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He disappeared into the house, leaving Nina with her overwhelming guilt. A tiny inner voice told her that she was right. It was hypocritical of him to exclusively court women who chose to dress and make up extensively then be critical of them making for that choice. But it’s still none of my business—and rude to call him out on it so bluntly when he’s been very kind toward me.

Nina blew out a deep breath. It was going to be a stressful day. She drained her coffee and washed her mug then went to the pool, stripping to her bikini and doing some lengths. The flow of the cool water washed away some of her stress and the exertion worked the tension from her muscles. She lost track of time, and once she emerged, the air was getting hot.

She checked the time. Isla should be there in about an hour or so. Nina dried herself and put on her clothes, then went back to the bedroom to fetch her audio book. She brought it down and sat on the terrace, listening and trying not to think about how she’d hurt Cameron’s feelings or about what she’d read about Isla online.

Nina repeatedly checked her watch as the time ticked past ten. When it got to half-ten, her tension started to peak. Where the hell was Isla? She’d bailed the previous day and now she was late. If Cameron dropped her from the track, it’d be her own fault.

Eventually it got to eleven and Nina took out her phone to call Isla. It started ringing, but not just in her ear, she could hear it from within the house too. Is she here? She walked into the kitchen and Isla was coming along the hallway. Cam must’ve left the door open for her.

Isla glanced up from her phone screen. “No need to call. I’m here.”

Nina didn’t know what to say. She was walking on eggshells with Isla right now. She wracked her brain to think of something neutral. “Want a coffee?”

Isla nodded. “Please.”

Nina got the pot going, glancing at Isla along the way. She appeared tired.

Isla took a seat at the breakfast bar. “You’ve found your way around the kitchen pretty quick.”

Nina got out two mugs. “I stayed over last night.”

Isla raised her eyebrows. “Oh?”

“I ended up hanging out with these guys yesterday. I think they took pity on me not knowing anyone else out here.” That last sentence was a gamble. She stayed silent while she poured the coffee.

Isla took her mug from Nina. “I’m sorry for leaving you on your own.”

“It’s okay,” Nina said. “Cam and Ash looked after me.”

Isla nodded. Her eyes were sad.

Nina’s heart was heavy. She wasn’t sure how to get Isla to open up without making her angry again and that was an alien situation. She sipped her coffee.

Isla glanced toward the terrace. “Where’s Cam?”

“In the studio,” Nina said. “He’ll be expecting you. Want to go down?”

“Yeah,” Isla said, standing.

“Hold on,” said Nina. She got out another mug and poured one for Cam.

They made their way down, and once they arrived at the studio door, Nina peered through the window. Cameron was at the keyboard, his headphones on. She waved, hoping the movement would catch his eye rather than interrupting him abruptly by opening the door. He turned his head and waved them in.

Isla opened the door and went over to Cam, giving him a kiss on the cheek. He removed the headphones.

Nina handed him his coffee. “Thought you might want this.”

He smiled. “Mindreader.”

Her fingers brushed his and she met his gaze, hoping he might see the gesture as the olive branch it was intended to be. He took a sip then broke eye contact to go over to the desk.

Nina expected him to ask Isla what had kept her, but he didn’t. He started showing her what he’d done so far with the song. Nina sat on the large sofa that ran across the back of the room, watching them intently. Cam played back the track and Isla’s face lit up. She loves it. Nina smiled, hoping that today things would improve.

Cam took out a notepad and showed Isla a page. “I was thinking of changing the lyrics we talked about the other day.”

Isla took the pad and studied it, nodding. “These flow better.”

They started to discuss how the words might dovetail with the music and Nina tuned out, relieved that they seemed to be making headway. She finished her coffee and decided to make herself useful. It was about time she started earning her keep as PA. She stood and went over to the desk. “I’m going to go fix you guys some lunch. Any particular requests?”