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Cam ran a hand through his hair. “I’m just going to sort something in the studio. Anyone need anything before I go?”
“No thanks, babe,” said Ash.
Nina caught his eye, and something pulsed between them. She swallowed in an effort to lubricate her dry mouth. “No thanks.”
He held her gaze for another second then nodded and went into the house.
Nina lay back, feeling exhausted all of a sudden. The trip was turning out to be an emotional rollercoaster. She settled down to listen to Ash as she chatted away about various people Nina had never heard of.
* * * *
Cam leaned back in the studio swivel chair, glancing at the wall clock. He’d been in there a couple of hours. He rubbed his forehead, trying to stop thinking about what an idiot he’d made of himself by the pool before. He’d found himself so drawn to Nina that he’d been close to kissing her. What was I thinking? His girlfriend was living under the same roof and Nina was involved with his girlfriend’s ex, who was also involved with Nina’s best friend. It was like a bad soap opera. He shook his head. In any case, even if he and Nina were both single, he doubted she’d be interested. The celebrity lifestyle clearly wasn’t her thing, and she had much bigger fish to fry with her work, inventing medications that could save lives.
He sighed. She also lived in the UK and he was based over five thousand miles away. Except that she might go for that job in LA… He got up and opened the mini fridge, taking out a bottle of water and glugging half of it in one go. Stop being stupid. This is never going to happen. Typical that just as he had an epiphany regarding finding someone to connect with on a deeper level, the perfect candidate came but he wasn’t able to do anything about it. He couldn’t remember getting so close to someone so quickly—or perhaps at all. He’d already told her things that he hadn’t disclosed to anyone else, except for his mother and sister. There was something about her that pulled him in and made him trust her.
It wasn’t fair to Ash for him to be getting close to Nina, and even if he had been single, it would’ve been too messy with the love triangle going on between Nina, Isla and Zac.
He took a deep breath. Better go see how everyone was doing. He left the studio for the stairs, hoping Isla felt better soon. He could sympathise with life going off the rails. He’d struggled at first, being an introvert at heart. The temptation to ease the anxiety of fame and performance was to overindulge in unhealthy pastimes like partying too hard. He wanted to get the project done for Isla’s sake but also had a vested interest in it being over so he could distance himself from Nina.
He entered the kitchen. The sound of laughter drew him to the window. He smiled, watching Nina and Ash in the pool together.
“Hi.”
Cam turned. Isla had entered the room.
“Feeling any better?” He asked.
“Yes, thanks,” she said, taking a seat at the breakfast bar. “Sorry for flaking out.”
He shook his head. “It’s no problem. We’ve all been there.”
She smiled. “Not you. Your work ethic is too strong.”
He took a seat next to her. “Most of the time, but not always.”
“Thanks for trying to make me feel better,” she said.
“I’m not,” Cam said. “Well…I am. But it’s true.” He fiddled with a coaster. “You should talk to Nina.”
“I know,” she said, sighing. “I just keep messing it up. I don’t know why I feel so irritable all the time.”
There were footsteps on the terrace and Nina appeared. Cam tried to keep his eyes off the way her vest was clinging to her wet bikini top.
“All right?” Nina said, coming over and kissing Isla’s cheek.
Isla nodded, but her eyes appeared moist.
Cam caught Nina’s eye and they exchanged a silent look of concern.
Nina stroked Isla’s hair. “How about I make you some of my patented formula?”
Isla gave her a wobbly smile. “Yes please.”
Cam watched Nina put the kettle on. “What formula?”
“I used to make it for Isla when she had a cold or something. It helped her throat,” said Nina. “I need some honey and lemon.”
Cam stood and opened one of the cupboards, passing her a jar of honey and bottle of lemon juice. Nina made the drink with hot water. She moved her shoulder in front of his gaze as she placed the quantities of the ingredients into the mug. “Hey. This is a secret recipe, so no peeking.” She winked at Isla, who laughed.
