poor Isla. Nausea washed over her. What if Isla’s parents read it—or her little sister?

Cameron was pouring the coffee. “Ash isn’t awake yet, so I’m going into the studio. Even if she rises soon, it’ll be okay, because it takes her that long to do her makeup and choose an outfit.”

Nina’s stress over Isla and her jealousy surrounding Cam’s choice of girlfriend caused her frayed temper to snap. “There’s nothing wrong with her wanting to look good, you know.”

He paused, raising his eyebrows. “I’m not saying that—”

“You should be glad that she wants to make an effort for you, and more to the point, for herself. Women are allowed to do whatever they want with their appearance for their own benefit. Their actions don’t revolve around you.”

He appeared stunned into silence, and Nina ignored the inner voice that told her she was taking out her hurt over Isla on him—and her jealousy. “You chose her because you like her appearance and the effort she puts into it. That’s what does it for you. So don’t go on to complain about her doing that or how long it takes to achieve.”

She finally managed to bite her tongue, immediately feeling terrible. It wasn’t just her stress talking but also her resentment that he’d never find her attractive in the way that he did Ash and all those other women she’d seen online. And maybe there was some truth in what she’d said, but it was none of her business.

He studied her, frowning. “I didn’t mean it like that, Nina.”

She winced, expecting him to lay into her and tell her his relationship was none of her concern. And he would be correct. It wasn’t. They hardly even knew each other. Plus, she was in his house accepting his hospitality.

But he didn’t. He just kept appraising her with a concerned expression.

She sighed. “Cam, I’m sorry. I had no right to say any of that.”

His tone was gentle. “Then why did you?”

She hesitated. She couldn’t tell him that she was jealous. “I’m just worried about Isla.”

He nodded. “Listen… I’ll give you some space.” He rose from the table. “If you need anything, just come down.”

“Okay,” she said, her throat dry.