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Cam handed her the bottle. He met her eyes for a second in silence. “I’ve just remembered something. Hold on a sec.” He stood and went inside.

Nina finished applying the lotion everywhere else.

Isla’s voice carried over the deck. “Did you enjoy that?”

Nina lifted her head and Isla was in the exact same position, but now with a smile on her face. “Isla, were you pretending to be asleep that whole time?”

“Maybe.”

Cameron appeared carrying three glasses and an ice bucket containing a bottle of champagne. He popped the cork and poured them a glass each. Isla took hers and turned onto her back to sip it. Cameron settled next to Nina, raising his glass toward her. She met his gaze and smiled, her pulse quickening as she clinked her glass to his in the gesture that now seemed to be their thing.

* * * *

Nina rubbed her eyes. Cam and Isla were making headway in the studio. Not that she understood much about the process, but it was clear that things were going well. She hadn’t seen Isla this happy the whole trip, and Cameron had a kind of glow about him, almost as if his inner Logan was coming out.

Once they’d stepped off the yacht, Isla had declared that they should go back to the studio and make a start on the recording. Cam had reassured her they didn’t have to rush but there’d been no stopping her. Nina was glad Isla had insisted, given the joy it seemed to be bringing the two of them. Nina had been providing them with regular food and drink over the seven or eight hours they’d been down there and listening to her audiobook on the studio sofa in the in-between times. She checked her watch. It was after ten p.m. She gestured to Cam that she was going to the kitchen to get them more sustenance. Her gave her a thumbs-up as he nodded his head to the music.

Nina climbed the stairs to the kitchen and started pulling together some snacks and drinks. Her phone buzzed in her pocket so she paused to lift it. It was Ash’s number. Nina was ashamed to realise she’d forgotten all about Ash and hadn’t thought to enquire why she hadn’t returned. She also had the feeling the others hadn’t remembered either. Guilt washed over her as she connected the call. “Hey, Ash.”

“Hi. How’re you guys?”

“Good thanks. The others are working in the studio.”

“That’s awesome,” Ash said.

“Where’re you?” Nina asked. She thought she could hear someone else in the background.

“Just out with some friends,” Ash said quickly. “I’m heading back soon, though. I still feel a little nauseated.”

“Sorry to hear that,” Nina said. “Are you coming into the studio?”

“Nah, I think I’ll just head to bed.” Ash paused. “Hey, listen. My friend Aubrey was telling me that her friend Verity is pregnant, but she doesn’t know who the father is. She’s wondering whether she can find that out during the pregnancy, and I said I’d ask you because you know about science.”

Nina smiled. Ash was always telling her intimate details about the lives of people she would never know. “I’m not that well versed in human reproductive biology, but I do know that nowadays you can get non-invasive paternity testing. There are US-based companies online who’ll do a blood test on the mother and mouth swab on the father then determine if he’s the dad or not.”

“Cool,” Ash said slowly. “That’s great, thanks. I’ll tell Aubrey then Verity can google it or something. Anyway, have a good night and I’ll see you in the morning.”

“No worries. Hope you feel better.” Nina ended the call, finished making the food and drinks, then carried it to the studio. She pushed the door open. Isla was out of the booth, jumping up and down in delight.

Nina grinned. “Good news?”

“Yep,” Isla said, “the vocal is done.” She gestured at Cam, who was frowning in concentration as he fiddled with the decks. “Cam just needs to work his magic, and that is it.”

Nina sighed. “What a relief. I didn’t even realise how stressed I was about it until things started coming good.”

Isla’s smile faded a little and she put her arms around Nina. “I’m sorry I stressed you. You don’t need it right now.”

Nina gave her a squeeze. “It’s fine. That’s what I’m here for.” She pulled back and only then registered that Isla had her denim jacket on. “Are you calling it a night?”

Isla glanced at the floor. “Cam said he could take it from here, so I thought I’d head out…”

Nina nodded slowly. “To see Zac?”

Isla cleared her throat. “Yeah.”

Nina’s heart sank to her sandals, but she tried to hide it. “Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow then?”

Isla gave her a cautious smile. “Definitely. We could meet for brunch?”